MAH Inspections Ltd

Independent snagging inspections for new homes in the Midlands

MAH Inspections Ltd is a British company specialising in the inspection of defects — known in the industry as snagging — in new-build homes. Its stated area of operation covers the Midlands and surrounding areas, with documented cases in Derbyshire, Stratford upon Avon and Leicestershire. The firm presents itself as a completely independent service: it has no ties to builders or developers and works exclusively for the buyer.

All inspections are carried out by the company director, Mark Horne, without subcontracting the work to third parties. The company states that this personal dedication allows it to handle customer enquiries seven days a week.

Inspection and technical verification services

MAH Inspections Ltd's service catalogue goes beyond residential snagging and includes several technical services for new-build and refurbished properties:

• Snagging inspections: a complete review of every room, finish, installation and component of the home, checked against UK building regulations and the standards and tolerances of warranty providers.
• Clerk of Works: a technical supervision service that verifies that works are carried out in accordance with the contract documents and industry best practice.
• Internal wall measuring: digital measurement of rooms using a laser distance meter, useful for checking that actual dimensions match the layout plans.
• Acoustic report: airborne and impact sound insulation testing, required in new-build properties — if robust details have not been adopted — and in converted dwellings with separating walls or floors.
• Thermal imaging: use of a thermal imaging camera to obtain infrared images that identify thermal differences in the building or its fabric. The company specifies that this is a thermal image check and not a full thermal survey.

Four-step working process

The company structures its work in four phases. First, the customer contacts the team to arrange an appointment at the property. Then a full inspection of the property is carried out. Next, a photographic and annotated report is issued, with a detailed description of each defect and its location. Finally, MAH Inspections Ltd offers a reinspection visit after the developer has resolved the defects, to verify that they have been corrected to the required standards. The company refers to its prices section for the fees for this service.

Director's background and qualifications

Mark Horne founded MAH Inspections Ltd after a career as a quality control manager at a bespoke home builder. He previously accumulated more than twenty years of experience as a site manager, during which he received numerous NHBC Pride in the Job and Seal of Excellence awards, as well as a Highly Commended mention for health and safety. The company highlights that these recognitions reflected his attention to detail and consistent quality standards throughout the construction process.

Horne also holds a Clerk of Works qualification from the University of Wolverhampton and has practical knowledge of building regulations and the NHBC, Premier and LABC standards. His credentials include Incorporate level membership of the CIOB since 2008, the LICWCI degree, the CSCS management card, the CITB SMSTS certificate and RPSA Tech accreditation. The company holds professional indemnity insurance with a limit of £1 million and public liability insurance with a limit of £2 million.

Coverage areas

MAH Inspections Ltd lists Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire as its service areas. The company has published case studies of inspections carried out in Derbyshire, Stratford upon Avon and Leicestershire, as well as a specific Clerk of Works case study.

Reports and customer reviews

The reports delivered by the company are photographic and annotated, with a description and location of each defect detected. The firm states that it has more than 600 reviews and includes customer testimonials that highlight the professional backing of the report when dealing with the developer and the usefulness of the inspection in high-value homes. In its pitch, MAH Inspections Ltd notes that Which? magazine recommends hiring a professional, experienced company to carry out snagging on a new home, and puts the typical cost of this type of inspection at a few hundred pounds.

Location and contact

Wheelwrights Cottage, Main Street, Gilmorton, Leicestershire, LE17 5LS · Phone: 01455 332077 · Email: info@mahinspections.co.uk · Hours: Telephone support seven days a week.