Newly Built Inspection: A Key Step Before Moving In

Snagging inspection is a technical assessment of the condition and workmanship of a property, typically performed before delivery to the buyer. It is the identification of defects, inferior finishes, or departures from agreed construction details—commonly referred to as snags. In property, particularly in new developments, snagging plays a critical role in guaranteeing the buyer receives a defect-free home in line with contractual specifications.

Whereas snagging inspections are relevant to refurbished and older developments, newly built inspections are a niche subset covering only new construction. This sub-service is performed before the final handover, enabling the buyer to note any defects—cosmetic or structural—before moving in or making the final payment. It’s a critical step in quality control that safeguards the buyer’s investment and ensures the developer delivers according to what they promised, considering both functionality and finish.

What is a Newly Built Inspection?

A newly constructed inspection is a comprehensive examination of a newly built property carried out before handover to the purchaser. It is aimed at determining construction defects, incomplete work, or variations from the agreed specifications.

This inspection is perfect for homebuyers, investors, or builders who desire quality before possession. It encompasses everything from structural components to final touches such as flooring, fixtures, and fittings.

Independent inspectors give homebuyers a comprehensive, unbiased report on the condition of the property, making them capable of holding the builder accountable and having a defect-free move-in.

Key Differences Between Snagging and Newly Built Inspection

While both snagging and newly built inspections aim to identify issues in a property, they differ significantly in scope, purpose, and timing. General snagging can be applied to any type of property—be it newly constructed, previously owned, or recently renovated. In contrast, a newly built inspection is specifically designed for brand-new, never-occupied properties. The depth of inspection also varies.

Snagging typically focuses on surface-level or cosmetic defects such as chipped paint, minor cracks, or incomplete finishes. On the other hand, a newly built inspection goes beyond the surface to cover critical aspects such as structural integrity, electrical safety, plumbing functionality, and compliance with building standards.

Timing is another key distinction. A general snagging inspection can be conducted at any stage after construction is complete, including post-renovation. However, a newly built inspection is ideally conducted just before handover or final payment, ensuring the buyer receives the property in the promised condition. The primary focus of snagging is to detect general issues that affect appearance or usability, whereas a newly built inspection aims to ensure full compliance with the agreed-upon contract specifications, building codes, and safety standards.

In essence, while snagging might help you notice visible imperfections, a newly built inspection digs deeper, uncovering potential structural problems, poor installation practices, or hidden safety hazards that could result in major expenses or delays if left unaddressed.

Why Is a Newly Built Inspection Important?

Even the most reputable developers can overlook certain details. Common reasons why newly built inspections are essential include:

1. Construction Speed Over Quality

To meet deadlines, developers may rush finishing work. A hurried pace often results in issues like uneven tiling, faulty plumbing, or improperly installed fixtures.

2. Untrained Labor

Some projects rely heavily on subcontracted labor with inconsistent quality. An inspection ensures errors are caught and corrected before they affect your living experience.

3. Hidden Defects

What looks good on the outside might hide underlying problems—leaky pipes, faulty wiring, structural cracks, etc. Professional inspectors know where to look.

4. Contractual Compliance

Your inspection ensures the builder delivers exactly what was promised in the sales agreement—materials, dimensions, finish quality, and functionality.

5. Peace of Mind

Most importantly, a thorough inspection gives you confidence. You’ll move in knowing your new home is truly move-in ready, safe, and sound.

What Does a Newly Built Inspection Cover?

A newly built inspection follows a detailed checklist to ensure every aspect of your property is covered:

Exterior & Structural Components

• Cracks in external walls or foundations
• Poorly aligned roofs or sagging beams
• Drainage slope and water flow patterns
• Finishes on balconies, patios, and façades
• Stability and integrity of retaining walls

Interior Finishes

• Plasterwork and the smoothness of walls and ceilings
• Paint coverage, bubbling, or staining
• Skirting board alignment
• Doorframe and ceiling cornice finishes

Doors & Windows

• Proper alignment and sealing
• Functional locks and handles
• Smooth opening and closing
• Weatherproofing and sound insulation

Flooring & Tiling

• Level and flush flooring installation
• Loose tiles or hollow-sounding areas
• Grout consistency and spacing
• Wooden floor gaps or uneven finishes

Plumbing Systems

• Water pressure and flow test
• Leakage around fittings
• Functionality of geysers, taps, and toilets
• Drainage slope and water runoff checks

Electrical Systems

• Switch and socket testing
• Functional lighting throughout
• Circuit breaker safety labeling
• Grounding and earthing validation

HVAC & Ventilation

• Air conditioner performance and airflow
• Exhaust fan operation in wet areas
• Air vent placements and returns
• Thermostat functionality check

Kitchens & Bathrooms

• Cabinet installation and alignment
• Countertop stability
• Sanitaryware positioning and sealing
• Waterproofing in wet zones

Safety Features

• Smoke detectors and fire alarms
• Sturdy staircases and handrails
• Proper lighting in entryways
• Secure balcony railings and guards

Why is it Important for New Homeowners?

