A good developer should welcome an independent inspection, explain what they class as a defect, set out a clear reporting route and give you realistic timescales for repairs. Where relevant, they should also make the escalation route clear, including the New Homes Ombudsman. Clear process in, fewer headaches out.

Yes, your home is fully insured during a Northern Survey inspection. Our comprehensive insurance policy covers professional indemnity and third-party damages. While it's rare for any professional firm to cause damage or miss critical details, we provide full coverage for your peace of mind. This includes pre-completion inspections of vacant plots.

Yes, if you want to spot defects early and give yourself a better chance of getting them fixed while the developer is still on site. A snagging survey is a small cost for a lot of reassurance. You can reserve a certified surveyor with Northern Survey for £49, then book the inspection that suits your home. Simple, sensible, sorted.

In most cases, a developer should allow a Pre-Completion Inspection, although the visit may need to be timed around site access and build progress. If you’re being blocked or given mixed messages, let us know. We can help you understand the position and work with the developer to arrange access where possible.

You should send the snagging report to your developer and ask for the defects to be put right. If you’d like support, we can explain the findings, talk through priorities and even handle developer meetings for you. That way, you’re not left chasing everything alone.

Before a PCI, give your developer enough notice to arrange access. Many sites need 2–3 days, though some ask for up to 14 days. If you’d rather not deal with the back-and-forth, we can coordinate with the developer for you. On the day, make sure the property is ready and accessible at the agreed time—simple, but it matters.

You should report snags as soon as you spot them. If your home is covered by a recognised warranty or framework, you may have up to two years after completion to raise defects, but sooner is usually better. Evidence is fresher, and the developer is more likely to have the right teams available. Always check your warranty terms.