The snagging log — record defects so a judge can award them
The short answer: a snagging log is one table, kept from day one: every defect, its location, the date noticed, photo numbers, and what putting it right costs. It becomes the backbone of your schedule of loss and the exhibit list at hearing.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
The table (copy this structure)
| # | Date noticed | Room/location | Defect (plain words) | Photo #s | Agreed? | Remedy cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 May | Kitchen | Worktop chip 30mm near hob | P4–P6 | No | £120 (quote A) |
| 2 | 2 June | Bathroom | Sealant cracked along bath — water under floor | P12–P14 | No | surveyor |
Rules: one defect per row; photograph before touching; never delete rows (mark "remedied [date]" instead); get the builder's response in writing per row — agreement or dispute, both are evidence.
Photograph discipline
Wide shot for location, close-up for detail, something for scale (coin/tape), and keep the phone's originals — evidence guide.
From log to claim
Rows agreed → remedy deadline. Rows disputed → letter before action attaching the log. Hidden damage found later (bathroom leaks, kitchen plumbing) — add rows immediately with written notification to the builder the same day.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.