Frequently Asked Questions

We get asked questions about what we do and how it can help developers all the time. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and our answers.

If there’s anything else you would like to know we’d be happy to give you some advice over the phone. Contact us here to find out more or visit our Linkedin page for up to date content

What is the Builder’s Liability Period? 

Now called the Builder’s Rectification Period, this refers to a period of time following the legal completion of a new build residential property. The warranty provider (NHBC, Premiere Guarantee etc.) requires the developer to be responsible for resolving any legitimate build defects during this time. 

How long is the Builder’s Liability Period? 

This is usually the first two years between the date of legal completion (when the purchaser completes on the sale) and the 2nd anniversary of this date. Depending on the warranty covering the property, this period may be less or more but two years is standard. 

Who is responsible for the Builder’s Liability Period? 

The easiest way to find this out is to check with the warranty provider or to look at the warranty certificate. It’s usually the property developer but it could also be the main contractor who worked on the build or in some cases a 3rd party. Ultimately whoever is named by the warranty provider is legally responsible for these obligations. Although individual commercial agreements may come into play. 

What is a snag?

A snag is a legitimate issue with the finished property on the day it is sold to a purchaser. At this time nothing should be wrong and so if anything is, this is called a snag. Snags can be identified by a purchaser on an initial snag list. The time allowed to identify snags differs depending on the developer. It is a good idea to implement such a process as it protects both parties.

What is a defect? 

A defect is a legitimate issue which arises during the builder’s liability period (post Legal Completion). These are defined by the warranty provider’s guidelines but essentially it’s anything which fails or breaks because of failure of product or workmanship in the property. 

Do I have to give purchasers a home demonstration? 

There’s no legal requirement to do this but it’s an industry standard as well as a very good idea. If you don’t have one it can cause problems later on, which are otherwise easily solved. A good purchaser or home demonstration should accomplish the following: 

• Positively introduce the property to the purchaser
• Eliminate user error 
• Explain the after care procedures and manage expectations of future contact.

Do I have to have out of hours cover? 

It is a requirement of the warranty provider that defects are responded to in a reasonable timescale. If your purchaser is experiencing an emergency problem caused by a defect then it would be reasonable to respond to this the same night or weekend. 

Do I have to do a snag survey? 

Throughout the build of a plot there’ll be a number of different inspections, the last one being a ‘build snag’. This should be conducted by the build team or contractor and correct all remaining snags after which they will indicate that the plot is complete and ready for sale. After Build recommend a pre-occupation survey following this process – we will identify issues that have been overlooked (better we do than your customer). Most customer dissatisfaction arises from issues which were not put right before sale. Working from our survey report, there should still be time for your contractor to resolve any last minute concerns before the purchaser moves in. 

Can I manage my defects using software? 

The short answer is no. You can manage your defects using a combination of software and people. It’s not possible to use just software because somebody has to manage the process. You don’t have to have special software (although it helps) but you do need people. Why not use After Build, we have both in house! 

How much does it cost to manage defects?

This depends on how many plots you have, the level of service you want those purchasers to receive and how you decide to mange them? After Build can show you the costs of managing your defects in-house using our Cost Calculator.