Scope of Inspection & Disclaimer

1. What a snagging inspection is

A snagging inspection is a visual and functional inspection of the finish, workmanship and operation of a newly built home, carried out against the standards the developer and warranty provider have adopted (for example NHBC Standards, the New Homes Quality Code and relevant British Standards). Its purpose is to identify defects for the buyer to raise with the developer.

2. What it is not

• It is not a structural survey, a building survey, a RICS HomeBuyer report or an engineering assessment.
• It is not a valuation and must not be relied on for mortgage or purchase decisions.
• It is not a specialist survey for damp, timber, asbestos, drainage, ground conditions or any other specialist matter.
• The electrical check is not an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and no electrical or gas safety certificate is issued unless expressly agreed in writing.

3. Non-intrusive as standard

Unless you have booked an intrusive inspection, our inspection is non-intrusive. We do not remove fixed parts, lift floor coverings or floorboards, move furniture or stored items, open sealed units, or disturb insulation. We report on what is visible and accessible on the day. Defects that are concealed, covered or inaccessible cannot be identified and are excluded.

4. Intrusive inspection

Where an intrusive inspection is booked, we will remove and reinstate the items listed on our pricing page, with your written permission and, where the home is not yet legally yours, the developer’s permission. We take reasonable care in removal and reinstatement. We are not responsible for pre-existing damage or for fixings, seals or finishes that fail on removal because of the way they were originally installed. Areas not listed remain excluded.

5. No guarantee that every defect is found

We carry out the inspection with reasonable skill and care. Some defects only become apparent after a home has been occupied, heated and dried out, and some cannot be seen without intrusive work. We do not guarantee that every defect is identified, and the report should not be treated as a statement that the home is free of defects other than those listed.

6. Re-inspection

A re-inspection reports on the condition of the items on the original report at the time of the re-inspection visit. It is not a guarantee of the developer’s repair work and does not make us responsible for that work or for defects that arise afterwards.

7. Our role with the developer

We report to you. We do not act as your agent, negotiator or representative with the developer, warranty provider or any other party, and we accept no responsibility for whether or when the developer carries out any work. Any use of our report in a complaint, dispute or ombudsman process is your decision.

8. The report

The report is prepared for you, the client named on the booking, for the property and date stated. It may be shared with your developer, solicitor and warranty provider for the purpose of raising the defects. It must not be relied on by any other person, and we accept no responsibility to anyone other than you.

9. Limitation of liability

Nothing in this document limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for anything else that cannot lawfully be limited. Subject to that, our total liability to you arising from an inspection is limited to the fee paid for that inspection. We are not liable for loss of profit, loss of opportunity or any indirect or consequential loss.

10. Insurance

New House Inspections holds public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. Certificates are available on request.

Draft for review. Insurance limits, company details and any changes advised by our insurer or solicitor to be added before launch.