to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house

What is snagging?

As a building settles on its foundations, there can be significant knock-on effects on its structure and finish. Problems can range from major shifts of the building’s structure, to a cupboard sticking or drains not working. Identifying faults and getting them rectified before you complete a property purchase is called ‘snagging’.

Snagging is a normal and expected part of the building process. You could do it yourself, but are experienced, qualified and equipped to do it properly? Are you experienced enough to notice that the electricity is only on the builder's supply running at 180 volts, and not the normal 230-250 volts. Have you got a damp meter, can you test for earth bonding? Do you have any idea what earth bonding is?

The other alternative is to leave the process to the sales agent, promoter or builder. The bad news is that all of these interested parties probably just want to get you to part with your money as soon as possible. You will then be on your own to try and negotiate fixes once you've signed for the property. Not all agents or builders are rip-off merchants or cowboys; many are responsible and responsive, as their business relies on their reputation. Even with the good guys, someone has to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house,

a property purchase is called ‘snagging’.

Snagging is a normal and expected part of the building process. You could do it yourself, but are experienced, qualified and equipped to do it properly? Are you experienced enough to notice that the electricity is only on the builder's supply running at 180 volts, and not the normal 230-250 volts. Have you got a damp meter, can you test for earth bonding? Do you have any idea what earth bonding is?

The other alternative is to leave the process to the sales agent, promoter or builder. The bad news is that all of these interested parties probably just want to get you to part with your money as soon as possible. You will then be on your own to try and negotiate fixes once you've signed for the property. Not all agents or builders are rip-off merchants or cowboys; many are responsible and responsive, as their business relies on their reputation. Even with the good guys, someone has to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house

nd not the normal 230-250 volts. Have you got a damp meter, can you test for earth bonding? Do you have any idea what earth bonding is?

The other alternative is to leave the process to the sales agent, promoter or builder. The bad news is that all of these interested parties probably just want to get you to part with your money as soon as possible. You will then be on your own to try and negotiate fixes once you've signed for the property. Not all agents or builders are rip-off merchants or cowboys; many are responsible and responsive, as their business relies on their reputation. Even with the good guys, someone has to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house

part with your money as soon as possible. You will then be on your own to try and negotiate fixes once you've signed for the property. Not all agents or builders are rip-off merchants or cowboys; many are responsible and responsive, as their business relies on their reputation. Even with the good guys, someone has to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house

to be there to say, “This is not right!” in order to get it fixed in the first place.

So what does snagging find?

It is estimated that over 40 per cent of new houses in the UK are professionally snagged. In Spain, this number is less than five per cent. For a typical three bedroom, two bathroom house, there may be 650 different points or more in the building and its surrounding area that need checking. This process is not the same as a ‘survey’ which consists of checking the underlying structure of the building. Snagging checks that the building is fit for habitation and fits its specification, being as near to perfect as possible. IN Spain Snaggers typically advise 26 per cent of their clients not to complete due to problems on inspection. Prices for this service range from 260-400 euros depending on the size of the property. If you consider buying a property in Spain from the UK, this is a small price to pay, when you consider this cost against the bill for flights, hotels, car hire and emotional trauma of your dream home not being ready.

A survey of new builds in Spain showed the following distribution of problems:

• 57% of faults detected in new builds in Spain were about damp! Yes damp; be it rising damp from the ground or poorly insulated walls and ceilings or lack of ventilation.

• 21% for inappropriate fitting of fixed elements such as radiators, toilets, etc.

• 18% for faults found with wooden flooring.

• 15% of faults with poor insulation.

• 10% concerning garages or parking spaces that wer