The end of a job is often the point where a client is most keen to move on, and that keenness is exactly what a weak snagging process relies on. A short list of specific checks, done properly at this stage, protects the outcome of the whole project.
None of this is about being difficult with a contractor who has otherwise done a good job — it's about closing the project the way it should be closed, with a documented list and the right paperwork in hand.
Insist on a written list, not a verbal walk-through
Whatever is agreed during a snagging walk-round should end up as a written list, with each item clear enough that both sides would describe it the same way later. A verbal 'yes, we'll sort that' with nothing written down is very easy to forget or dispute weeks later.
If the contractor doesn't produce a written list themselves, write your own during the walk-round and ask them to confirm it in writing — either is fine, but a shared written record is not optional.
Check the list in daylight, room by room
Artificial light in the evening hides far more than daylight does, so timing the walk-round for a bright part of the day makes a genuine difference to what gets caught.
- Paint finish and coverage, viewed in natural light
- Joinery: doors closing cleanly, drawers running smoothly, gaps at skirtings and architraves
- Sealant and grout lines in wet areas
- Function: every switch, socket, tap and appliance actually working
Don't release final payment before the list is closed
Final payment is the strongest incentive most clients have to get outstanding items finished promptly. Releasing it in full before the snagging list is closed removes that incentive and, in practice, often means smaller items simply don't get finished.
Some contracts include a retention — a small percentage held back until the defects period or a final inspection — specifically to manage this. Whether or not a formal retention is in place, the principle of not paying everything before the job is genuinely complete is worth holding to.
Check every piece of paperwork is actually handed over
Ask for warranties, certificates and manuals to be handed over as physical or digital documents, not promised verbally as 'coming later'. It's much easier to chase paperwork while the contractor is still actively working with you than months after the final invoice is paid.
Make a specific list of what you're expecting — electrical certificate, gas safety record, building control sign-off, appliance manuals — and check each item off individually rather than accepting a general 'it's all sorted'.
Confirm the defects period and how to use it
Ask explicitly how long the defects period runs and how to report something if it appears afterwards. Get this in writing rather than relying on a verbal assurance that 'we'll come back if there's a problem'.
It's worth reporting anything you notice during this period in writing, with a photo where relevant, even for something minor — a clear written record protects you if a larger issue with the same cause emerges later.
Common questions
Should I pay in full before snagging is finished?+
It's sensible to hold back a final amount, whether through an agreed retention or simply timing the last payment, until the snagging list is confirmed closed. Paying in full beforehand removes the main incentive to finish small outstanding items.
What paperwork should I insist on at handover?+
Electrical and gas certificates where relevant, building control completion where applicable, product warranties, and manuals for any equipment installed. Ask for a specific list and check each item off.
What if I find a defect after handover?+
Report it in writing, with photographs, during the agreed defects period. This creates a clear record and should be covered by the original contractor rather than treated as a new job.
Ask us what your handover pack will include
We agree a written snagging list, close every item, and hand over full certificates before final payment is due.