Property Snagging Dublin: When Should You Book an Inspection?

Timing is one of the most common questions Dublin buyers ask: when should I book my property snagging Dublin inspection? The answer depends on where you are in the buying process — and getting it right gives you maximum leverage with the developer.

Ideal Window: Pre-Handover, Post-Construction

The best window is after the builder has notified you that the property is complete and ready for inspection, but before you sign final completion documentation. The unit should be empty, finishes exposed, and services live.

At this point you have the strongest negotiating position: completion is not yet done, and the builder is motivated to close out remaining works to release the sale.

Second-Best: Within the Defects Period

If you've already moved in, the defects period — typically the first 12 months — is your next-best window. A snag list raised in this period is still actionable under your warranty and the builder's after-sales obligations.

Too Late?

After the defects period, you fall back on the 10-year structural warranty, which only covers major structural elements — not paint, sealant, or door alignment. So while it's never useless to have a snag list, the leverage drops sharply.

Avoid This Mistake

Don't book the inspection before construction is fully complete. Half-finished is not snaggable — the inspector will document defects that the builder was already going to fix, which wastes the report.

For a wider view, see our complete Dublin snagging guide.