Spend money on Snagging or not?

FrankC21

Hi,

The date has been set for snagging, I am wondering do we really have to hire somebody to do the snagging or is it sufficient to do it ourselves?

If we do hire somebody can we actually go there with him?

charlietheminxx

FrankC21 wrote: »

Hi,

The date has been set for snagging, I am wondering do we really have to hire somebody to do the snagging or is it sufficient to do it ourselves?

If we do hire somebody can we actually go there with him?

Unless you’re experienced with what to look for, it’s definitely worth it. It’s a couple of hundred euro for peace of mind.

We went with our snagger, he spotted things we didn’t. We were too excited about the house to pick up some of the small cosmetic stuff.

godtabh

You also then have some come back if they don’t spot something. Can’t sue yourself

FrankC21

I guess you guys are right, we will probably miss something minor yet important, our solicitor recommended one but for €500, but that is too much, he also advised us to look somewhere cheaper.

charlietheminxx

FrankC21 wrote: »

I guess you guys are right, we will probably miss something minor yet important, our solicitor recommended one but for €500, but that is too much, he also advised us to look somewhere cheaper.

What county is the house in? Maybe some of us can PM recommendations?

Dolbhad

Not to be mean but it’s the most expensive thing you will buy. Okay maybe you can get someone cheaper but I think it’s madness to entertain not getting a snag list done for a few hundred. If you’ll spend that on a couch, you can spend it on a Snag list.

Anybody I know has bought a new build has paid for a snag list and not one has come back and said there is nothing on the list. Hopefully it’s minor list and mostly stuff you wouldn’t spot (you will be so happy to get in you will overlook anything) but I had friends with snags list of rooms or the house not painted, cracks in windows and tiles, doors not closing properly, driveways not being done or steps to high so it’s difficult to drive a car in it. Some builders are great, some aren’t.

Also once builder gets money he’s gone. You are bottom of list to the get him back to fix anything cause he’s on the next house trying to get paid. Esp so close to Christmas break (banks tend to stop issuing funds second week of December) builders may push for a house and say it’s done and you could actually have a detailed snag list.

FrankC21

Dolbhad wrote: »

Not to be mean but it’s the most expensive thing you will buy. Okay maybe you can get someone cheaper but I think it’s madness to entertain not getting a snag list done for a few hundred. If you’ll spend that on a couch, you can spend it on a Snag list.

Anybody I know has bought a new build has paid for a snag list and not one has come back and said there is nothing on the list. Hopefully it’s minor list and mostly stuff you wouldn’t spot (you will be so happy to get in you will overlook anything) but I had friends with snags list of rooms or the house not painted, cracks in windows and tiles, doors not closing properly, driveways not being done or steps to high so it’s difficult to drive a car in it. Some builders are great, some aren’t.

Also once builder gets money he’s gone. You are bottom of list to the get him back to fix anything cause he’s on the next house trying to get paid. Esp so close to Christmas break (banks tend to stop issuing funds second week of December) builders may push for a house and say it’s done and you could actually have a detailed snag list.

Our snagging is on the 29th November, I have a feeling we will drawdown next year??

FrankC21

charlietheminxx wrote: »

What county is the house in? Maybe some of us can PM recommendations?

Co. Louth, Drogheda

Dolbhad

FrankC21 wrote: »

Our snagging is on the 29th November, I have a feeling we will drawdown next year??

Well you might pull off getting keys for Christmas if the snag list is small and the items can be done and checked in a fews days. That’s to give your solicitor time to request funds from the Bank. This is all assuming the legals on builders side is in order and signed. Some loan offers it seems from boards are giving extra incentives if you drawn down before the end of the year. I say touch base with your solicitor and see can it be done.

FrankC21

Dolbhad wrote: »

Well you might pull off getting keys for Christmas if the snag list is small and the items can be done and checked in a fews days. That’s to give your solicitor time to request funds from the Bank. This is all assuming the legals on builders side is in order and signed. Some loan offers it seems from boards are giving extra incentives if you drawn down before the end of the year. I say touch base with your solicitor and see can it be done.

Our solicitor expect the closing in three weeks time, Hopefully everything is in order, it will be nice to get the keys before Christmas.

lfc200

FrankC21 wrote: »

Hi,

The date has been set for snagging, I am wondering do we really have to hire somebody to do the snagging or is it sufficient to do it ourselves?

If we do hire somebody can we actually go there with him?

Absolutely do. They'll check boundaries etc not just purely cosmetic things. They'll also check to make sure various parts of the house meet regulations eg head height on stairs, accessibility into bathroom etc etc.
In my opinion it's too important not to have a professional do it...

Dolbhad

FrankC21 wrote: »

Our solicitor expect the closing in three weeks time, Hopefully everything is in order, it will be nice to get the keys before Christmas.

