Georgina and Charles Barnes discovered 150 defects in their newly purchased home in south Leicestershire shortly after moving in, following an inspection by a Welsh snagging company. The issues included improperly installed fire barriers, signs of a previous leak, and "exceptionally poor" workmanship, according to the inspection report. The couple, who saved for three years to buy the house for £299,995, emphasized the importance of snagging inspections, which they considered "non-negotiable" after encountering a stream of new-build horror stories on social media. The National House Building Council (NHBC) stated that it is the responsibility of developers to ensure new-builds meet regulations. According to the New Homes Ombudsman Service, a survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in March 2025 showed that 93.7% of new-build buyers reported defects or snags to their developer after moving in, with just over a quarter finding more than 15 problems in their new homes. Vistry, responsible for the housing developer Countryside, which built the Barnes' home, supported "appropriately conducted independent inspections" as an additional reassurance about build quality. Each home is checked by its teams, and independent inspections are conducted, with the build team meeting two to three weeks after customers move in to discuss and agree on any snagging work. John Cooper, co-founder of New Home Quality Control, highlighted the prevalence of defects, stating that the most common involve brickwork, carpentry, and roofing. He noted a shortage of skilled bricklayers and the use of "fake" weep vents in some developments. Cooper emphasized that the NHBC inspects properties before they are signed off, but he expressed frustration with the lack of quality control. The HBF stated that new homes are not made in a factory and are bespoke products built by numerous tradespeople, often on sites exposed to all weathers, making some snags inevitable. It claimed that the "vast majority of snagging issues are minor" and there was no evidence that quality standards were not keeping pace with the rate of housebuilding. The HBF warned that snagging inspectors are not regulated and urged customers to ensure inspectors are qualified and accredited by a professional body like RICS. The Welsh government said it was committed to ensuring homebuyers get high-quality homes and are protected if issues arise. The UK government announced an investment of £39 billion in affordable housing and a pledge of £625 million to train up to 60,000 construction workers.