Questions.

A snag is a fault in a new home that should have been put right before you were handed the keys. Most are cosmetic, things like poor plasterwork, paint runs, badly fitted doors or chipped tiles. Some are not, and those are the ones worth finding early.

Ideally before you complete, while you still hold the most leverage with the developer. That is not always possible, and if you have already moved in it makes little difference to the inspection itself. Access can be arranged after completion.

I take as long as the house needs. That depends on how it has been built, so it varies from one property to the next.

If your home came with a new build warranty, and most do, the first two years after legal completion are the builder's responsibility. NHBC's Buildmark is the most common, with Premier Guarantee and LABC working in a similar way. During that period the builder, not the warranty provider, is responsible for putting right anything that fails to meet the warranty standards. Report problems to your builder in writing and keep a record of everything.

If you do not get a response within 30 days, or you are not happy with the builder's decision, you can ask NHBC for their resolution service. After two years the cover narrows to structural defects only, so it is worth checking your own policy documents.

Yes. I am instructed by you, paid by you, and I report to you. Nobody else in the handover process is, which is the whole reason for having your own inspection.

Every inspection covers the property inside and out. Thermal imaging and a drone survey can be added, and a re-snag can be booked separately once your builder says the work is finished.

Once your builder tells you the original list has been dealt with, I check the work was actually done, done to a decent standard, and that nothing else was damaged along the way.

A thermal camera picks up what the eye cannot, most usefully gaps in insulation behind walls and ceilings. Not every home needs it. It is worth considering if you have cold spots, or if you want the insulation checked before the two year warranty period runs out.

Within 24 hours of the inspection.