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What's a snag list in project management?

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Question added by Alex Al Yazouri , General Manager , Al Mushref Cooperative Society
Date Posted: 2015/06/08
Vinod Jetley
by Vinod Jetley , Assistant General Manager , State Bank of India

Snag list occurs in phases at the end of a building project and is essentially a ‘defects liability period’, where faults can be noted and subsequently put right or fixed by the builder. It is a necessary evil turned-to-good for the homeowner and a final closure for the builder that the job is finalised and accomplished. Although the longer the snagging list, the more irked the builder will be, as each item takes from the final profit.

Phases Snag lists are often done in phases: when the job is just complete, and also, six months down the road or even year, basically because ‘cracks’ and other faults can often occur after the drying out period. It is preferable to engage an architect to check for snags. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has a complete nationwide database of fully qualified registered architects. Engineers and chartered surveyors can also undertake ‘snagging’, and increasingly, solicitors are often involved in the process. A professional snag list can cost anything from €300to €650.

Arrangements It is vital to discuss the arrangements for a snag list early on with the contractor and/or builder. The increase in building demand of recent years has witnessed some developers adding ‘walk away” clauses to house purchase contracts to avoid completing the traditional buyer’s snag list before the sale is closed. This is a potentially unfair practice and could effectively allow a builder to ignore your snag list, so be aware from the beginning.

Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi
by Ahmed Mohamed Ayesh Sarkhi , Shared Services Supervisor , Saudi Musheera Co. Ltd.

Sorry I'm Not Expert In This Field But I Got New Information & Knowledge 

Thanxs

 

Sunil Bhadran
by Sunil Bhadran , Assistant Manager , GENPACT

The snag list is the list which has to be issued by the consultant/the client before the taking over inspection and in which it should include works done but failed to comply with the contract specification and need rectification accordingly.

In other words A snag list is an inventory of the things you are not happy with when a building project is finished, but in reality it’s anything but simple. Snag list occurs in phases at the end of a building project and is essentially a ‘defects liability period’, where faults can be noted and subsequently put right or fixed by the builder. It is a necessary evil turned-to-good for the homeowner and a final closure for the builder that the job is finalised and accomplished. Although the longer the snagging list, the more irked the builder will be, as each item takes from the final profit.

Phases

Snag lists are often done in phases: when the job is just complete, and also, six months down the road or even year, basically because ‘cracks’ and other faults can often occur after the drying out period. It is preferable to engage an architect to check for snags. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has a complete nationwide database of fully qualified registered architects. Engineers and chartered surveyors can also undertake ‘snagging’, and increasingly, solicitors are often involved in the process. A professional snag list can cost anything from €300 to €650.

 

Arrangements

It is vital to discuss the arrangements for a snag list early on with the contractor and/or builder. The increase in building demand of recent years has witnessed some developers adding ‘walk away” clauses to house purchase contracts to avoid completing the traditional buyer’s snag list before the sale is closed. This is a potentially unfair practice and could effectively allow a builder to ignore your snag list, so be aware from the beginning.

The snag list should cover:

  1. External walls
  2. Paths, driveways, garages
  3. Gardens and boundaries
  4. Roof and guttering
  5. Central heating
  6. Electrics
  7. Doors
  8. Walls and ceilings
  9. Windows
  10. Attic space
  11. Stairs and cloakrooms
  12. Bathrooms, en-suites
  13. Kitchen and utilities
  14. Flooring
  15. Decorating/painting

The type of items covered would be cracks in ceilings and walls, skirting boards not properly affixed, internal doors that don’t open or close properly, uneven or unfinished plaster-work, crooked light switches, loose wiring, poor insulation, leaking pipes, faulty joints, missing parts (of utilities) and surrounding gardens, particularly if landscaping and paving was agreed.

DIY snagging

If you are undertaking the process yourself make sure to include services and fixtures as well as the building internally and externally. Check electricity, gas and water, turn on the taps, flush toilets, and turn on all appliances and the central heating. Make sure sockets and switches are straight and pay close attention to paint work. Check for level floors, leaks and soundproofing. A simple tip is to make sure to carry out the snagging in daylight hours and avoid beginning the task late on a winter’s afternoon!

After a full room-by-room inspection has taken place, a list is drawn up of incomplete jobs or outcomes that you are not happy with. This list should then be handed to the building contractor or project manager for rectification. There should be a final re-inspection before the process is signed off and also take into account that the full contract should span at least a year, to cover work that is susceptible to change, such as plastering, etc. Do not make the final payment until all jobs have been finished to your satisfaction.