That’s a good sign if your solicitor has you on their Xmas list for closing. Just check you have everything in place with bank - life insurance, house insurance, valuation in date and direct debit mandate so once you see the snag list and have a date the jobs will be done by you can let solicitor know your happy to close. Good luck! Hope you get in for Christmas break.

As previous poster said they can check boundaries also. That’s important to get done.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

FrankC21 wrote: »

Our solicitor expect the closing in three weeks time, Hopefully everything is in order, it will be nice to get the keys before Christmas.

You draw down before closing you know. If your solicitor expects to close in 3 weeks, then they expect you to have your keys in 3 weeks

Gumbo

godtabh wrote: »

You also then have some come back if they don’t spot something. Can’t sue yourself

I’ve never heard of a snagger being sued before to be honest.
A snag is a visual survey and will be finished with a disclaimer that what was spoofed on the day. Hidden things like plumbing, electrics etc are not checked.

I fail to see what a typical case against a snagger would be.

Gumbo

lfc200 wrote: »

Absolutely do. They'll check boundaries etc not just purely cosmetic things. They'll also check to make sure various parts of the house meet regulations eg head height on stairs, accessibility into bathroom etc etc.
In my opinion it's too important not to have a professional do it...

Snagging does not involve a boundary check. You are confusing this with a building survey. Generally snagging doesn’t encompass a Building Regukation check either unless it’s obvious and in your face.

The OP is buying in a new development which means it will come with a Completion Certificate which would have been applied for by an Assigned Certifier under BCAR.

FrankC21

We got a qoute from this guy <SNIP> - his price is €495. What do you think?

Salary Negotiator

FrankC21 wrote: »

We got a qoute from this guy <SNIP> - his price is €495. What do you think?

I paid about €250 for a new build snag in Blackrock Co. Louth this time last year. €495 for just snagging seems pricey.

FrankC21

Salary Negotiator wrote: »

I paid about €250 for a new build snag in Blackrock Co. Louth this time last year. €495 for just snagging seems pricey.

Can you recommend one? Please :pac:

Fia11

About to pay 250 quid for a snag on a 3 bed new build in Dublin. Would naaat pay 495.

FrankC21

Fia11 wrote: »

About to pay 250 quid for a snag on a 3 bed new build in Dublin. Would naaat pay 495.

Can you recommend one please?

<SNIP>

Salary Negotiator

FrankC21 wrote: »

Can you recommend one? Please :pac:

PM sent.

Fia11

<SNIP>

FrankC21

corks finest

FrankC21 wrote:

The date has been set for snagging, I am wondering do we really have to hire somebody to do the snagging or is it sufficient to do it ourselves?

If you've 2 legs/ arms,can read + follow instructions, FFS DIY

conair01

Fia11 wrote: »

About to pay 250 quid for a snag on a 3 bed new build in Dublin. Would naaat pay 495.

Hi could you forward me the details? Were you happy with the work/ report that was done?

StoptheClocks

I posted last week looking for a snagger. I got one recommendation by PM. Got my snag done today. The report came back with 74 issues.
Reminded me of when I put my car in for its NCT without fixing anything. The builder is only going to fix the things he needs to get his money.

Years ago I got a snagger of good repute to check a house I bought. He missed a fair few things that had to be later rectified, one of them being the en-suite shower not working by virtue of the fact that a pump had never been installed by builder. It was only when my tenants got a bit peeved that they always had to use the bath that it came to light. So my advice is to check the simple things yourself. Check that the all the taps work, the toilets flush, the heating turns on in every room it was designed to do, there is hot water from all the sources it’s intended to be available, that all the sockets actually worked, all the lights turn on, that the cooker and all appliances basically work if they are included, that each window opens and closes as intended, and all doors open and close properly. These very basic things may go unchecked even if a snagger is employed.

awec

StoptheClocks wrote: »

I posted last week looking for a snagger. I got one recommendation by PM. Got my snag done today. The report came back with 74 issues.
Reminded me of when I put my car in for its NCT without fixing anything. The builder is only going to fix the things he needs to get his money.

Any decent snagger will find many, many issues on any house, even one that's in great condition, so I wouldn't worry if your list seems long. That's pretty normal.

Once you get the report you need to figure out what the important things are that need to be fixed.

StoptheClocks

awec wrote: »

Any decent snagger will find many, many issues on any house, even one that's in great condition, so I wouldn't worry if your list seems long. That's pretty normal.

Once you get the report you need to figure out what the important things are that need to be fixed.

What if you're not in a rush to take the house. Shouldn't the builder not try to fix / improve everything on the list?

awec

StoptheClocks wrote: »

What if you're not in a rush to take the house. Shouldn't the builder not try to fix / improve everything on the list?

