A new-build home in London can mean a high-rise apartment in Bermondsey, a converted industrial site in Hayes or Harrow, or a large masterplanned neighbourhood in Greenwich. Each setting creates a different handover, access and defect-reporting process. Next Step Snagging provides independent new-build snagging surveys for London buyers, with a clear report sent within 24 hours of the inspection.
Inspections can be booked before completion where the developer permits access under the New Home Quality Code, or after completion once you have the keys. Pre-completion inspections start from £150, post-completion inspections start from £200 and de-snag inspections cost £250.
A London snagging survey shaped around the home you are buying
London is not one uniform new-build market. Apartment buildings may involve a concierge, controlled entry, lift access and a fixed inspection appointment arranged through the sales team. A house on a larger regeneration site may have a plot number, temporary road layout and an active site office. Providing the exact development, building and property details before the appointment helps the inspection start on time.
The purpose is the same in every case: to give you an organised record of defects, incomplete finishes and items that should be raised with the developer. The report gives you one document to work through with the customer care team instead of relying on scattered notes taken during a busy handover.
Ryan Leahy, Founder, Next Step Snagging, carries out inspections with the buyer’s position in mind. The focus is on recording what is found clearly, showing where each item is located and giving you a report that can be passed to the developer.
Current new-build developments across London
London buyers are purchasing in very different types of schemes. The following developments were checked against their developers’ own websites on 10 September 2026 and were marketing new homes at that time:
- Hayes Village by Barratt London is on the former Nestlé factory site beside the Grand Union Canal in Hayes. Its current listings include studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
- Eastman Village by Barratt London is on the former Kodak factory site in Harrow. The developer currently lists apartments across several buildings within the wider neighbourhood.
- Kidbrooke Village by Berkeley in the Royal Borough of Greenwich is a large development with apartments and houses in a number of current phases.
- Bermondsey Heights by Barratt London is a 26-storey apartment development in South Bermondsey with homes currently listed as ready to move into.
- Woodberry Down by Berkeley in Finsbury Park has both final homes in an existing collection and homes in a newly marketed phase.
These examples show the range of homes currently being sold in London. They do not imply that Next Step Snagging is connected with the developers or has inspected a home at any named development.
Choosing the right inspection stage
Pre-completion inspection
A pre-completion inspection takes place before legal completion, subject to the developer’s process and confirmed access. For homes protected by the New Homes Quality Board’s New Home Quality Code, the Code sets requirements for registered developers during the buying, moving and settling-in process. Ask the developer which pre-completion dates are available and whether it needs the inspector’s details in advance.
In London, it is especially useful to confirm whether the appointment starts at a sales suite, site gate, concierge desk or the home itself. For an apartment, send the building name, floor and apartment number as well as the development address. For a house, send the plot number and the final postal address if one has been issued.
Post-completion inspection
A post-completion inspection is arranged after you have the keys. This can be practical if the developer does not offer suitable pre-completion access, or if you want the property inspected once utilities are available and you can enter every room. Booking promptly gives you a dated report to submit early in the developer’s warranty process.
If you are weighing up the timing, read when a snagging survey should be done and check the developer’s handover information before selecting your appointment.
De-snag inspection
A de-snag inspection checks the items in the original report after the developer says that remedial work is complete. It helps you separate items that have been resolved from those that remain outstanding or need further attention. Send the original report in advance so the visit can follow the same recorded list.
What happens from booking to report
- Choose the service. Select pre-completion, post-completion or de-snag based on your handover stage.
- Send the London property details. Include the full address, postcode, development, building, apartment or plot number and your confirmed access window.
- Arrange site access. Tell the developer, concierge or customer care contact who will attend and follow any check-in instructions they provide.
- The inspection takes place. The property is checked and findings are recorded in a structured format.
- Receive the report within 24 hours. You can then send it to the developer and keep a dated copy for your own records.
For more detail about the appointment itself, visit what to expect from a snagging inspection.
London snagging survey prices
| Service | Price | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-completion inspection | From £150 | Before legal completion, with developer-approved access |
| Post-completion inspection | From £200 | After completion, once you can provide access to the home |
| De-snag inspection | £250 | After the developer has worked through the original snagging report |
Prices vary by the service and property type where a starting price is shown. Use the current snagging survey price list to check the option that applies to your London home.
Preparing access for a London flat or house
Access arrangements can make the difference between a smooth appointment and time lost at reception or a site entrance. London developments often use building names that differ from the marketing name, and a postcode may cover more than one entrance. Share the exact instructions supplied by the developer rather than relying only on a map pin.
- Confirm the date and inspection window in writing with the developer or customer care team.
- Provide the development name, final building name, plot or apartment number and complete postcode.
- Explain whether entry is through a sales suite, site office, concierge desk or resident entrance.
- Pass on any visitor registration, parking, loading-bay or lift-booking instructions.
- Check that the areas included in the appointment are accessible and that the home’s services are available for the scheduled visit.
Buyers in Hayes, Harrow, White City, Finsbury Park, Bermondsey, Greenwich and Kidbrooke may all describe their property as a London new build, but the route from street to front door can be completely different. Clear access information allows the available appointment time to be spent on the home.
Frequently asked questions about London snagging surveys
How do I arrange a pre-completion snagging inspection at a London development?
Ask the developer or sales team for its pre-completion inspection process and available appointment dates. Send the confirmed building, plot or apartment number, full address, access contact and appointment window when you book.
Can a London new-build flat be snagged after legal completion?
Yes. A post-completion inspection can be booked once you have access to the property. It is sensible to arrange it promptly so the developer receives a clear record of defects early in the warranty period.
What access details are needed for a concierge-managed London building?
Confirm the development name, building or block, apartment number, postcode, concierge or site contact, entry procedure and any parking or loading restrictions. These details help the appointment begin on time.
How quickly will I receive my London snagging report?
Next Step Snagging sends the completed report within 24 hours of the inspection.
How much does a new-build snagging survey cost in London?
Pre-completion inspections start from £150, post-completion inspections start from £200 and a de-snag inspection costs £250. Check the current price list for the service and property type you need.
Book a new-build snagging survey in London
Choose an available appointment online and include the London development, property and access details when requested. If the developer has given you a fixed pre-completion slot, book as soon as that date is confirmed.