Interior Items Checked During a Snagging Inspection

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The bulk of a snagging inspection happens inside the property. Below is a detailed checklist of the interior items a professional inspector works through during a typical visit to an Irish new build. It's not exhaustive — every property has its own quirks — but it gives you a clear picture of the depth of coverage.

Walls and Ceilings

Walls are inspected for cracks (hairline, surface, or structural), uneven plaster, poor paint coverage, visible joint lines, exposed nails or screws, scuffs, and damage from trades. Ceilings get the same treatment, plus checks for sagging, light fitting cut-outs, and any signs of water marks or staining.

Internal corners are checked for clean lines, and the meeting of skirting board with floor and wall is reviewed for gaps and finish.

Floors

Flooring is checked for:

Level (especially in open-plan spaces where deflection can show as bouncing)
Scratches, dents and surface damage
Lifting boards, gaps between planks, or visible joints
Damaged or chipped tiles, uneven grout lines
Skirting alignment and quality of fit at thresholds

Doors and Frames

Every door — internal, external, wardrobe, utility, ensuite — is opened and closed. Inspectors check that handles operate smoothly, latches engage, hinges are flush, and the gap around the frame is consistent. Door faces are inspected for damage, drilling errors, and finish quality. External doors get extra attention on weather seals, threshold drainage and locking mechanisms.

Tape measure showing an oversized under-door gap on a 1st-floor bedroom door — **Real example:** 1st-floor bedroom — under-door clearance measured too large to meet fire-regulation seal.

Windows

Windows are checked for:

Smooth opening, locking and tilting (for tilt-and-turn units)
Scratches, chips or marks on the glass
Intact and clean sealant around frames
Working trickle vents in correct orientation
Sill condition and finish
Restrictors functioning on upstairs windows where required

Kitchens

Kitchens are typically where the most snags appear, simply because there are so many components. Inspectors check:

Cabinet doors — alignment, soft-close, handle fitting, damage
Drawer runners — smooth operation, full extension
Worktops — joins, sealant, chips, level
Splashbacks — alignment, tile lippage, sealant
Sink, taps and isolation valves — working order, no leaks
Integrated appliances (where included) — power, function, hinges, racks
Extractor hood — operation, lighting, ducting where visible

Bathrooms and Ensuites

Bathrooms get particular attention because water damage is the leading cause of post-handover claims. Inspectors check:

Silicone sealing around bath, shower tray, sink and toilet base
Tile alignment, lippage and grouting
Shower screen fit, drainage and seals
Drain falls (water should leave the wet area, not pool)
Taps, mixer valves, shower controls — function and leak-check
Toilet flush, fill and seat fitting
Extractor fan — operation, ducting, and humidity routing
Heated towel rails — function and finish

Leak at the base of a shower head in a 2nd-floor en-suite — **En-suite snag:** leak detected at the shower-head fixing — exactly the type of leak our inspectors catch before it stains the ceiling below.

Unfilled gap behind a guest toilet exposing the plumbing — **Bathroom snag:** guest toilet — gap behind the WC needs filling and repainting.

Electrical Fittings

Every socket and switch in the house is tested for power and physical fit. Inspectors also check:

Light switches throughout — all functioning, correct orientation
Light fittings — secure, working, correct lamps installed
Smoke alarms and CO detectors — present in required locations and functioning
Consumer unit — labelled correctly, RCDs trip-tested where appropriate
External sockets and outdoor lighting (where applicable)

Heating and Plumbing

Radiators are checked for paint damage, secure mounting, working valves, and even heat distribution. The boiler or heat pump is visually inspected for installation quality, accessible isolation, and basic operation. Visible plumbing — under sinks, around the water tank, at the stop-cock — is checked for leaks and proper bracketing.

Thermal scan of a radiator showing uneven heat distribution — **Heating snag:** thermal scan picks up a master-bedroom radiator that isn't heating evenly — the kind of issue a hand-touch won't catch.

Water pooling under a leaking radiator in a guest toilet — **Plumbing snag:** guest toilet — radiator leaking onto the floor, water pooled around the base.

Staircases, Banisters and Storage

Staircases are checked for solid treads, no creaks, secure handrails and balustrade spacing. Banisters and newel posts are inspected for finish and stability. Built-in wardrobes, under-stair cupboards, hot press shelving and any storage units come in for finish and fit checks.

Attic / Loft Where Accessible

If the loft has an accessible hatch, the inspector goes up to check insulation coverage, vapour barriers, ventilation pathways, water tank insulation (where present), and removal of construction debris. External elements are covered separately here.

Cold-water tank in an attic with no insulation beneath it — **Attic snag:** no insulation beneath the cold-water tank.

Daylight visible through a gap between brickwork and timber beam in an attic — **Attic snag:** structural gap between brickwork and timber beam, daylight visible — only caught by physically going up.

Get every interior detail checked

A professional snagging inspection covers it all — room by room.

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