A few months after handover, something goes slightly wrong — a door that's started sticking, a hairline crack near a light switch, a tap that's a little looser than it should be. The first question most homeowners ask themselves is simple: is this my contractor's problem, or mine? Getting that answer right matters, because it determines who you call, how quickly it should be fixed, and whether it costs you anything at all.
This guide gives you a practical framework for telling genuine snagging — defects from the original work — apart from new issues that fall outside that scope.
What counts as snagging
Snagging refers to minor defects or unfinished details in the original renovation work that surface once you're living in the space day to day. These are things that should have been right at handover but weren't quite — not new problems caused by time or use. Common examples: a door or drawer that doesn't sit flush, a small area of paint that was missed or applied unevenly, a light switch that doesn't sit level, a grout line that was never properly finished, or a fitting that wasn't fully tightened during installation.
What counts as a new issue
A new issue is something that develops after handover, independent of how the original work was carried out — normal wear and tear, damage from an event unrelated to the renovation, or a maintenance need that would apply regardless of who did the work. Examples: a stone floor that's lost its seal after a year of foot traffic, an AC filter that's dirty from regular use, a scratch from moving furniture, or general fading from sun exposure over time.
Snagging vs new issues at a glance
| Factor | Snagging | New Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Typical timing | Surfaces within the first weeks to 90 days of use | Develops gradually, often months or years later |
| Root cause | Installation, finishing, or workmanship quality | Normal wear, lack of maintenance, or unrelated damage |
| Typical examples | Misaligned door, unfinished grout, loose fitting, paint touch-up missed | Faded paint from UV, worn seal on stone, dirty AC filter, accidental damage |
| Who to call | Your original renovation contractor | A maintenance provider, or handle it yourself if minor |
| Typical cost to you | Usually covered under workmanship warranty | Usually a normal maintenance cost |
💡 When genuinely unsure, ask first
If an issue doesn't clearly fit either category, contact your contractor and describe it before assuming either way. A reputable contractor will tell you honestly if something falls outside workmanship cover, and can often still point you to the right person to fix it even if it's not their responsibility.
Why the distinction actually matters
Beyond simply knowing who to call, the snagging-vs-new-issue distinction affects cost, urgency, and how the problem should be documented. Genuine snagging reported promptly and clearly is typically resolved under your workmanship warranty at no cost — see Warranty Periods Explained for what that coverage generally includes. A new issue, by contrast, is a normal cost of ownership, the same as it would be in any home regardless of who renovated it.
How to document either kind properly
Whichever category an issue falls into, the same simple habit helps: take a photo the moment you notice it, and note the date. This does two things — it gives your contractor exactly what they need to assess a snagging claim quickly, and it protects you if there's ever a dispute about when something first appeared. Our post-renovation maintenance checklist recommends keeping a simple running log for exactly this reason.
⚠ Don't attempt a DIY fix before reporting a snagging item
If something looks like genuine snagging, report it before trying to fix it yourself, especially for MEP, structural, or waterproofing-related issues. A DIY attempt first can complicate a legitimate warranty claim and, in some cases, void it entirely.
How Crownstone handles this in practice
Every villa renovation and apartment renovation we deliver includes scheduled 30-day and 90-day check-ins after handover, specifically because this is the window where genuine snagging is most likely to surface and is easiest to resolve. We ran this same process on both the Meadows villa renovation and the Palmera 4 renovation in Arabian Ranches — catching a handful of minor items early on each project rather than leaving homeowners to notice and report them alone months later.
Not Sure If Something's Snagging?
Send us a photo and a quick description — we'll tell you honestly whether it's a workmanship item or a maintenance one, and point you in the right direction either way.
Contact Our TeamIf you're weighing up whether ongoing paid maintenance coverage makes sense once your workmanship warranty period ends, see Annual Maintenance Contracts: Are They Worth It in Dubai?
Frequently asked questions
What is snagging in a renovation context?
Snagging refers to minor defects or unfinished details from the original renovation work that surface after handover — things like a door that doesn't close flush, a paint touch-up that was missed, or a fitting that wasn't fully secured. These are the contractor's responsibility to resolve.
How long after handover can I still report snagging?
This depends on your contract's warranty terms, but most snagging genuinely surfaces within the first 90 days of normal use, since that's when settling and day-to-day use reveal any installation issues. Reporting early, with photos and dates, gives you the strongest position regardless of the exact timeframe agreed.
What should I do if I'm not sure whether something is snagging or a new issue?
Document it with a photo and the date you noticed it, then contact your contractor with the details rather than guessing. A contractor who stands behind their work will assess it honestly rather than automatically deflecting — and if it turns out to be routine maintenance, they can usually still point you toward the right fix.
