Advice on buying a brand new home > Snagging and defects

Light switches in wardrobe alcoves

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MonikaK:
We will soon be exchanging contracts to buy a 4 bedroom detached new build property.
We have been advised that our snagging inspection can only take place after exchange of contracts and before completion - is that accurate?

The issue we're having with the house is that in all of the bedrooms, the light switches have been placed around the corner from the entrance, inside the alcoves which - we believe - have been designed for built-in wardrobes. Is this compliant with the building regulations, given that whether we have built-in wardrobes made upon request or just put Ikea wardrobes in there - these switched will effectively be obstructed?

Two of the alcoves are of non-standard depth (49 cm and 53 cm). This doesn't leave enough depth for a standard clothes hanger - we are wondering whether we should raise this up with the developer as a snagging issue?

Both of the above points - should they normally be part of what the snagging inspector is going to look at and take into account in his report?

Many thanks for any advice on the above.

New Home Expert:
First of all a final snagging inspection can be done at any time after the home is completed, preferably after the site manager has snagged the house and his list attended to.

It matters little if you have exchanged or not. If you didn't not exchange all you would lose would be the cost of the inspection. My view is the builder requires you to exchange first so you cannot cancel if the home is really bad. Ding Ding - warning bells!

At least you have it in writing I hope that you can snagging inspector before legal completion and should delay legal completion until all the items on the list have been attended to.

Regarding the light switches, unless it specifically states "possible wardrobe area" there is nothing wrong with the light switch positions or the depth of the alcoves.
My view is that this home is unsuitable for your needs and you would do better to buy a different design.

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