 

Amit Hela
by Amit Hela , Assistant General Manager Project Planning & Scheduling , Primetals Technologies India Private Limited joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partne

Snag list means balance & missing supplies.

Alex Al Yazouri
by Alex Al Yazouri , General Manager , Al Mushref Cooperative Society

A snag list is an inventory of the things you are not happy with when a building project is finished, but in reality it’s anything but simple.

Snag list occurs in phases at the end of a building project and is essentially a ‘defects liability period’, where faults can be noted and subsequently put right or fixed by the builder. It is a necessary evil turned-to-good for the homeowner and a final closure for the builder that the job is finalised and accomplished. Although the longer the snagging list, the more irked the builder will be, as each item takes from the final profit.

Phases Snag lists are often done in phases: when the job is just complete, and also, six months down the road or even year, basically because ‘cracks’ and other faults can often occur after the drying out period. It is preferable to engage an architect to check for snags. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has a complete nationwide database of fully qualified registered architects. Engineers and chartered surveyors can also undertake ‘snagging’, and increasingly, solicitors are often involved in the process. A professional snag list can cost anything from €300to €650.

Arrangements It is vital to discuss the arrangements for a snag list early on with the contractor and/or builder. The increase in building demand of recent years has witnessed some developers adding ‘walk away” clauses to house purchase contracts to avoid completing the traditional buyer’s snag list before the sale is closed. This is a potentially unfair practice and could effectively allow a builder to ignore your snag list, so be aware from the beginning.

The snag list should cover:

  1. External walls
  2. Paths, driveways, garages
  3. Gardens and boundaries
  4. Roof and guttering
  5. Central heating
  6. Electrics
  7. Doors
  8. Walls and ceilings
  9. Windows
  10. Attic space
  11. Stairs and cloakrooms
  12. Bathrooms, en-suites
  13. Kitchen and utilities
  14. Flooring
  15. Decorating/painting

The type of items covered would be cracks in ceilings and walls, skirting boards not properly affixed, internal doors that don’t open or close properly, uneven or unfinished plasterwork, crooked light switches, loose wiring, poor insulation, leaking pipes, faulty joints, missing parts (of utilities) and surrounding gardens, particularly if landscaping and paving was agreed.

Erika Southey
by Erika Southey , IT Project Manager , UCS TS

A snag list comprises items that were not finished to spec, that the client, yourself or inspectors are unappy with.

Best to manage this is to put them on a Issue Management Log to track these items to resolution.

khaled elkholy
by khaled elkholy , HR MANAGER , misk for import & export

Agree with Mr sunil .............................

Rajarajan Naidu
by Rajarajan Naidu , Soft Services Manager , Al Mulla Group

Snag list is to make note of the points to be corrected or rectified (Eye for detail) and once the task is done we should make a remark

Agree with the given answers 

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Thanks

Here you can read what punch list (or snag list) actually is: https://blog.archisnapper.com/what-is-a-punch-list-explained-in-simple-words/

 

A construction punch list (or snag list) is a list of items that need to be completed to comply with the terms of the contract and is prepared when the construction project reaches the final stage. Contractor and customer (or customer’s representative like architect or inspection professional) do a walk-through on the job site, thinking about the terms of the contract, and note down all deficiencies that need to be solved.

Typically the final payment by the customer towards the contractor is tied to completing the items on the list. The money owed to the contractor that is paid out upon completion of the list is often referred to as the ‘retainage’ and varies between 2% and 10% of the total contract value. This ensures the contractors don’t turn in the keys before the project is finished (finished meaning “compliant with the contract”). Most contracts also include timing specifications ensuring that the work will be done in timely matter. As the contract is always the reference, it helps to clearly spell out expectations in the contract before the work begins.

Summary: The punch list is the instrument that is used to make sure the job gets finished successfully (compliant with the contract terms), and in a timely matter. It does so by clearly stating WHO needs to do WHAT (task + location) by WHEN.

Punch List Tips for the different parties involved. How to get more out of the (punch list) process.

The customer (or anyone that represents the customer): visit the site before the meeting with the contractor. Take your time to inspect the building and detect items that are not complete. Don’t use the actual meeting with the contractor as your discovery walk-through. Be prepared. It goes without saying you might want to take the contract with you or at least read it once more so you know what has been agreed on contractually.

