New home snagging checklist for Dubai property buyers
Handover day is your best chance to have defects fixed at the developer's cost. This checklist covers what to look at in each part of a new apartment, villa or penthouse, and when it is worth bringing in a professional snagging inspector.
Room by room: what to check.
Take your time, use good light, and photograph everything you find with its location. Write each item down clearly so the developer can find it.
Walls and ceilings
Look along each wall in raking light for cracks, bumps and patchy paint. Check corners, ceiling junctions and around switches and sockets.
Floors and tiles
Look for chipped, cracked or uneven tiles and gaps in grout. Tap tiles gently; a hollow sound can mean poor bedding.
Doors and windows
Open, close and lock every door and window. Check they do not rub, that seals are complete and that handles and locks work.
Kitchen
Open every cupboard and drawer, check worktop joints, run the taps and look under the sink for leaks.
Bathrooms
Run every tap and shower, flush toilets, check drains empty quickly and look for gaps in sealant and grout.
Electrics and air conditioning
Try every switch and light, check sockets are fixed firmly, and run the air conditioning in each room.
Balconies and outside areas
Check balustrades are firm, floor finishes are intact and drainage outlets are clear. For villas, walk the external walls, gates, paving and garden.
How to get your snags fixed.
Inspect before you sign
Once you sign the handover documents, it can be harder to get defects fixed. Record them first.
Photograph and locate every snag
A photo with a clear location, such as 'master bathroom, left of the basin', saves time and avoids disputes.
Send one clear list
Give the developer one complete, organised list rather than items in several messages.
Check the fixes
Before you accept the property, check that each snag on the list has actually been fixed.
When to use a professional snagging inspector.
A careful buyer can find many snags. A professional inspection is worth it when any of these apply.
You cannot attend handover
If you live abroad or cannot take the time, an inspector can inspect and report for you.
It is a large property
Villas, townhouses and penthouses have many more rooms, services and outside areas to check.
You want a formal report
A professional report with photos carries more weight with the developer than a handwritten list.
You want hidden issues checked
Experienced inspectors know where leaks, drainage problems and poor workmanship usually hide.
How our snagging service works.
Book
Send us the property type, size, location and your handover date. We confirm the inspection date and scope.
Inspect
Our team inspects the property room by room, inside and out, and tests the fittings and services that can be tested on site.
Report
You receive a detailed snag list report with a photo, location and description for every defect found.
Follow up
Share the report with the developer to have the snags fixed. On request, we return to check the fixes before you sign off.
Frequently asked questions
What does snagging mean in Dubai?
Snagging means inspecting a new property for defects before handover and recording them in a snag list, so the developer fixes them before the buyer accepts the property.
When should I book a snagging inspection?
Book it before you sign the handover documents, once the developer has told you the property is ready. That way the defects are recorded while the developer is still responsible for fixing them.
Can I do the snagging myself?
Yes, this checklist helps. Many buyers still use a professional inspector for larger properties, when they cannot attend, or when they want a formal report with photos.
What is in the snag list report?
Every defect is listed with a photo, its location in the property and a clear description, grouped by room so the developer's team can find and fix each item.
Want a professional to check your new home? Book a snagging inspection.
Call or WhatsApp +971 58 663 0751, or email projects@abcodubai.com. Our office is in Al Saqr Business Tower, Trade Centre 2, Dubai.