Kitchen defects in new builds

SiteSnag’s library has 42 entries under kitchen, and 1 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 32 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 42 entries

1. Wall cabinet not secured

   Safety

   Wall unit not securely fixed. Re-fix immediately.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   None listed

2. Appliance not working

   Major

   Appliance does not operate correctly. Investigate and repair/replace.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   None listed

3. Leak under sink

   Major

   Water leak from waste or supply under sink. Repair and dry out.

   Trade

   Plumber

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 8.1

4. Worktop joint not tight

   Moderate

   Worktop joint open/uneven. Re-make joint and seal.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 9.4

5. Damaged worktop

   Moderate

   Worktop chipped/scratched. Repair or replace.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 9.4

6. Extractor not ducted externally

   Moderate

   Cooker hood recirculates or duct not connected to outside where required. Duct to outside.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   Approved Document F

7. Carcass damaged / water swollen

   Moderate

   Cabinet carcass damaged or chipboard swollen by water. Replace affected unit.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 9.4

8. Sink cut-out not sealed

   Moderate

   Sink or hob cut-out not sealed. Seal to prevent water damage.

   Trade

   Kitchen fitter

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 9.4

9. Sink loose / not sealed

   Moderate

   Sink moves or seal to worktop failed. Re-fix and seal.

   Trade

   Plumber

   Reference

   NHBC Standards 8.1

10. Sink waste slow / leaking

    Moderate

    Sink drains slowly or waste connection weeps. Clear and re-make joint.

    Trade

    Plumber

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 8.1

11. Oven / hob not working

    Moderate

    Oven or hob does not operate correctly. Check connection and repair or replace.

    Trade

    Electrician

    Reference

    None listed

12. Fridge / freezer not working

    Moderate

    Integrated fridge or freezer not cooling or not working. Repair or replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    None listed

13. Dishwasher not working / leaking

    Moderate

    Dishwasher not working or leaking. Check supply and waste connections, repair.

    Trade

    Plumber

    Reference

    None listed

14. Isolation switch not labelled / accessible

    Moderate

    Appliance isolation switches missing, unlabelled or inaccessible. Provide and label.

    Trade

    Electrician

    Reference

    BS 7671

15. Misaligned cabinet doors

    Minor

    Cabinet doors/drawer fronts out of alignment. Adjust hinges/runners.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

16. Missing plinth or end panel

    Minor

    Plinth/end panel not fitted. Fit missing panel.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

17. Appliance not level / secured

    Minor

    Appliance not level or not fixed in housing. Adjust and secure.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    None listed

18. Sealant missing to worktop / upstand

    Minor

    Sealant missing at worktop/upstand junction. Seal.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    None listed

19. Cabinet door / drawer damaged

    Minor

    Cabinet door or drawer front chipped or damaged. Replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    None listed

20. Cupboard door not closing

    Minor

    Cupboard door does not close fully or springs open. Adjust hinges.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

21. Cupboard door hinge loose / broken

    Minor

    Cupboard door hinge loose, broken or soft-close not working. Re-fix or replace hinge.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

22. Cupboard door catching adjacent door

    Minor

    Cupboard door clashes with neighbouring door, handle or appliance when opened. Adjust or fit clearance.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

23. Uneven gaps between unit doors

    Minor

    Gaps between cupboard doors and drawer fronts are uneven. Adjust to consistent gaps.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

24. Cupboard door / drawer front scratched

    Minor

    Scratch or scuff to door or drawer front surface. Repair or replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

25. Edging tape lifting

    Minor

    Edge banding lifting or missing on door, panel or carcass. Re-bond or replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

26. Drawer sticking / not running smoothly

    Minor

    Drawer binds, drops or does not run smoothly. Adjust or replace runners.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

27. Drawer not closing flush

    Minor

    Drawer front stands proud or does not close fully. Adjust runners and front.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

28. Handle loose / missing

    Minor

    Cupboard or drawer handle loose or not fitted. Fit / re-fix.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

29. Shelf or shelf pegs missing

    Minor

    Shelves or support pegs missing from cupboard. Provide.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

30. Units not level / out of line

    Minor

    Base or wall units not level or not in line. Re-level and re-align.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

31. Plinth loose / damaged

    Minor

    Plinth loose, damaged or clips missing. Re-fix or replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

32. Cornice / pelmet missing or loose

    Minor

    Cornice or pelmet to wall units missing, loose or poorly jointed. Fit / re-fix.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

33. Filler panel / scribe poor

    Minor

    Filler panel or scribe to wall leaves visible gaps. Re-scribe or replace.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

34. Worktop not level

    Minor

    Worktop is out of level or rocks. Re-level and re-fix.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

35. Worktop edge / end not sealed

    Minor

    Cut edge or end of worktop not sealed, risk of water swelling. Seal.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

36. Upstand / splashback gaps

    Minor

    Upstand or splashback poorly fitted, gaps or open joints. Re-fit and seal.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

37. Kitchen tap loose / dripping

    Minor

    Kitchen tap moves on worktop or drips. Tighten and repair.

    Trade

    Plumber

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 8.1

38. Cooker hood not working

    Minor

    Cooker hood fan or light not working. Repair.

    Trade

    Electrician

    Reference

    Approved Document F

39. Integrated appliance door misaligned

    Minor

    Décor door on integrated appliance misaligned with adjacent units. Adjust.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    NHBC Standards 9.4

40. Appliance manuals / guarantees missing

    Minor

    Appliance manuals and guarantee paperwork not provided. Provide.

    Trade

    Developer

    Reference

    None listed

41. Appliance damaged / scratched

    Minor

    Appliance dented, scratched or damaged. Replace or repair.

    Trade

    Kitchen fitter

    Reference

    None listed

42. Under-cabinet lights not working

    Minor

    Under-cabinet or plinth lights not working. Repair.

    Trade

    Electrician

    Reference

    BS 7671

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

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• Decoration (20)
• Walls & ceilings (19)
• Doors & joinery (38)
• Windows & glazing (22)
• Floors (16)
• Tiling (12)
• 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)