The columns every snag list needs
A snag list is only useful if the person fixing the item can find it, understand it and know it's theirs without ringing you. That comes down to a handful of columns. Leave any of them out and you'll get calls.
| Column | What goes in it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ref | A running number: 1, 2, 3… | So everyone can talk about "snag 14" instead of "the door thing upstairs". |
| Location | Plot / flat, room, and where in the room | "Flat 2, bedroom 1, left of window" gets found; "bedroom" doesn't. |
| Description | What's wrong and what "fixed" looks like | The trade should be able to fix it from the words alone. |
| Trade | Who fixes it: joiner, decorator, plumber, M&E… | Lets you split the list and send each trade only their items. |
| Priority | High / medium / low | High = stops handover, safety or water. Low = cosmetic. |
| Photo ref | Photo number or file name | The photo settles arguments about what was meant. |
| Raised | Date spotted | Shows how long it's been open. |
| Closed | Date fixed and who checked it | A snag isn't done until someone has looked at the fix. |
At the top of the sheet, record the project name, address, client, inspection date and who inspected. When the list is forwarded three times, that header is the only context that survives.
A filled-in example
Here's what good entries look like. Notice every description says what's wrong and what finished looks like.
| Ref | Location | Description | Trade | Priority | Photo | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat 2, bathroom, bath | Silicone missing along back edge of bath (approx. 600 mm). Seal full length, white. | Plumber | High | IMG_0412 | |
| 2 | Flat 2, bedroom 1, wardrobe | Wardrobe doors misaligned, 6 mm gap at top of right door. Adjust hinges so doors meet evenly. | Joiner | Medium | IMG_0415 | |
| 3 | Flat 2, living room, wall opposite window | Roller marks and patchy finish, approx. 1 m². Make good and repaint full wall. | Decorator | Low | IMG_0418 | |
| 4 | Flat 2, kitchen, above worktop | Double socket plate scratched. Replace plate to match. | Electrician | Low | IMG_0420 | 02/10 – AS |
| 5 | Communal stair, 1st floor landing | Handrail bracket loose, rail moves when leaned on. Re-fix securely. | Joiner | High | IMG_0423 |
Tips for using the template
- Walk in the same order every time — front door, clockwise, top to bottom (ceiling, walls, floor). You'll miss far less.
- One defect per line. "Door sticks and handle loose and paint chipped" is three snags for up to three trades.
- Measure where it matters. "6 mm gap" can be checked; "big gap" can't.
- Photograph with context. One close-up of the defect, and ideally one wider shot so the trade can find it.
- Split by trade before sending. A joiner won't read past the first page of someone else's items.
- Re-inspect and fill in "Closed". Keep the sheet until every line has a date and initials.
For a room-by-room list of what to actually look at, use the new-build snagging checklist. For writing the finished document, see how to write a snagging report.
Blank snag sheet
| Project: | Date: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | Inspected by: | |||||
| Ref | Location | Description | Trade | Priority | Photo | Closed |
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
| 7 | ||||||
| 8 | ||||||
| 9 | ||||||
| 10 | ||||||
| 11 | ||||||
| 12 | ||||||
| 13 | ||||||
| 14 | ||||||
| 15 | ||||||
Priority: H = stops handover / safety / water · M = functional · L = cosmetic. Free template from sitesnagpro.app
Questions
Is this snag list template free to use?
Yes. Print it, save it as a PDF, copy the columns into your own spreadsheet, use it on as many jobs as you like. No sign-up.
What's the difference between a snag list and a punch list?
They're the same thing. "Snag list" is the usual UK term; "punch list" is more common in the US. Both are a list of defects and unfinished items to be fixed before handover.
Can I get it as a spreadsheet?
The easiest way is to copy the column headings above into Excel or Google Sheets. If you'd rather not retype photos into a spreadsheet at all, Site Snag Pro keeps the same columns with the photo attached to each snag and makes the PDF for you.
How many snags is normal on a new house?
It varies a lot, but dozens is common. A Home Builders Federation survey published in March 2025 found that over a quarter of new-build buyers reported more than 15 snags to their builder.