The (sub)contractors that will be doing the actual completion of the work: make sure you know the scope of the work (as specified in the contract). Items that are in scope should be executed in timely manner. For items that are not in scope you communicate the extra costs. Don’t be afraid to mention things that are out of scope. Good communication is crucial for project success and a happy customer. Also for the contractors it makes sense to do a separate walk-through before the final walk-through with the customer.

The general contractor: if you are a general contractor and bound to retainage by your customer, it makes sense to also hold a certain amount of retainage on your subcontractors and propose a punch list with your subcontractors so they know they’ll have to finish their work in a timely manner and there is clear communication on what tasks to be done by when. This avoids that your subcontractors are gone while you still have contractual obligations towards your customer.

The architect: architects or designers often participate to the punch list walk to make sure that what was built is in line with the drawings. They are responsible to point out if anything is not built as designed and specified in the drawings. We advise to inspect the site very regular during the construction phase, and follow up with regular field reports which you communicate to all stakeholders. This makes the actual punch list less painful and will avoid bad surprises and discoveries at the very end of the project. 

Where does the name “Punch list” come from

The term punch list refers to the fact that in the old days people used to punch holes next to an item when this item had been fixed.

punch-list-architects

In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand the term ‘snag list’ is used rather than punch list.

AIA: “substantial completion”

In the AIA general conditions, the term “substantial completion” is defined as follows:

“ § A.9.8.1 Substantial Completion is the stage in the progress of the Work when the Work or designated portion thereof is sufficiently complete in accordance with the Contract Documents so that the Owner can occupy or use the Work or a portion thereof for its intended use.”

The next article then articulates this:

“§ 9.8.2 When the Contractor considers that the Work, or a portion thereof which the Owner agrees to accept separately, is substantially complete, the Contractor shall prepare and submit to the Architect a comprehensive list of items to be completed or corrected prior to final payment.” => This list is the so-called punch list or snag list.

Translated into human language: Substantial completion means that the project is complete and usable, except for a few minor deficiencies. When the job has reached the point of substantial completion the customer and contractor do a “walk-through” of the project. Together, they compile a punch list, noting any deficiencies that need to be resolved before the customer accepts the work as complete and releases final payment.

Digital tools

Digital tools make it possible to type down the task and immediately take a picture and locate on a floor plan the exact location of the item. An important advantage of digital punch lists is that you eliminate a lot of re-working related to typing out all the notes, inserting all the photos, pointing out locations on drawings, etc. since you’re using your mobile and a punch list software to do this on site. Note, I don’t recommend writing out all the notes and texts on your phone or tablet, since most often you don’t have the time for this when doing a walk-through with other people, and also, mobile devices are not made to write out entire texts. Try to do the following from the App on site: describe the issue in a couple of key words, take a photo and indicate the location on a floor plan, and maybe (if time) complete it with further specifications like room number, due date and assignee. If you work like this 90% of the punch list will be ready when you’re back at the office and you can finish it off from your desktop.

Another advantage of working with professional punch list software is that the punch list items can be shared very easily with all parties involved and it’s easy to track the status of the list in real time.

Interested in giving our Punch list and Field report App a try? Click here to start a free trial on ArchiSnapper.

Examples of punch list items and punch list checklists

Punch lists are typically organised in one of these 2 ways:

  • By room number: items are grouped by room number.
  • By trade: items are grouped by trade (e.g. electricity, HVAC, painting, …).

By the way, here you can see how our punch list tool ArchiSnapper allows you to organise your punch lists in any of these 2 ways.

Examples of punch list items include :

  • repair broken window
  • replace stained wallboard
  • repair cracked paving
  • replace missing roof shingles
  • missing switch plate cover in the laundry room
  • rear deck railings need post caps installed
  • baseboard heater registers missing end caps

There are many punch list checklists and templates available online. We’ve done some research for you and selected 3 punch list checklists that we found valuable. Note that these are just some examples to give you a first idea of possible checklist items and to start working towards your own checklists. Every project (and every contract!) is different and will require specific checklist adaptions.

From ‘Succeed with Contractors’, find here a punch list checklist example (scroll down a bit first).

From ‘BuildingAdvisor.com’, find in this article another example.

From ‘Total Home Inspection’, you can find out an example here.

And finally from ‘LienDefense’, find here a last example.

Good luck with your punch lists and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences on this topic with us!

PS: if you’re interested in tips and best practices for a successful punch list experience I highly recommend this article.

Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani
by Omar Saad Ibrahem Alhamadani , Snr. HR & Finance Officer , Sarri Zawetta Company

Thanks

Great answer which given by Mr. Alex and I support it .

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