Professional Snagging Inspection in Dubai
Snagging in Dubai is the inspection of a newly completed apartment, villa or building before the owner accepts handover. Every defect, unfinished item and faulty installation is recorded while the developer or contractor is still responsible for putting it right, and that record becomes the snag list they repair against.
Malco Technical Services inspects finishes, joinery, plumbing, electrical systems and air conditioning, and documents each snag with its location, a description and photographs. Because our core business is third-party MEP testing and commissioning, the systems that are hardest to judge on a simple walkthrough get the closest attention.
Why Snagging Matters Before Property Handover
Signing the handover form is the moment a unit stops being the developer’s work in progress and becomes your property. Anything recorded before that point is clearly the developer’s to fix. Anything found later can turn into a debate about when it appeared and who caused it.
Many Dubai projects hand over a large number of units in a short window, so finishing and installation defects are common even in well-built towers and villa communities. A documented snagging inspection gives you a clear record at the strongest point in the process, and supports any defects you report later during the defects liability period.
What Our Snagging Inspection Covers
The inspection works through the property room by room and system by system. These are the areas checked on every snagging visit.
Where a finding needs deeper investigation, Malcots can follow up with infrared thermography, electrical live and cold testing or HVAC testing and commissioning, so you are not left looking for a second contractor.
When Should You Book a Snagging Inspection?
Book as soon as the developer confirms the unit is ready for inspection, and before you sign the handover or acceptance form. That gives the developer time to work through the snag list and leaves room for a final check before you take the keys.
Power, water and cooling should be connected on the day, because plumbing, electrical and air conditioning checks only mean something on live systems. If you have already collected the keys, an inspection is still worthwhile while the developer’s liability for defects is running. Our guide to snagging and the defects liability period in Dubai explains how that window works.
Properties We Inspect
Malcots snags apartments and villas handed over by developers, and completed buildings handed over by a contractor to the owner. For larger or multi-unit handovers, share the scope when you enquire so the inspection can be planned around it.
Planning to walk the unit yourself first? Our room-by-room snagging checklist for Dubai handovers shows what to look at and where a visual check runs out.
How Our Snagging Inspection Process Works
What Your Snagging Report Includes
The report is a snag list organised by room and area. Every item carries its location, a clear description of the defect and photographs, so the developer’s site team can find it and fix it.
It also becomes your record of the property’s condition at handover. If a defect reappears, or a repair is disputed later, the report shows what was found and when.
Common Defects Found During Snagging
Most snags in new Dubai properties are finishing and installation faults rather than structural problems. Walls and floors tend to show hairline cracks, patchy paint, hollow or chipped tiles and untidy grout and silicone.
Wet areas commonly have slow drains, weak water pressure, leaking traps and missing seals around showers and basins, while doors that drag, misaligned wardrobe fronts and windows that do not close tightly are typical joinery snags.
On the systems side, expect sockets or light points that do not work, unlabelled distribution boards, AC zones that struggle to cool and condensate leaks from fan coil units. These are the items that become expensive to chase once the defects liability period ends.
Our guide to common snagging issues in Dubai explains what causes each of these defects and which ones get worse if they are left.
Why Choose Malcots for Snagging in Dubai?
Malco Technical Services has worked in Dubai since 2015 as a third-party testing and commissioning company, with more than 8,000 completed projects for over 1,500 clients. That background shapes how we snag: electrical, plumbing and HVAC items are checked by a team that tests and commissions those systems every day, not only judged by eye.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snagging
How much does a snagging inspection cost in Dubai?
The cost depends on the property type, its built-up area and whether you need additional technical testing alongside the snagging inspection. Share the unit type, size and handover date with our team and we will quote for that property.
How long does a snagging inspection take?
Time on site depends on the size of the property and the number of systems to check. An apartment usually takes a few hours and a large villa takes longer. Ask our team for an estimate when you book.
Is snagging mandatory in Dubai?
No. Snagging is not a legal requirement for handover in Dubai, so the decision sits with the buyer. It is still the most practical way to make sure defects are recorded while the developer is clearly responsible for them.
Can I book snagging after I have received the keys?
Yes. Under Article 40 of Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019, developers of jointly owned properties must repair defective installations for one year from handover of the unit and structural defects for ten years from the completion certificate. An inspection soon after handover helps you report defects inside those windows, although your position is strongest before you sign acceptance.
Do power, water and AC need to be connected?
Yes. Electrical, plumbing and air conditioning checks need live systems, so DEWA power and water and the building’s cooling supply should be active on the inspection day. If they are not connected yet, let us know and the visit can be planned around it.
What happens after the snagging report is issued?
You submit the snag list to the developer or contractor through the channel set out in your sale agreement and ask for written acknowledgement. Once they report the repairs as complete, a final inspection confirms each item has been resolved before you accept handover.
Book a Snagging Inspection in Dubai
Tell us the property type, location and expected handover date, and our team will get back to you to arrange the inspection. You can also call or WhatsApp us on +971 54 995 5152.