Quotes
What a good builder quote includes
The line items, exclusions and assumptions that separate a real quote from a number on a page.
Snagging
Snagging and the final payment
The Construction Clinic · 4 min read
What to inspect, how to record it, and why the last payment is your strongest position.
Snagging is the structured inspection of finished work against what was agreed. It is not a complaint list — it is a record.
Inspect room by room, in daylight
Work methodically: surfaces, joinery, seals, electrics, doors and windows in operation, drainage, and anything that touches water. Photograph everything and date it.
Why the final payment matters
The final payment is normally the only remaining leverage either party has. Release it once items are resolved or a retention is formally agreed, and record what was agreed at handover — warranties, certificates and manuals included.
More from the library
Contracts
Reading a building contract before you sign
The handful of clauses that decide what happens when the project slips, changes or goes wrong.
Variations
Approving a variation without losing control
How to keep changes on site from quietly rewriting your budget and your completion date.