What is handover snagging?
Handover snagging is an independent inspection of a newly built property before the buyer formally accepts it. The engineer works through every room and system and records each defect: anything damaged, unfinished, badly installed or not working. You end up with a single snag list that you give to the developer, who then arranges the fixes before (or shortly after) you take possession.
In Dubai, most off-plan buyers receive a handover or "inspection" appointment from the developer. That appointment is the right moment to snag, because the developer's handover team is on site and is set up to close out defects.
Why it pays to snag before you sign
- Leverage. Before you sign the handover acceptance, closing out your snags is part of the developer's handover process. Afterwards, requests usually go through a general maintenance queue.
- Hidden defects. Hollow tiles, failed waterproofing, AC units that can't keep up in August and wiring faults are rarely visible on a 15-minute walkthrough.
- Evidence. A dated, photographed report shows which defects existed at handover, which helps if something comes back during the defects liability period.
What the inspection covers
We use a checklist built around how Dubai homes actually fail: heat, humidity, dust and fast-tracked finishing.
- AC and ventilation: cooling performance in each room, thermostat and fan-coil operation, condensate drainage, extract fans.
- Electrical: every socket tested for polarity and earth, earth-leakage (RCD) trip test, lights, switches and distribution board.
- Plumbing: water pressure, hot water, leaks under sinks, drainage flow and floor traps.
- Waterproofing and wet areas: shower falls, grout and silicone, moisture behind tiles (checked with a moisture meter and thermal camera), balcony drainage.
- Floors and tiles: hollow tiles by tap test, lippage, levels, chips and cracks.
- Walls, ceilings, paint, doors and windows: cracks, levels, finish, alignment, seals against dust and water ingress.
- Kitchen and appliances: hob, oven, hood, dishwasher, cabinets and worktops.
- Safety: smoke detectors, balcony railings, gas points where installed.
Townhouses and villas also include accessible external areas: drainage, boundary walls, roof access, garage and maid's room.
How it works
- Send us the details: community, building or villa number, size and your handover appointment date.
- Confirm the price and slot: pricing is size-based, and we coordinate access with the developer's handover team.
- The inspection: most apartments take 2–4 hours; villas can take most of a day. You don't need to attend.
- Your report: within 24–48 hours you receive a PDF with a photo, location and severity rating for every snag, ready to forward to the developer.
- Re-inspection: once the developer reports the fixes complete, we can come back and check every item off.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book handover snagging?
As soon as you receive the handover or inspection notice from your developer. Slots fill up around large handovers, so earlier is better, and always before you sign the handover acceptance.
Will the developer accept your report?
Developers routinely work from independent snag reports. Ours is organised room by room with photos and exact locations, the format site teams use to assign work to contractors.
I live overseas. Can you handle it without me?
Yes. We coordinate access with the developer, carry out the inspection and email you the full report. You can then forward it to the developer or authorise us to share it.
What if the developer doesn't fix everything?
Book a re-inspection after the developer says the work is done. We'll check each item and give you an updated report showing what's closed and what's still open.
How long does handover snagging take?
Typically 2–4 hours for an apartment and 4–8 hours for a villa, depending on size and how many defects we find.