Buying a new build in Abu Dhabi is exciting. Accepting handover is the moment it all becomes real. But it is also the point where a lot of buyers make a costly mistake. They sign the paperwork before anyone has properly looked at the property.
A snagging survey is an independent professional inspection of your new home, carried out before you formally accept it from the developer. It records the condition of the property at the point of handover. Every defect, every unfinished item, everything that does not match what you were sold gets documented in writing with photographs.
Once you sign the acceptance documents, your position changes. The developer's obligation to fix problems under the original contract is much weaker than it was before you accepted. Timing matters, and the inspection needs to happen before you pick up the keys.
Finishes
Every wall, floor and ceiling. Paint quality, tiling, grouting, skirting boards and fitted joinery. Scratches, chips and gaps documented with photos.
MEP Systems
Every socket tested, every switch checked, AC units operated, water pressure verified and drainage confirmed. Not looked at. Tested.
Waterproofing
Bathrooms, wet rooms, balconies and roof areas. In Abu Dhabi's climate, a waterproofing failure is expensive. Every water-exposed element assessed properly.
Structure
External walls, cladding, windows, balcony balustrades and glazing seals. Any visible structural concerns noted.
Specification
Does what was delivered match what you purchased? Checked against your SPA, finishing schedule and approved drawings.
Report
Everything found goes into a written report with photographs and location references. That is what you give the developer when requesting repairs.
Developer issues handover notification
This is your trigger. Book your inspection as soon as this arrives. Not after a visit, not once the movers are sorted.
Independent RICS inspection carried out
Your surveyor inspects the full property. This is the period of maximum leverage. The developer is still contractually obligated to deliver in agreed condition.
Report submitted to developer
Written defect report delivered within 48 hours. Submitted through official developer channels. Rectification requested before acceptance.
De-snagging inspection confirms repairs
Follow-up inspection checks all items have been properly addressed. Not painted over. Properly fixed.
Basic snagging company
Visual checklist
- Identifies visible cosmetic defects
- Photographic punch list
- Limited structural knowledge
- No professional accountability
- Weaker weight in disputes
- No MEP technical depth
RICS Chartered Surveyor
Professional assessment
- Full structural and MEP assessment
- Professionally regulated
- Accountable for report quality
- Stronger weight in disputes
- Waterproofing expertise
- Spec compliance verification
AED 1,500
1 to 2 bed apartment from
AED 2,500+
Larger apartments and villas from
48hr
Report delivery target
A RICS-regulated inspection costs more than a basic snagging service. On a property worth AED 1.5 million or more, that fee is a small part of the overall purchase. Missing a serious waterproofing defect or a specification shortfall costs considerably more to sort out later.
Approaching handover on a new build in Abu Dhabi?
Inspec Building Consultancy provides RICS-regulated independent snagging inspections across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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