Snagging

How the snag list is produced

Snagging is typically carried out by the contract administrator (architect or PM), the QS, or a dedicated snagging consultant, working room-by-room through the completed building. Items are logged with location, description, photo, and severity.

A snag list is then issued to the contractor with a deadline for completion. Once items are remedied, they're re-inspected and signed off. Outstanding snags at practical completion are typically deferred to the defects liability period as "items to complete after PC".

Snagging vs defects

Snagging covers minor visible defects identified before or at practical completion — paint runs, missing trim, loose handles. Defects covers issues that emerge during the defects liability period (typically 12 months post-PC) — settlement cracks, mechanical failures, leaks.

Both fall under the contractor's obligation to remedy at no cost to the client. Snagging is a single-pass exercise; defects monitoring runs for the duration of the liability period.

Common pitfalls

• Treating snagging as a punch-list of cosmetic items. Many snag lists ignore non-cosmetic items (door swings, ironmongery operation, light switches). The list should cover any departure from the spec, not just visible defects.
• Issuing the snag list at PC, not before. The right time to issue is 1–2 weeks before PC, giving the contractor time to remedy without delaying handover.
• No re-inspection process. Snags marked as "completed by contractor" should be re-inspected before being closed off. Skipping this lets unfixed snags through to handover.

Related

• What is practical completion? →
• What is a defects liability period? →