What is a snagging report, and why do buyers need it?

Buying a new home is a major investment, but even freshly built properties can hide flaws that only a professional snagging report can uncover. With construction often moving fast, small details can be missed, and what looks perfect at first glance may hide hundreds of issues that experts find every day. These problems range from simple, yet annoying, paint drips to major defects, such as leaky air conditioning systems and missing insulation. If you miss them now, you pay the repair costs and the high energy bills later. That is why the Snagging Report is the key professional tool you need to ensure the developer delivers the perfect quality you paid for.

Let's break down exactly what this report is and why it matters so much to your new home in Dubai.

Understanding the 'Snag' in Your New Home

A snag is anything wrong, unfinished, or below the quality standard in your new home. The problem arises due to rushed work, the use of substandard materials, or errors made during the rapid construction phase. Some are minor cosmetic issues you can spot, like uneven tile grout, scratches on windows, or messy paintwork near the AC vents. Other snags are critical and hidden, requiring experts to find them. These big problems include poor waterproofing that causes leaks and mould, bad AC systems that waste energy and increase your bills, or missing wall insulation that lets heat in. You can spot a messy paint job, but you cannot spot a serious leak hidden inside a wall. It is precisely why the professional report becomes so essential.

Why You Cannot Trust the Developer's Check

You probably believe your developer checked everything because they use their own Quality Control teams, and that's true. However, those teams often rush their work to meet deadlines rather than focusing on achieving high quality. Their inspection is usually only an internal check, whereas your check must be independent and external. Industry experts estimate that almost 90% of new homes contain snags, ranging from minor cosmetic issues to large structural flaws. Independent snagging companies often identify 150 to 250 individual problems during a home inspection, issues that the developer’s team either missed or deemed acceptable.

The Snagging Report takes all these faults and puts them into one organised document with photos and technical notes. The report can be quite lengthy, sometimes spanning 50 or 60 pages. It lists the exact location of the problem, clearly explains what is wrong, and shows which building rule was missed. This detailed paper is the best way to get a prompt response from your developer.

The Three Reasons Why a Snagging Report is a Must-Have

We now know what a snag is and what the experts find, but the biggest question is why this document matters so much for your finances and peace of mind.

Maximising Your Defects Liability Period (DLP)

Your property in the UAE comes with two central guarantees, and you must use them fully. The developer must address most minor non-structural issues, such as faulty fittings and problems with the air conditioning or plumbing systems, during the initial 12-month warranty period from the date you receive the keys. The warranty starts the moment you take possession, so addressing any hidden issues early ensures you have enough time for the developer to fix them. A professional snagging report lets you submit a comprehensive list of problems before the deadline passes, forcing the developer to rectify them with their own funds.

Protecting Your Money and Investment Value

The cost of a professional snagging inspection is a tiny part of the property's price. You must compare this small fee to the cost of fixing a major hidden defect yourself later, because if your AC system fails after your one-year warranty, you will have to pay for the expensive repairs yourself. If a poorly sealed window lets in heat and dust, you will likely have to pay to fix the seals and repaint the walls. If you rent out the property, your tenant may complain about a water leak, and you will be responsible for the repair costs. The report ensures that all defects are fixed by the developer using their own money under their warranty, thereby securing the property’s value.

Peace of Mind Over the Climate Challenges

The extreme heat and humidity in Dubai put buildings to the test, so it’s essential that systems like air conditioning, window seals, and waterproofing are working flawlessly.. Experts often find faults like poor insulation or inadequate ventilation, which directly affect how cool and dust-free your home stays. The professional report thoroughly examines these important technical elements, using special thermal cameras to identify heat leaks and check your AC unit. This ensures you are comfortable and helps you control your high utility costs from the moment you move in.

Timing is Everything in Dubai

The most important thing to know is that timing gives you the most power in the UAE.

The Best Time to Inspect

The ideal situation is to schedule the snagging inspection before you officially take possession of the home or sign the final handover documents. Although the developer might not want this, having a completed report before you make the final payment gives you the strongest position to demand that all fixes be done correctly and immediately.

What to Do If You Get the Keys First

Sometimes the developer only allows access after you have the keys, or you might realise you need the report later. If this happens, you must act immediately during the 12-month Defect Liability Period (DLP). Complete the inspection immediately, send the formal report to the developer, and initiate the repair process promptly.

The Simple Steps for Snagging

1. Find Your Expert: Choose a reliable, independent snagging company. You must select someone with extensive experience with the type of property you bought, such as villas or high-rise apartments, so you know they are working only for you.
2. The Check-Up: The inspector will spend several hours (or perhaps a whole day for a large villa) carefully checking every part of the home. They look at every corner, fitting, and system, often using special tools to find hidden issues.
3. Sending the Report: You receive the detailed report and formally send it to the developer’s customer care team.
4. The Repairs: The developer must repair all defects listed in the report.
5. The Second Look (De-Snag): Many buyers pay the inspector to come back for a second check, called a de-snag inspection, after the developer says everything is fixed. It guarantees that the repairs were done correctly and that the fix itself did not create new problems.

Conclusion

The Dubai property market is full of great chances for investment, but you must take action yourself to fully protect your money. When you buy a brand-new home, you are buying a promise of high quality, and the snagging report is a key to turn that promise into reality. The check goes down to the smallest detail, which covers everything from a millimetre of messy grout to the wires inside your AC system. You should never rely on luck or trust the developer's own internal checks. Hiring your own expert and getting that detailed report is the most brilliant move you can make after signing the contract. It is your right to get the perfect home you paid for, so do not settle for a house that looks beautiful on the outside but is not.

Don't wait for your tenant to find the defects. Our property management team conduct thorough snagging checks. Contact us today to book our inspection service for your property.