For new homeowners, a new home inspection is a valuable protection step before occupancy.

For new homeowners, a new home inspection is a valuable protection step before occupancy. Though new homes have to be perfect, unnoticed defects or sloppy construction can otherwise pass without review, without a proper evaluation.

The inspection allows homebuyers to discover and identify defects, on a scale of cosmetic imperfections to severe structural or functional failure, before the builder is no longer in a position to rectify them in warranty or on contract conditions.

Finally, it gives one peace of mind. Purchasers can move in with confidence knowing that the home is secure, finished, and constructed to the level promised, avoiding them with expensive surprise bills or work to be done in the future.

Who Conducts the Inspection?

Third-party professional snagging companies or certified building inspectors typically carry out newly built inspections. These professionals bring experience in:

• Civil engineering and construction
• Local building codes and regulations
• Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
• Interior finishing and design assessments

They use tools like spirit levels, damp meters, infrared thermometers, moisture sensors, and other testing equipment to uncover what might be hidden from the untrained eye.

While buyers can attempt self-inspections using mobile apps or checklists, they often miss technical faults or overlook small issues that could become big headaches later.

When Should You Book a Newly Built Inspection?

The ideal time to schedule your inspection is just before the final handover—after the builder sends a notice of completion, but before the final payment or sign-off. Here’s why timing is key:

• The builder is still liable to fix defects under the contract.
• Early detection avoids delays in occupancy.
• Ensures defects are corrected before furniture or fittings block access.

Some buyers also opt for a two-phase inspection:

1. Pre-Handover Inspection: Before taking possession
2. Post-Rectification Inspection: After the builder completes the fixes

This double-check approach is ideal for ensuring quality.

Sample Checklist: What Inspectors Look For

A newly constructed inspection adheres to a precise checklist to avoid missing any part of the property. Although the actual list may differ depending on property type, some of the  major areas inspectors generally inspect include:

• Exterior & Structure
  
  • Cracks in walls or plaster
  • Uneven paving or poorly finished driveways
  • Roof alignment and water drainage
• Interior Finishes
  
  • Paint inconsistencies or touch-ups needed
    Gaps or defects in skirting, cornices, or ceilings
  • Uneven surfaces on walls or flooring
• Doors & Windows
  
  • Misaligned frames or stiff operation
  • Missing or loose seals and handles
  • Faulty locks or damaged glazing
• Electrical
  
  • Proper placement and function of sockets & switches
  • Working light fixtures
  • Circuit breaker labeling and safety
• Plumbing
  
  • Water pressure checks
  • Leak detection around sinks, toilets, and pipes
  • Proper drainage in wet areas
• HVAC & Ventilation
  
  • AC unit functionality and airflow
  • Thermostat performance
  • Adequate air vents in bathrooms and kitchens
• Kitchen & Bathrooms
  
  • Fitted cabinetry and countertops
  • Sanitary ware alignment and sealing
  • Tile finishes and waterproofing quality
• Safety Elements
  
  • Smoke detectors and fire alarms
  • Handrails, balcony barriers, or guardrails
  • Secure staircases and access points

This checklist acts as a baseline during inspections, ensuring buyers receive a home that’s not only new but also truly complete, compliant, and livable.

What Happens After the Inspection?

After the inspection, you receive a detailed snagging report, typically within 24–48 hours. This document includes:

• List of all defects (categorized as minor, major, or critical)
• Location of each defect with photo documentation
• Recommended action steps for the builder

You can then forward this to your developer, who is obligated to address the snags. Some developers also offer a re-inspection post rectification. This ensures full compliance before handover.

Having this documented report can also serve as legal evidence if disputes arise over incomplete work or warranty obligations.

When Should You Book a Newly Built Inspection?

The best time to arrange a newly constructed inspection is immediately before the final handover, usually after the builder sends a notice of completion but before the buyer signs off or pays the final amount. This is because the inspector can identify any defects when the developer is still liable for rectifying them.

