Quality checking & snagging
Self build project management specialist Mark Stevenson discusses how to check that the work in your home project has been completed to the quality that you expect
I often think that the word ‘snagging’ is a bit peculiar and I’m sure first-time self builders must think the same! But after 30 years of managing building projects, I’ve come to realise that this process is critical to achieving a high-quality home.
The common misunderstanding is that snagging is about inspecting the build at the very end, just before the house is finished and you move in. And whilst the final inspection might be classed as snagging, checking quality must happen every day and as a minimum, at the completion of each building stage.
When a novice inspects a builder’s work, conversations can get emotive – especially when it’s been done by a time served contractor with decades of experience and an ego the size of a shed. It goes without saying that self builders should tread carefully otherwise you might find your workforce up in arms. That said, being inexperienced shouldn’t put you off. Snagging or checking that the work is up to scratch is a vital part of quality control and, as you’re paying the bill, you have every right to satisfy yourself that it’s being done right.