Apartment snagging inspection
Apartment Snagging in Dubai
Most new homes in Dubai are apartments, and almost every one is handed over with defects that are easy to miss on a short walkthrough. ProSnagging's apartment snagging inspection works through every room and system in your unit, from studio to penthouse, and gives you a photographed snag list the same day so the developer fixes the faults, not you.
- Studios to penthouses
- Every room and system tested
- Same-day photographed report
- Travel within Dubai included
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What our apartment snagging inspection covers
- Windows, glazing and balcony doors: Seals, locks and smooth operation of every window and sliding door, damaged or scratched glass, and signs that water or air is getting in.
- Balconies and terraces: Drainage falls and outlets, tiling and sealant, waterproofing upstands at door thresholds, and secure balustrade fixings.
- Air-conditioning: Cooling performance in every room, thermostat response, noise, condensate drainage and visible duct and grille sealing.
- Electrical points: Every socket, switch and light tested, plus the distribution board, its labelling and kitchen and bathroom fittings.
- Plumbing and wet areas: Water pressure, hot water, leaks under sinks and vanities, drainage speed, shower falls, grout and silicone in every bathroom.
- Kitchen and appliances: Cabinet alignment and doors, worktop joints and sealing, and appliances checked against the specification and working.
- Floors, walls and ceilings: Tiling level and hollow tiles, cracked or chipped finishes, paint quality, skirting, and ceiling and bulkhead finishes.
- Doors, wardrobes and fittings: Alignment, closing and locking of every door, wardrobe and drawer, hinges and handles, and the main entrance door's closing and sealing.
- Visible safety features: Visible condition of smoke detectors and sprinkler heads, glass and balustrade safety, and anything that looks unsafe to use.
What we find in new Dubai apartments
A brand-new apartment can look flawless at first glance. Across more than 10,000 inspections, though, we find defects in almost every new property. The same issues come up again and again in Dubai towers:
- Uneven or hollow-sounding floor tiles, chipped edges and poorly filled grout.
- Gaps in bathroom and kitchen silicone, and showers that drain slowly or hold water.
- Air-conditioning that cools one room well and another poorly, or drips condensate.
- Sockets and switches that are loose, not working or wired incorrectly.
- Doors and wardrobes that rub, will not close or are out of alignment.
- Balcony doors that leak air or water, and balconies that drain towards the door.
- Paint touch-ups, scuffs and patching hiding damage done during the fit-out.
See photographs and explanations of these faults in our guide to common defects in Dubai homes.
From studio to penthouse
A studio or one-bedroom apartment is quicker to inspect than a three-bedroom unit, but it gets the same method: every room, every system, every finish. Larger apartments and duplexes add more bathrooms, more air-conditioning zones and often a maid's room. Penthouses with large private terraces are inspected much like a villa's outdoor areas, with extra attention on waterproofing, drainage and glazing exposed to wind and sun.
Working with your developer's handover process
Access to a new apartment is usually arranged through the developer's handover team or the building management. Where the developer allows it, we inspect during your pre-handover viewing or handover appointment, before you sign. Where it does not, we inspect as soon as you have the keys. If you are overseas, our International Concierge option arranges access for you.
Once you have the report, send the online link to the developer's customer-care team and keep a record of their reference number. If fixes stall, our guide on what to do when a developer won't fix snags sets out the next steps.
Off-plan, ready or resale apartments
Snagging is most often booked for off-plan apartments at handover, but the same inspection protects you when you buy a ready or resale unit. For second-hand apartments we also look for wear, previous water damage, ageing air-conditioning and unauthorised alterations. Read more about home inspections in Dubai, or compare pre-handover and post-handover snagging.
Apartment snagging across Dubai
We inspect apartments in every Dubai community, including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Creek Harbour, Sobha Hartland, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai South. Travel within Dubai is included in every published price; see current fixed prices on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an apartment snagging inspection take?
Most apartment snagging inspections take one to three hours, depending on the size of the unit and its condition. Larger apartments, duplexes and penthouses with big terraces take longer. You receive the completed report the same day.
How much does apartment snagging cost in Dubai?
ProSnagging's apartment snagging prices are fixed by bedroom count, from studios upwards, with no extra charge for the number of defects found. Travel anywhere within Dubai is included. See the pricing page for current rates.
Do brand-new apartments really have defects?
Almost always. New apartments are finished by many different trades under time pressure, and final cleaning and touch-ups can hide poor workmanship. Typical findings include uneven tiling, gaps in silicone, faulty sockets, doors out of alignment and air-conditioning that does not cool evenly.
Can I snag my apartment after I've moved in?
Yes. Defects reported while the developer's rectification obligations remain in force, as set out in your sale and purchase agreement, are normally the developer's to fix. A post-handover inspection gives you the same photographed, room-by-room snag list to submit.
Will the developer accept your report?
The report is designed to be submitted directly to developers. Every defect has a photograph, a location and a severity rating, and you can share the online report link with the developer's customer-care team, which makes snags far harder to dispute than a handwritten list.
Do I need to attend the apartment inspection?
No. You are welcome to attend, but many clients do not. With your permission and the developer's access arrangements, our engineer attends alone and sends the report the same day.