Additionally, some buyers include a pre-handover walkthrough by the developer with a subsequent independent inspection. That way, whatever defects aren’t noticed with an initial walk-by are noted properly.

Where needed, in certain instances, the builder can conduct a follow-up inspection, often referred to as a re-inspection, following the resolution of the fixes. This ensures the issues were remedied correctly before occupancy.

Scheduling your inspection at the appropriate stage guarantees you’re not left scrambling for repairs after handover—and ensures you can move into a ready property.

Relevance in Dubai and GCC

In rapidly expanding real estate cities such as Dubai and the broader GCC, new-build inspections are more critical than ever. As off-plan sales surge, with high-rise buildings and upscale villas, purchasers demand impeccable handover—and they deserve to. Nevertheless, the rapidity of construction and the quantity of new developments at times result in neglected issues or compromised finishes.

Regulatory systems in Dubai, for example, those implemented by RERA and DLD, favor quality standards, but a third-party snagging report provides a guarantee of protection for buyers. As an investor, end-user, or international buyer, commissioning a third-party independent inspection service guarantees that your new home meets contractual assurances, statutory standards, and top-quality standards.

With harsh climatic conditions, high-tech building techniques, and stringent purchaser expectations within the area, newly constructed inspections have become not only pertinent but imperative to a safe and stress-free property transfer.

Why Choose Us?

Certified & Experienced Inspectors

We are seasoned experts with years of combined experience—from planning to handover and inspections. Our extensive industry experience ensures that you get detailed and credible results.

Comprehensive & Unbiased Reports

Our reports are photographic, accurate, and issued within 24 hours. We offer clarity, precision, and actionable guidance—so you precisely know what needs attention.

We Inspire the Living

We’re not home inspectors—we inspire healthier living. We strive to move beyond the ordinary snagging by offering solutions, innovations, and experiences that optimize your everyday space and life.

Expert Opinions On Demand

Need advice beyond the checklist? We offer professional guidance on construction and troubleshooting issues, helping you make informed decisions and achieve real value from your property investment.

Safeguard Your Investment

With our inspections, you avoid costly future repairs and enjoy having your home safe, functional, and move-in ready—day one.

Conclusion

A newly built inspection isn’t a formality—it’s a necessary procedure in safeguarding your investment. New homes may look perfect on the outside, but hidden defects, unfinished details, or code issues can be easily missed without a professional inspection.

Whether you are purchasing a villa, apartment, or commercial property, a thorough inspection ensures your property is delivered exactly as promised—impeccable in finish, functional in design, and safe to occupy. It also gives you the negotiating leverage to hold builders responsible before possession.

For Dubai and GCC property purchasers, where handovers are prevalent and expectations are high, this service offers reassurance and long-term peace of mind. Before picking up keys, get the facts—with a freshly built inspection that is in your favor.

On 9 August 2016, HMRC released a consultation document to flag some potential tax impacts that a forthcoming change in lease accounting may have on the funding of plant and machinery. From 2019, lessees using IFRS (including FRS 101), as opposed to FRS 102 (UK GAAP), will no longer have to distinguish between finance and operating leases. All leases (except some small value leases or very short leases) will be capitalized on the lessee’s balance sheet at the NPV of the future payments from the day the lease starts. This accounting change will not affect lessors. At the moment, the tax treatment typically depends on whether a lease is a ‘long funding lease’ or not. If it is, then it is the lessee who gets capital allowances (CAs). However, much anti-avoidance legislation is focused on the concept of finance leases and the IFRS change will interfere with that. In its consultation, HMRC has floated four options for addressing the issue. The first is broadly the status quo, with some tinkering. The others contain the more radical suggestion to move towards an accounts-based regime for taxing leases, using a system of debits and credits somewhat akin to the loan relationship regime and which would similarly eliminate the capital/revenue divide. ith such a proposal, including:

HMRC has identified several issues which should be addressed in conjunction with such a proposal, including:

1. Can HMRC trust companies to use ‘sensible’ depreciation policies or will there need to be legislation for it?

2. In order to avoid distorting the ‘lease or buy’ decision, the government may be willing to offer an enhanced deduction to lessees that would otherwise have qualified for the AIA.

3. Could HMRC combine an accounts-based regime with giving the lessee an option to claim CAs on the ‘right of use’ asset?

Inevitably, there is a long way to go on these issues. But the eventual outcome is potentially quite far-reaching for UK corporates – for example if HMRC can become comfortable on the issue of ‘sensible’ depreciation policies without a lot of new anti-avoidance legislation.

If you have any questions on the tax implications of lease accounting please contact David Porter.