What Should You Ask Before Booking a Snagging Inspection?

Start with the outcome you need

Explain the property, stage of work and reason for the visit. Say whether you want an initial list, a check of particular repairs, or an account of concerns you cannot describe confidently. Give the inspector your most important questions before asking for a date or price. They can then explain whether their service fits.

Ask what will be inspected and how. Does the appointment cover accessible external areas? Are cupboards included? Will normal user controls be operated, and under what conditions? Do not assume a visual snagging visit includes opening up work, testing services or investigating concealed construction. Request a written description of the agreed scope and exclusions.

Make access and timing explicit

• Who has authorised entry, and who will meet the inspector?
• Which rooms and shared spaces can be accessed?
• Will the building still have active work, stored materials or occupants?
• What arrangements apply to parking, induction and photographs?
• What happens if the property is not ready on the day?

Give realistic information about access rather than promising everything will be available. If an escort must leave at a fixed time, that constraint matters. Discuss how additional visits or changes are agreed before they become a surprise. Keep the booking arrangements separate from any construction or purchase deadlines; an inspection appointment does not change those deadlines automatically.

Ask what the report will let you do

Request a sample report with client information removed. Look for clear locations, understandable observations, useful photographs and a distinction between findings and areas not inspected. Ask when the report is expected, who receives it, and how factual corrections or follow-up questions are handled.

If you need to send work to several contractors, explain that workflow. If the report must enter an existing client portal, confirm the required format. A beautiful PDF can still create extra work if the recipient needs item references in another system. Also establish whether a later repair check is part of the booking or a separate instruction.

Send a short written brief

An illustrative brief is: “Please record visible finishing issues in the accessible rooms of Unit 4 before our contractor meeting. The garage is excluded because it remains a work area. We particularly want the kitchen cupboard concern recorded. Please confirm the inspection limits, expected report date and arrangements if access changes.”

Ask the provider to confirm that understanding. Keep their reply with the booking and send any revised plans before attendance. If you have concerns about structural movement or a system's safety, describe them plainly so an appropriately qualified person can be engaged. Use the document request checklist to prepare the supporting information without sending an unfiltered archive.