Sure if you're not in a rush you can try and insist on every little thing being done, but you'll be waiting quite a while I'd imagine. Even then, you'll find issues after you move in that both you and the snagger will have missed, and it's always good to be on good terms with the developer at this point as you're pretty much relying on goodwill.

the_pen_turner

74 snags is pritty good.
depends on what they are of course.
you could easily get 20 plus in one room on small things like a bit of caulk missing here and there or patchy paint, open joints on skirts architrave etc.


i have seen some shockingly long snag lists

ggmat799

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/111785165#Comment_111785165

Hi, Could you please share the contact. Thanks a mil

Yellow_Fern

Be careful who you hire. The quality varies a lot. Make sure they check your attic. Make sure they check your internet cables. Also, look for draughts. See if they can correlate your BER to the build. Someone who knows BER and DEAP would be best.

corks finest

Hire cheap regret later

painter here

ask any decorator you know etc to come in and give u a list for each room

( sticky pad n paper)

snagging isn’t a science it’s basic common sense

as long as you’ve time and correct tools you’ll get through it

if not get only someone recommended from a friend/ relative

get the list on paper

room 1

room 2 etc

work methodically

greengrass87

Similar position in a new build.

It's not that I don't want to pay the snagging fee,

Iv been a carpenter for 20 years ,

Have been told I'm hyper critical ,

And feel I have the know how to snag efficiently.

Only thing holding me back is ...would it look better coming from a report from an engineering company to the builder.

ie.he will be more inclined to fix etc..

Are there legal requirements for snagging?Our development agents has sent an email saying the builder has advised snagging can be done after closing.

Can we or our bank insist that snagging be done prior to closing or are we at the builders mercy?

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119030453#Comment_119030453

No legal requirement. You can do it whenever. I suppose if the developer wanted to be really awkward about it they could refuse the snagger access.

Usually it's done before closing.

LunaLoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119030453#Comment_119030453

You'd be mad to close before snagging is done, if any issues are found it would be a nightmare trying to get builders to come back and fix

Stone Deaf 4evr

Any builder who hands over a house without a snag list is off his rocker. He'll end up being held responsible for any dings and marks to walls, flooring, etc once the client moves in.

The sequence should be:

get snag list - sort items highlighted on snag list - get confirmation from snag list issuer that all is in order - close sale - move in.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119030453#Comment_119030453

The only hold you have on the developer is not closing. You have no other way of applying pressure to him. Anyone who says otherwise has an ulterior motive.

awec

At the very least you should do 1 round of snagging pre-closing, and identify if there are any big issues to be fixed. If there's anything big you can wait until this is addressed before closing. Smaller things you could close on and get them to fix afterward.

To put some perspective on it, on any given house there will be a LOT of snags. Even if builders take care there will still be loads. You'll get a document from your snagger with lots and lots of pages, if a snagger comes back to you saying everything is mostly fine, there's just a few little things then I would be concerned at their thoroughness.

You are not going to get every issue fixed, some of it is going to come down to your opinion vs theirs. You need to pick the issues that really matter to you and go after them.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/111860640#Comment_111860640

My "shockingly" long list had such things as broken windows, pipes missing, drain 1 meter away from tap, manholes concreted over in path, broken floorboards.

A scam artist would have been embarrassed with what they handed over.

the_pen_turner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119037326#Comment_119037326

thats a cowboy bodge list not a snag list

HerrKapitan

Yes, thanks, I definitely intend to snag before closing.

Good advice on the chasing which to chase. I would probably have been gung ho about the entire list.

The house is phase 1, so the builders will be onside for a period afterwards.

Flinty997

My builders were on site. So hard to get them back even when I hadn't closed. I gave up after I had the major items done. I just fixed it myself. Just remembered another one I had to get the floors reskimmed as the levels were off. Cold water tank was plumbed wrong.

That house was built when the quality was at its worst in the Celtic Tiger. But location location location etc. I was finding problems years afterwards.

I think the quality is better these days. But I would be checking electrics, pluming, heating, even the fall in the drains. Check the roof for leaks in heavy rain. The more second opinions and checks the better.

In Germany the builder pays a bond or something that they don't get back until a reasonable time after the person moves in so that issues that arise after can be fixed. In Ireland you make the biggest purchase of your life and your kettle has more consumer protection and warranty.

ClarmerFaye

I bought a new build earlier in the year and it will be ready to snag in the next month. I am happy to spend the money but I just have no idea what company to hire or what is even out there. Does anyone know what qualifications/certifications to look out for or have any recommendations for a snagging company?

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832584#Comment_119832584

There is no qualification for a snagged. A good Sanger can be a painter, plumber, carpenter, engineer or surveyor.

Remember snagging is checking for cosmetic issues or common problems or obvious defects.

It’s not a building regulation check, it’s not a structural check etc

Someone with a keen eye for detail along with some relevant experience in the building trade/codes etc