RPSA Articles

Why It Matters More Than Ever

With over 200,000 new homes being built annually across the UK, ensuring consistent quality and consumer protection has never been more urgent. As more first-time buyers and families move into these properties, the need for professional, independent snagging has grown—yet awareness remains patchy, and the industry continues to wrestle with inconsistent standards. This is where the RPSA steps in.

At the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), our mission to raise standards in new-build homes remains steadfast, driven by purpose and passion. Behind the scenes, we’re forging stronger industry ties, promoting professionalism, and ensuring homeowners receive the quality they rightly expect. Recent meetings, site visits, and fresh collaborations mark significant progress and reinforce the RPSA's leading role in shaping the industry's future.

Collaborative Progress with the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB)

Our ongoing engagement with the New Homes Quality Board is a key pillar of our work. On 2 April 2025, we participated in a remarkably candid and constructive meeting with the NHQB’s steering group.

A central concern was the worrying rise in unqualified snagging inspectors. These individuals—often lacking formal training—cause significant confusion and dissatisfaction for both developers and homeowners through inconsistent reports and a general undermining of trust in the snagging process itself. Despite the New Homes Quality Code clearly allowing clients to appoint an independent snagging expert, we still see a lack of widespread awareness and openness from some developers regarding this crucial right.

But instead of stamping our feet, we’re building bridges. We understand the challenges faced by builders, and our approach is always one of collaboration, not confrontation.

To help address these issues and demonstrate our commitment, we’ve introduced the RPSA Verified Surveyor scheme. This is a crucial step in restoring confidence and ensuring that properly trained professionals conduct home inspections. The scheme helps differentiate RPSA members from rogue operators, offering peace of mind to both developers and customers by guaranteeing a consistent, high standard of work.

At the same meeting, Adam Warren, an RPSA member and a truly passionate advocate for professional snagging, made a powerful impression. He cut through industry jargon and regulations with a simple truth: snagging is about practical, common-sense judgment. It’s about delivering homes that work and feel right, both aesthetically and functionally – something that clearly struck a chord with everyone present, helping to shift long-standing perceptions about the value of professional snagging.

Reinforcing the Message: Follow-Up with the NHQB

Following that breakthrough discussion, we met again with NHQB CEO Emma Thomas on 30th May 2025, joined by Kelly Skidmore and Adam Warren. This focused session delved deeper into how we can encourage greater uptake of snagging inspections across the board and disseminate the message more effectively to the public.

One standout outcome: Emma has kindly agreed to appear in a forthcoming RPSA video podcast—a significant step forward in raising public awareness directly from the NHQB's Chief Executive! We’re incredibly grateful for this support, which will help shine a spotlight on the benefits of engaging professional, verified surveyors.

Adam is inspecting the show kitchen.

Another key discussion point was the undeniable need for a publicly accessible register of qualified snagging surveyors. Emma and the NHQB team expressed their full support for this direction, recognising the value it would provide to consumers.

What is a Snagging Survey?

A snagging survey is a detailed, independent inspection of a new-build home, typically carried out before legal completion (or soon after moving in). Its primary purpose is to identify any defects, unfinished works, or aesthetic imperfections—anything from a misaligned door to a minor paint blemish—so the builder can address them.

The RPSA believes these inspections are most effective when conducted independently by trained professionals. For homeowners, professional snagging offers clarity, confidence, and often crucial early resolution of problems before they become long-term frustrations. With house prices at record levels, buyers deserve transparency, accountability, and a home that’s truly ready to live in from day one.

On-Site Collaboration: Davidson Homes’ Braidnook Development

On 5th June 2025, just after our meeting with the NHQB, we received a most welcome invitation from Jason Glover, Operations Director of Davidson Homes, to visit their Braidnook site (LE7 4PN). Jason stood out during earlier discussions for his constructive attitude and genuine understanding of the value that professional snagging brings to the overall build process. As we often say, no matter how good a builder is, with a house being constructed in a muddy field by hundreds of different operatives, minor issues are almost inevitable – and that's where professional snagging becomes a positive tool.

Joined by Adam Warren, we conducted an on-site professional demonstration of a snagging inspection. The Braidnook development was genuinely impressive, with thoughtful design, heritage styling, and a clear sense of pride from the entire build team. Features like two-storey lightwells brought a distinct village feel to the site, and the build quality was notably high.

We spoke with finishing foremen, site managers, and sales teams—opening up honest conversations and fostering understanding. The message clearly landed: we’re here to help, not to criticise. A professionally done snagging inspection, we explained, supports site teams, catches the inevitable oversights early, and ultimately leads to improved customer satisfaction and fewer post-completion headaches for the builder.

Talking with Site agents, contracts managers and the sales team on the Davidson Homes site.  Andrew McColl and Adam Warren

One consistent point emerged from the sales staff: their understandable hesitation to recommend individual surveyors directly. They overwhelmingly want a central, impartial register they can confidently point buyers toward, offering choice and transparency. That’s precisely where the RPSA comes in.

The RPSA Difference: Why We're Trusted

The RPSA is uniquely positioned to provide national leadership in snagging and pre-completion inspections:

• ✅ Established Community: With nearly 1,000 members across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, we provide unparalleled national coverage with local expertise.
• ✅ Proven Track Record as a Panel Provider: Over 15 years of successful commercial partnerships and industry collaboration demonstrate our practical, balanced approach.
• ✅ Impartiality & Public Trust: As a not-for-profit organisation, our focus is entirely on upholding standards and serving the public interest, providing transparent and unbiased reassurance to homeowners.
• ✅ Genuine National Reach: Our extensive membership ensures that consistent professional standards are delivered throughout the UK.

What to Expect Next from the RPSA: Empowering Consumers & Raising Awareness

Following the invaluable feedback from Davidson Homes and the NHQB, we’re now fast-tracking these key initiatives:

• Launch of the Consumer Register: A live, searchable directory of qualified RPSA snagging surveyors, open to both individual members and firms, simplifying the process for consumers to find trusted professionals and empowering them with choice.
• Website Revamp: Making it even easier for homeowners to understand the importance of snagging surveys and to find trustworthy professionals.
• Digital Video Series: Covering essential topics such as “Top 10 Snags We Find”, “What to Expect on Inspection Day”, and the long-term value of professional snagging.
• Outreach Campaigns: Targeted social media and press engagement to raise awareness and educate new-build buyers about their rights and the benefits of independent snagging.

Our Thanks

We extend our sincere thanks to Jason Glover and the team at Davidson Homes, as well as to Emma Thomas and the NHQB, for their openness, support, and genuine desire to raise the bar for new homes. Together, we’re building something that goes beyond bricks and mortar: a culture of quality, trust, and professional excellence that spans the entire industry.

Do you know someone moving into a new build?

Share this article or encourage them to visit [rpsa.org.uk] to learn how a snagging survey can protect their investment and ensure their peace of mind.

Jason Glover and Andrew (again)

• 🏡NHQB Snagging Guide to Help New Homeowners  Click Here