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What Is a Snag List in Construction?
A snag list (also called a snagging list or defects list) is a document listing all the minor defects, unfinished work, and quality issues that need to be resolved before a construction project can be considered complete. It is typically compiled during the final inspection of a building and is used to ensure all work meets the agreed specification and quality standards before handover to the client.
When Is a Snag List Created?
Snagging typically occurs in two stages:
- Pre-completion snagging — the contractor's own team inspects the work before the client or their representative sees it. This is the opportunity to fix obvious defects before they are formally recorded.
- Client snagging — the client, their architect, or a professional snagging company inspects the completed work and compiles a formal snag list. This usually happens just before or at practical completion.
Common Snag Items
- Paint defects — runs, missed areas, poor cutting-in, inconsistent colour
- Joinery issues — doors not closing properly, gaps, scratches, poor alignment
- Tiling — uneven grout, lippage, cracked tiles, poor silicone finish
- Plumbing — dripping taps, slow drains, poor sealant around sanitaryware
- Electrical — switches not level, missing blanking plates, light fittings not centred
- External works — uneven paving, drainage issues, incomplete landscaping
Digital Snagging
Modern snagging increasingly uses digital tools that allow inspectors to photograph defects, pin them to floor plans, assign them to responsible subcontractors, and track resolution — all from a mobile device. This is significantly more efficient than paper-based snagging lists and ensures nothing gets lost in the handover process.