New homes have 130 defects on average: These are the most common snagging issues to look out for
New-build homes have 130 defects on average, ranging from ‘swampy’ gardens to uneven ceilings and even mould and leaks.
Nine in ten brand new properties have swampy gardens, which means the ground has not been prepared properly and rainwater will struggle to drain away.
That is according to independent snagging company, HomeSnag, which looked at data from 2,000 home inspections it has carried out in 2026.
It says too many housebuilders are cutting corners – in some cases leaving buyers with homes that are not fit for purpose.
The second most common issue was uneven ceilings, which was experienced by seven in 10 homeowners, followed by uneven stairs and landings at six in 10.
Tom Britton, founder of HomeSnag, said: ‘A new home can look fantastic on the day you get the keys, but a good finish doesn’t necessarily mean it has been built well’.
Almost a third of its surveys found mould and damp, caused by extractor fan ducts not being connected properly, or compromised ventilation.
Plagued with problems: New build homes have 130 defects on average, according to snagging company HomeSnag – ranging from uneven ceilings to mould and leaks
Meanwhile, one in five surveys found leaks due to defective plumbing.
Using thermal cameras, HomeSnag found inadequate loft insulation in 50 per cent of cases.
Only around 10 per cent of the snags identified in HomeSnag’s reports were minor cosmetic defects, challenging the perception that snagging is mostly about aesthetic issues such as poor paintwork.
Anyone buying a new build home should consider paying for a snagging survey when the sale completes.
These surveys check if the property meets the standards the builder or developer has agreed to meet, and allow buyers to point out any imperfections.
If the building is under warranty, which most new builds are, the builder will be legally obliged to correct these.
| Issue | Proportion of new homes with this problem |
|---|---|
| Swampy grounds and garden | 90% |
| Homes with uneven ceilings | 70% |
| Unlevel staircases and flooring | 60% |
| Ground levels that are too high | 60% |
| Inadequate loft insulation | 50% |
| Mould | 30% |
| Leaks | 20% |
| Extractor fan ducts not connected properly | 20% |
| Source: HomeSnag |
New builds are not up to standards promised
A staggering 93.7 per cent of new‑build buyers reported at least one issue to their builder after moving in, according to separate data from insurance broker J3 Advisory.
Many housebuilders advertise the fact they have ‘five-star’ ratings under the Home Builders Federation’s customer satisfaction scheme.
However, while these ratings provide an indication of customer satisfaction, they do not have a direct correlation to the condition of a property.
HomeSnag’s data suggests that just 5-10 per cent of the properties it inspects meet its own standard for genuine five-star build quality.
‘Some of the most significant defects we find simply aren’t things a homeowner would know to look for, or have the specialist equipment to identify,’ says Britton.
‘Some of the worst homes we’ve ever inspected have been built by five-star housebuilders.
‘When someone is making what is probably the biggest purchase of their life, they deserve to know that their home has been built properly.’
Health and safety concerns
HomeSnag’s surveyors have found two houses this year which have missing cavity wall insulation. This creates unnecessary heat loss and higher energy bills.
More serious defects have also been found, which could have direct implications for health and safety.
Surveyors have encountered gas and carbon monoxide leaks, live exposed cables and inadequate fire-door installation.
HomeSnag said 70 per cent of three-storey homes it inspects have excessive fire door gaps – and even loose concrete blocks or sections of brickwork that could cause injury.
