External defects in new builds

SiteSnag’s library has 33 entries under external, and 3 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 23 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 33 entries

1. Uneven paving / trip hazard

   Safety

   Paving slabs uneven, creating a trip hazard. Re-lay level.

   Trade

   Groundworks

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 10.2

2. External steps without handrail

   Safety

   External steps lack a handrail. Fit handrail.

   Trade

   Groundworks

   Reference

   Approved Document K

3. Retaining / boundary wall unstable

   Safety

   Retaining or boundary wall leaning or cracked. Investigate and make safe.

   Trade

   Bricklayer

   Reference

   None listed

4. Cracked / slipped roof tile

   Major

   Roof tile cracked or slipped. Replace/re-fix to prevent water ingress.

   Trade

   Roofer

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 7.2

5. External door threshold leaking

   Major

   Water entering at external door threshold. Seal and fit weather bar.

   Trade

   Glazier

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 6.7

6. Cladding panel loose / damaged

   Major

   External cladding panel loose, damaged or open-jointed. Investigate and secure.

   Trade

   Cladding contractor

   Reference

   Approved Document B

7. Missing / incomplete mortar

   Moderate

   Mortar joints incomplete or missing. Re-point.

   Trade

   Bricklayer

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 6.1

8. Blocked weep vent

   Moderate

   Weep vent blocked or missing. Clear/fit vent.

   Trade

   Bricklayer

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 6.1

9. Leaking gutter / downpipe

   Moderate

   Gutter or downpipe leaking or misaligned. Re-align and seal.

   Trade

   Roofer

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 7.2

10. Standing water / ponding

    Moderate

    Water ponds on hard landscaping after rain. Correct falls or add drainage.

    Trade

    Groundworks

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

11. Cracked render

    Moderate

    Render cracked. Investigate cause and repair.

    Trade

    Render contractor

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.11

12. Render bellcast / stop bead missing

    Moderate

    Render not finished with bellcast or bead above DPC. Rectify.

    Trade

    Render contractor

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.11

13. Cavity tray stop end missing

    Moderate

    Stop ends missing at cavity trays/lintels. Fit.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.1

14. Gutter overflowing / wrong fall

    Moderate

    Gutter overflows or falls incorrectly. Re-align.

    Trade

    Roofer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 7.2

15. Downpipe not connected to drain

    Moderate

    Downpipe discharges onto ground. Connect to drainage.

    Trade

    Groundworks

    Reference

    Approved Document H

16. Patio falls towards house

    Moderate

    Patio or paving falls towards the building. Re-lay to fall away.

    Trade

    Groundworker

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

17. Driveway cracked / sunk

    Moderate

    Driveway surface cracked, sunk or loose. Repair.

    Trade

    Groundworker

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

18. Garden steps uneven / no handrail

    Moderate

    Garden steps uneven or without handrail. Repair.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    None listed

19. Door canopy / porch defective

    Moderate

    Canopy or porch roof loose, leaking or damaged. Repair.

    Trade

    Builder

    Reference

    None listed

20. Spalled / frost damaged brickwork

    Moderate

    Brick faces spalling from frost. Replace bricks and repoint.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.1

21. Mortar stains on brickwork

    Minor

    Mortar smears/stains on facing brickwork. Clean down.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.1

22. Damaged / chipped brick

    Minor

    Brick face damaged or chipped. Replace brick.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.1

23. Fence panel damaged / loose

    Minor

    Fence panel or post damaged/loose. Repair or replace.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

24. Poor turf / topsoil

    Minor

    Turf not established or debris in topsoil. Remove debris and re-turf.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

25. Efflorescence / staining to brickwork

    Minor

    White salts or staining on brickwork. Clean down and monitor.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    None listed

26. Pointing recessed / cracked

    Minor

    Mortar pointing cracked or inconsistent. Rake out and repoint.

    Trade

    Bricklayer

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 6.1

27. Fascia / soffit damaged

    Minor

    Fascia or soffit damaged or loose. Repair or replace.

    Trade

    Roofer

    Reference

    None listed

28. Garden gate not closing / latching

    Minor

    Gate drops, sticks or does not latch. Adjust.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    None listed

29. Fence post loose / rotten

    Minor

    Fence post rotten or moves. Replace.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    None listed

30. Garden levels / drainage poor

    Minor

    Garden waterlogged or levels incorrect. Regrade and improve drainage.

    Trade

    Landscaper

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 10.2

31. Outbuilding / shed defective

    Minor

    Shed or outbuilding roof, door or structure defective. Repair.

    Trade

    Builder

    Reference

    None listed

32. External render / cladding staining

    Minor

    Render or cladding stained or green growth. Clean and treat.

    Trade

    Builder

    Reference

    None listed

33. Bin store / refuse area defective

    Minor

    Bin store door, roof or surface defective. Repair.

    Trade

    Builder

    Reference

    None listed

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: Electrical (28). Next: General (9).

• Decoration (20)
• Walls & ceilings (19)
• Doors & joinery (38)
• Windows & glazing (22)
• Floors (16)
• Tiling (12)
• Kitchen (42)
• Bathroom (29)
• Plumbing (17)
• Heating (15)
• Electrical (28)
• 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)