Doors & joinery defects in new builds

SiteSnag’s library has 38 entries under doors & joinery, and 7 of them are marked as safety or critical items. They’re listed below with the most serious first. Each one gives the wording an inspector would put in a report and the trade that would fix it, and 29 carry a reference to the standard or guidance they relate to. The references help you look up the relevant section and aren’t a statement that a particular home does or doesn’t comply.

All 38 entries

1. Fire door not self-closing

   Safety

   Fire door does not fully close under its own closer. Adjust closer so door closes and latches.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document B

2. Loose handrail / balustrade

   Safety

   Handrail or balustrade is loose. Secure firmly.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document K

3. Fire door gap excessive

   Safety

   Gap between fire door leaf and frame is excessive (typically over 4 mm) or uneven. Adjust or replace leaf.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document B

4. Intumescent / smoke seals missing

   Safety

   Intumescent strips or smoke seals missing or painted over on fire door. Fit correct seals.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document B

5. Balustrade gap over 100 mm

   Safety

   Gap between balusters or under handrail allows a 100 mm sphere to pass. Infill to comply.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document K

6. Stair headroom insufficient

   Safety

   Headroom over stair appears below 2.0 m. Investigate and correct.

   Trade

   Builder

   Reference

   Approved Document K

7. Glazed door not safety glass

   Safety

   Glazed panel in door not marked as safety glass. Replace.

   Trade

   Glazier

   Reference

   Approved Document K

8. Damaged door leaf

   Moderate

   Door leaf damaged (dent/split). Repair or replace.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 9.4

9. Loft hatch not insulated / sealed

   Moderate

   Loft hatch lacks insulation or draught seal. Insulate and seal.

   Trade

   Carpenter / Joiner

   Reference

   Approved Document L

10. Stair tread / nosing damaged

    Moderate

    Stair tread or nosing chipped or damaged. Repair or replace.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.6

11. Front door not sealing / draughty

    Moderate

    Entrance door lets in draughts or daylight at the seals. Adjust and replace seals.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.7

12. Front door lock stiff / faulty

    Moderate

    Entrance door lock or multipoint mechanism stiff or not engaging. Adjust or replace.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.7

13. Door warped / twisted

    Moderate

    Door leaf warped so it does not sit flat to the stop. Replace leaf.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

14. Door frame / lining loose or not plumb

    Moderate

    Door lining moves or is out of plumb. Re-fix and pack.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

15. Bifold / patio door stiff or misaligned

    Moderate

    Bifold or sliding door runs roughly, drops or does not lock. Adjust.

    Trade

    Window installer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.7

16. Door catching on frame

    Minor

    Door catches on frame/floor when operated. Ease and adjust so it closes freely.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

17. Door not latching

    Minor

    Door does not latch when closed. Adjust keep/latch.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

18. Uneven door gaps

    Minor

    Gaps around door leaf are uneven. Re-hang/adjust to give a consistent gap.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

19. Open mitre joint

    Minor

    Mitre joint to architrave/skirting has opened. Re-fix, fill and redecorate.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

20. Missing door stop

    Minor

    Door stop not fitted; handle will damage wall. Fit door stop.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

21. Creaking stair tread

    Minor

    Stair tread creaks underfoot. Secure tread to eliminate noise.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.6

22. Door rubbing on floor covering

    Minor

    Door rubs on carpet/flooring. Trim door bottom and seal edge.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

23. Door handle loose / misaligned

    Minor

    Door handle loose or not aligned with latch. Re-fix.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

24. Hinge screws missing

    Minor

    Screws missing from hinges. Fit all screws.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

25. Skirting board loose

    Minor

    Skirting board loose from wall. Re-fix, fill and redecorate.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

26. Wardrobe doors misaligned

    Minor

    Wardrobe/sliding doors misaligned or not running smoothly. Adjust.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

27. Letterbox / door furniture damaged

    Minor

    Letterbox, knocker or door furniture damaged or missing. Replace.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

28. Door spy / chain missing

    Minor

    Door viewer or security chain not fitted as specified. Fit.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

29. Door binding on hinge side

    Minor

    Door springs back or binds on its hinges. Adjust hinge recesses.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

30. Door swings open / closed on its own

    Minor

    Door not hung plumb so it swings by itself. Re-hang.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

31. Architrave loose / damaged

    Minor

    Architrave loose, split or damaged. Re-fix or replace.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

32. Door stop bead loose / missing

    Minor

    Door stop bead loose, misaligned or missing. Re-fix.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

33. Lock / latch keep misaligned

    Minor

    Latch or lock does not line up with keep. Adjust keep.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

34. Door keys missing

    Minor

    Keys not provided for lockable internal or external doors. Provide.

    Trade

    Developer

    Reference

    None listed

35. Bathroom door lock missing / faulty

    Minor

    Thumb-turn lock to bathroom or WC missing or faulty. Fit or repair.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    None listed

36. Skirting joints open

    Minor

    Skirting joint or mitre open. Re-make, fill and paint.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

37. Gap under skirting

    Minor

    Gap between skirting and floor. Re-fix or scribe.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

38. Boxing / pipe casing loose

    Minor

    Pipe boxing loose, damaged or poorly finished. Re-fix and make good.

    Trade

    Carpenter / Joiner

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

Using these in a report

In the SiteSnag app, starting to type a defect title in the camera brings up these entries. Picking one fills in the description, severity, trade and reference, and you can edit the wording or add your own defects to the library. Every snag then goes into the branded PDF report with its photos and a numbered pin on the floor plan.

For a room-by-room walk-round, use the new build snagging checklist, or go back to all defect categories.

Other categories

Previous: Walls & ceilings (19). Next: Windows & glazing (22).

• Decoration (20)
• Walls & ceilings (19)
• Windows & glazing (22)
• Floors (16)
• Tiling (12)
• Kitchen (42)
• Bathroom (29)
• Plumbing (17)
• Heating (15)
• Electrical (28)
• External (33)
• General (9)
• Ventilation (6)
• Insulation & damp (10)
• Roofing (18)
• Drainage (8)
• Garage (5)
• Fire safety (17)
• Accessibility (8)
• Commercial fit-out (10)
• Mechanical & electrical (11)
• Lifts & doors (5)
• Car park & external works (7)
• Signage & security (6)
• Fitted furniture (7)
• Stairs (6)
• Structure (8)
• Timber & pests (8)
• Communal areas (6)