Building Regulations – Why They’re Important and What They Mean

Building Regulations are a set of standards that must be followed for the design and construction of most new buildings and many alterations of existing buildings in England and Wales. The NHBC (National House Building Council) uses these regulations to make sure all new build homes are compliant.

So, what are these regulations and why do new builds still have snagging issues if these rules exist?

What are building regulations?

Building regulations are documents that cover all aspects of construction. For homeowners, these regulations give you peace of mind that the construction company has done all they can to prevent issues within your new build home. The regulations cover everything from structural safety, ventilation, drainage, and waste disposal to high-speed electronic communications networks (the internet!).

One of the sections covered is the Workmanship and Materials, but this does not mean that you won’t have any snagging issues with your new build home! This part of the regulations is basically just making sure that approved materials are used, and that testing is carried out to demonstrate compliance by the workman. Certain types of work will be automatically approved when carried out by a suitably qualified installer who is a member of an approved competency scheme. All the major new build house contractors will be covered.

New Build Issues

You may be thinking that if there are strict rules in place then why might your new build house have issues? With the pace at which new build houses are being built, there is pressure on the house builder to complete construction at speed. This can leave room for human error. Sometimes, snagging surveys do pick up faults that breach building regulations or other laws, so having a proper snagging survey carried out by a reputable and trusted company like Ignite Property is vital.

A Snagging survey will pick up minor defects such as poor decoration, to more serious structural issues like shoddy foundation work. Something like cracked plaster can be a cause of concern and could be due to a structural defect in the house. Often, cracking is more likely due to shrinkage, thermal or moisture changes in building materials, or ground settlement This is all normal in the initial drying out and settling of a new home but telling the difference can be hard.

Other serious areas for concern are roof trusses and electrical and gas supply issues. However, a new build snagging survey with Ignite Property will quickly help allay any fears you may have and give you the answers you need. Instructing us early in your house building process, ideally before you’ve completed, will give you information to go back to the house builder to make sure things are repaired and rectified before moving day!

Snagging for Peace of Mind

We know that the last thing you might think of is building regulations when buying your new build home, but it’s important to know that the house has been signed off. Even then, it’s still wise to get a snagging survey to thoroughly check over all aspects of your new home, even the parts not visible to the naked eye. That’s why here at Ignite Property we want to help make sure your house is as it should be – perfect.

If you think our services can benefit you and your property then book your survey or contact us to find out more.