A Day in the Life of a Snagging Surveyor: What You Don’t See on the Report
- Richard SAVAGE
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
The Part of Snagging No One Talks About
Most people think a snagging survey is simply turning up with a clipboard and listing defects.
But the truth is… that’s only half the job.
The real work — the human side — happens in conversations with site managers, in the loft when you spot something no one else has noticed, and months after the report when a homeowner messages you for reassurance at 9pm on a Tuesday.
That’s the part of snagging I love. And it’s the part most new-build buyers don’t realise they’re actually paying for.
When Snagging Becomes Problem-Solving
One recent survey in Yorkshire perfectly sums this up.
I arrived on site, and almost immediately spotted signs of an issue with external drainage. Rather than simply photographing it and adding it to the report, I had a chat with the Site Manager from Avant Homes, lifted the drain covers, and showed him exactly what was going on.
Debris. Soil. Enough to cause a blockage within weeks.
Within the hour, I watched the drains being cleared with a high-pressure jetter.
That’s the difference a proactive snagging surveyor makes.
Not just identifying problems, but helping fix them before they become expensive, stressful surprises.
The homeowner was relieved.
The Site Manager was grateful.
Indeed, I was glad I’d prevented a headache they didn’t know was coming.
Aftercare Doesn’t Stop at the Report
One of my favourite parts of the job is staying connected with clients long after they’ve moved in.
Take Dr Mo, a Paediatric Consultant at Scarborough Hospital. I carried out his snagging survey between Christmas and New Year 2024. Months later — in May 2025 — he messaged me on WhatsApp about cracking around the tops of his internal walls.
To his surprise, I replied within 45 minutes.
Because when I say you’ve got a friend for life after a snagging survey, I mean it.
Sometimes people just need reassurance.
Sometimes they need advice on what’s normal seasonal movement and what’s not.
Either way, they’re never left guessing.
Why I Do Things This Way as a Snagging Surveyor
Snagging isn’t just about homes.
It’s about helping people feel safe, confident and protected when they’ve just made one of the biggest purchases of their lives.
That’s why I:
liaise directly with developers
point out issues in real time
give practical advice on the day
provide clear, photographic reports
respond to questions months later
treat every home like I’m moving into it myself
It’s also why reviews like these mean so much:
★★★★★ “Richard took it upon himself to liaise with the site manager and had all the potentially severe snags resolved there and then… The developer accepted all 40+ snags reported.”
★★★★★ “Rikki is very experienced and helpful… I’m still texting him with questions on my new build and he’s very generously answering.”
★★★★★ “Really happy with the report quality, turnaround time, and time spent to produce it.”
Behind every report is a real family who wants to move in with confidence, and that’s the part of the job I take most seriously.
What You Don’t See on the Snagging Report
A snagging report can tell you what’s wrong.
But it doesn’t show:
the conversation that turned a potential issue into an on-the-spot fix
the reassurance message I send two months later
the relief on someone’s face when something is resolved before move-in day
the years of construction experience behind every judgement call
the advocacy you get when I speak to developers on your behalf
Those bits don’t make the PDF.
But they make all the difference.
Thinking of Booking a Snagging Survey?
If you’re buying a new build in Yorkshire or the North East, and you want a snagging surveyor who goes beyond box-ticking, that’s exactly what I do.
You’ll get:
a detailed snagging inspection
a clear, plain-English report
photographic evidence for your developer
support before and after move-in
guidance backed by 20+ years in construction and quality management
the reassurance of knowing nothing is left to chance
or
Your new home deserves a thorough check, and you deserve the peace of mind that comes with it.
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