Building Regulations vs
Warranty Standards
Plain English guidance for new build homeowners
Building Regulations and warranty standards are both important, but they are not the same thing. This page explains the difference in simple terms and helps homeowners understand where a snagging inspection fits in.
What is the difference?
Building Regulations and warranty standards are both important, but they do different jobs. Homeowners are often told that something has passed Building Control or is within warranty tolerance, but that does not always explain whether the finish is acceptable or whether visible issues should still be raised.
Building Regulations
Building Regulations set minimum legal requirements for certain parts of the construction process. They are usually checked through Building Control and focus on areas such as safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, ventilation, structure and drainage.
Warranty standards
Warranty standards are used by warranty providers, such as NHBC or other structural warranty bodies, to set technical requirements and expectations for homes covered by their warranty. They can include guidance on workmanship, tolerances, durability and technical construction standards.
They can overlap, but they are not identical. A visible defect may still be worth raising even where a developer says something has passed a particular check.
Why homeowners get confused
Homeowners are often told that an issue is “within tolerance” or that the home has “passed Building Control”. This can be confusing because those phrases do not always mean the home is free from visible defects, unfinished work, poor finishes or damage. A home may pass certain checks and still have issues that are worth recording and raising with the developer. This is why clear evidence matters. Photos, locations, dates and written descriptions can help keep the issue focused and easier to explain.
“Passed” does not mean perfect
Certain checks may have been completed, but visible defects, damage or incomplete work can still exist.
“Tolerances” can be misunderstood
Developers may refer to tolerances, but homeowners still need clear explanations when something looks wrong.
Evidence keeps things clear
A clear record helps show what the issue is, where it is and why it needs attention.
Where snagging fits in
A snagging inspection records visible issues clearly before or after completion. This can include poor finishes, damage, incomplete work, visible workmanship concerns and practical issues that may need raising through the developer’s aftercare process.
A professional report helps homeowners organise the evidence by showing what was found, where it was found and why it may need attention. This can make communication with the developer clearer and help homeowners keep a proper record of the issues raised.
Visible defects
A snagging inspection focuses on visible issues such as damage, poor finishes, incomplete work and obvious workmanship concerns.
Clear reporting
The report records the issue, location and supporting evidence so the homeowner has a structured record.
Better communication
Clear evidence can help homeowners raise concerns with the developer in a more organised way.
What homeowners should remember
When a new build issue is raised, it is important to understand that different standards, checks and processes may apply. The key is to keep the concern clear, record the evidence and use the correct route when asking the developer to respond.
Different standards apply
Building Regulations, warranty standards, developer tolerances and workmanship expectations are not always the same thing.
Evidence matters
Clear photos, locations, dates and descriptions can help when raising issues with a developer.
Passing one check is not everything
A home may have passed certain inspections but still contain visible defects, damage or incomplete work.
Use the right process
Some issues may need to be raised through aftercare, complaints, Building Control, warranty providers or other routes depending on the concern.