A practical, room-by-room checklist for what to inspect before you sign off and release final payment on a Dubai villa or apartment renovation — walk through it on site, or keep it open on your phone during the final walkthrough.
Snagging is the walkthrough you do once a contractor tells you the work is finished, but before you sign off and release the final payment. You go through the property methodically — testing switches, opening every door, checking every tap — and note anything that's incomplete, defective, or doesn't match what was agreed.
It matters because your leverage changes the moment final payment is released. Before that point, getting things fixed and getting paid are still linked; afterwards, you're relying on goodwill and whatever defects liability period was agreed in your contract. This page is built as a practical companion for that walkthrough — a structured checklist to work through room by room, rather than a general explanation of the process. For the fuller narrative on how to conduct the walkthrough itself, see our guide to inspecting your renovation before final payment.
Work through each section below in person during your final walkthrough. Test function, not just appearance — a switch that looks fine but doesn't work is still a snag. Where something doesn't apply to your property, simply skip it.
Finding items on your walkthrough isn't a confrontation — it's a normal, expected part of closing out any renovation properly. Here's how to handle what you find, step by step.
Photograph every issue you find and note its exact location — a dated photo is far harder to dispute later than a memory of what was said on a walkthrough.
Compile every item into a single written snag list shared with your contractor, rather than relying on a verbal conversation. This becomes the reference document both sides work from until it's closed out.
Every renovation contract should specify a defects liability period after handover — the window during which the contractor remains responsible for fixing issues that emerge. Crownstone builds this into every project; confirm the same is written into yours before you sign off.
If your contract structure allows it, don't release the last instalment until the agreed items are fixed, or you have a written, dated commitment covering exactly what will be done and by when.
Have a question about your own handover that isn't answered here? Get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Many homeowners complete this checklist themselves — most items are simple visual and functional checks that don't require special equipment or training. For larger properties, or where you'd value an independent second opinion, a professional snagging inspector is worth considering. Either way, the goal is the same: a written, room-by-room list that you and your contractor both agree on before final payment.
Start by comparing the item against your written scope of works, drawings, and material specification — that document should settle most disagreements, not opinion on either side. Where it's genuinely a judgment call, note it in writing and agree a fair resolution before final payment is released, rather than leaving it unresolved on the promise of a later fix.
It depends entirely on the size and complexity of the project, so there's no fixed number to expect or aim for. What matters more than the count is that every item is documented, agreed in writing, and tracked through to resolution — a short list of items that never gets fixed is a bigger problem than a longer list that's being actively closed out.
The same walkthrough discipline applies, though what you're checking against differs slightly — a developer handover is checked against the original sales specification, while a renovation snag list is checked against your agreed scope of works. Many of the room-by-room checks on this page, such as tile lippage, door alignment, socket testing, and water pressure, are relevant to either situation.
If you're earlier in the process and haven't started yet, tell us about your property and scope, or browse our renovation services to see how each stage — including handover — is managed.
