← All guidesHow to choose a snagging inspector
A good report is your strongest evidence.
A professional snagging survey is an independent inspection of your new home that lists every defect, with photographs. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do as a new-build owner — a qualified inspector’s report is hard for a builder to brush off, and it carries real weight if your case ever reaches the New Homes Ombudsman. Here’s how to pick a good one.
What to look for
✓A recognised professional qualification
Look for membership of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CABE / MCABE (Chartered Association of Building Engineers) or the RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association). This is the big one: a qualified inspector’s report carries real weight with a builder — and with the New Homes Ombudsman if it ever gets that far.
✓Professional indemnity insurance
Any reputable inspector carries professional indemnity (PI) cover. It protects you if something is missed. Ask to see it — a good firm will share it without hesitation.
✓Genuinely independent
The best inspectors inspect, and that’s all. Be cautious of anyone who also offers to carry out the remedial work — that’s a conflict of interest. You want an honest list of every defect, not a sales pitch for repairs.
✓Clear, photographic reports — fast
Ask to see a sample report. It should list every defect plainly, with clear photographs, and arrive quickly (most good firms turn one around in 24–72 hours). That report is the document you’ll rely on, so its quality matters.
✓Covers your area, with upfront pricing
Confirm they cover your development and that the price is clear before you book. A typical new-build snagging survey starts from a couple of hundred pounds depending on the size of the home.
Questions to ask before you book
- →What are your qualifications and professional memberships?
- →Are you fully covered by professional indemnity insurance?
- →Can I see an example of one of your reports?
- →How long after the inspection will I get my report?
- →Do you only inspect, or do you also do repairs? (You want “inspect only”.)
- →Do you re-inspect once the builder says the work is done?
Independent snagging firms covering the South West
A starting point — independent firms that inspect new builds across the South West. Use the checks above to decide which is right for you.
Snagmaster SWDevon & Cornwall
New-build snagging specialists covering Exeter, Plymouth, Truro and across the South West.
StructureSurvey LtdSomerset, Devon & Cornwall
Inspections by a chartered building engineer (MCABE); photo-illustrated reports.
Cobel Building SurveyorsDevon & Cornwall
Independent RICS-qualified practice; long-established in the region.
Home Snagging SurveysDevon, Cornwall, Dorset & Somerset
Exeter-based, covering the wider South West.
Southwest SnaggingExeter & Plymouth
Snagging reports with drone and thermal-imaging options.
West Country SurveyorsSouth West
Regional surveying practice offering new-build inspections.
Our promise on this list: Snag Scout is independent. We don’t endorse any particular firm and we take no payment or commission for listing them here. This is a neutral starting point — always check a firm’s qualifications, insurance and reviews yourself before booking.
Got your report? Put it to work
A snagging report is evidence — and evidence is exactly what makes a builder act, and what the Ombudsman runs on. Once you’ve sent your list to the builder, log it on Snag Scout to start a dated, public record of what you reported and how they respond. Your report plus a clear timeline is a powerful combination.
Had your home inspected? Put it on the record.
Log your snags and track the builder’s response — free, private, and dated.
Share your experienceGeneral information, not professional or legal advice. The firms listed are independent businesses with no commercial relationship with Snag Scout; we don’t guarantee their work — please carry out your own checks before engaging anyone.