Premier Snag

Premier Snag: independent snagging inspections for UK new-build homes

Premier Snag carries out snagging inspections on newly built homes in the United Kingdom. The company positions itself as the country's number one home snagging inspection provider and states that it has helped more than 6,000 homeowners. Its work centres on identifying defects and unfinished items left after construction, then documenting them in a photographic report that the buyer can use with the developer while warranty obligations still apply.

The service is presented as independent of the builder: the company says it works for the buyer rather than the developer. Reports are delivered within 48 hours of the site visit, usually sooner according to the company, and include advice on warranty rights alongside the snag list.

Inspection method and equipment

Inspections are described as room-by-room visual checks covering walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and visible structural issues. The company also tests and records plumbing, electrics and heating, including plug sockets, radiators, taps and the heating system.

Beyond visual inspection, Premier Snag uses professional drones and thermal imaging cameras to detect defects that are not visible to an untrained eye. Thermal imaging is used to reveal cold spots, missing insulation and other hidden problems behind plasterboard, while drone checks cover the roof, gutters and exterior. The resulting report is a detailed, photographic snag list intended to be easy to read and follow.

Survey and valuation services

Alongside snagging, the company lists a broader set of property reports:

• Home snagging survey
• Pre-completion inspection
• RICS survey Level 1 (Condition)
• RICS survey Level 2 (HomeBuyer)
• RICS survey Level 3 (Building)
• Help to Buy valuation
• Matrimonial valuation
• Commercial survey
• Specialist report
• Aerial drone survey
• Build testing
• Premier warranties

Packages and pricing structure

The company offers fixed-price packages agreed up front, with no deposit required to book. Pricing depends on the size of the property and the level of support chosen, and surveys start from £320.

Three packages are highlighted. The Pre-Completion Inspection, available for properties built by NHQB-registered developers, follows the NHQB checklist before legal completion and covers visual fixtures, fittings and finish; it is listed from £355. The Premier Gold Package is a post-completion snagging survey with a full room-by-room inspection, drone and thermal imaging where needed, and a photographic report within 48 hours, also from £355. The Premier Platinum Package combines the pre-completion inspection and the post-completion snagging survey in one booking, with the same inspector across both visits, from £639.

At the time of writing, the site advertised a 5% August reduction applied automatically to these packages, with a 36-hour notice requirement and an end date of 31 August.

Booking process and coverage

Prospective clients enter a postcode to confirm coverage and see a price, then choose a package and date. The company says booking takes about two minutes, requires no deposit and can be paid securely online or by BACS, with instant confirmation. The homeowner does not need to be present during the inspection.

Accreditation, insurance and guarantees

Premier Snag states that it is SMAS SSIP and CHAS accredited and holds professional indemnity cover. It also offers a free re-check of disputed snags: if the builder challenges a finding, the company says it will revisit it at no cost, subject to its terms and conditions.

Reputation and media coverage

The company reports a 5.0 rating from more than 1,000 Google reviews and describes itself as five-star rated. It also references a Trustpilot presence. Published customer comments on the site mention thorough inspections, clear reports, punctuality and responsiveness, with reviewers identified by first name and location such as Birmingham, London, Yorkshire, Coventry, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Liverpool.

Premier Snag notes that BBC News filmed one of its inspections of a new-build in Oxfordshire, published on 28 March 2024, and that its co-founder was interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford about why independent snagging matters for new-build owners.