What Is Snagging?

Snagging is the process of going through completed work at the end of a job, identifying the small defects and unfinished items, listing them, and having them put right before the final payment is made.

What counts as a snag

Small things that fall short of a proper finish: paint missed behind a radiator, a door that catches, silicone applied badly, a socket fitted crooked, a cracked tile, a handle that was never fitted.

Individually minor. Collectively, the difference between a job that feels finished and one that does not.

When it happens

At the end, once the work is substantially complete but before the final payment is released. That order matters. Snagging carried out after final payment relies entirely on goodwill.

How to do it properly

Walk every room in good light, slowly, with the specification to hand. Write each item down with its location. Photograph anything that could be disputed. Then send the list in writing rather than mentioning items in passing.

Do it before you tell the builder you are happy, not after.