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Do you need to hire a professional to snag an extension?

You do not necessarily need to hire a professional to snag an extension. This often comes down to your relationship with your contractor or subcontractors. If you have maintained a positive relationship throughout the life of the project, then coming to the end and snagging the work shouldn't be contentious, it is to be expected. However, if the relationship has been problematic during the project then your builders might be less willing to come back to site at a later date to carry out snagging. This is why it is key to snag throughout the life of the project so that you check and keep making sure that each of the trades is doing what they need to be doing.

What I say to my clients is if there is a problem that arises that will cause knock-on damage, it is their responsibility to call me as soon as possible so I can get it repaired quickly and effectively. If it is minor cracks in plaster or a small issue with paintwork for example then I ask them to wait six months, then the team and I will come back and rectify any issues in one go, usually taking no more than a day or two. As a main contractor, I allow them to withhold a specified amount of the project cost during this period as a guarantee the snagging will be completed. But I wouldn't expect a subcontractor to agree to such terms — they must be paid in full on completion of the works.
EXPERT CHARLIE AVARA, CONTRACTOR

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