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How to Choose a Snagging Company in Dubai
Five things that separate a thorough inspector from a quick walk-through, seven questions to ask, and a table to compare quotes like for like.
On this page
- Five things that matter
- Seven questions to ask
- Compare quotes side by side
- Red flags
- What no company can promise
- Choosing a snagging company: FAQs
Quoted after a short scope call, all costs listed upfront.
Get a quoteTo choose a snagging company in Dubai, check five things: it works only for you, it tests with instruments, its report is numbered with photos and locations, it re-checks the repairs, and it puts scope and price in writing before you book. Ask every company the same questions and compare the answers side by side.
This guide on how to choose a snagging company in Dubai gives you those questions, the answers to look for and a table for comparing quotes. It's written by an inspection engineer at Property Snagging DXB, Dubai. We're a snagging company ourselves, so use these questions on us too.
What separates a thorough inspector from a quick walk-through?
Most companies describe themselves the same way. These five points are where they actually differ.
- 01
They work only for you
An inspector connected to the developer or the agent who sold you the unit isn't independent of the sale. Ask who else is paying them. For disputes or a second opinion, independent third-party inspections are the clearest option.
- 02
They test with instruments
A thermal camera, a moisture meter and a socket tester find leaks, damp and wiring faults that a visual check misses. Ask whether these are used on every job or charged as extras.
- 03
Their report is numbered, with photos and locations
Each defect should have a number, a photo, the room and exact spot, a severity and a recommended fix. Ask for a sample before you book.
- 04
They re-check the repairs
A report only helps if someone checks the fixes against the same item numbers before you sign. Ask whether a re-inspection is included or charged separately.
- 05
Scope and price are in writing
You should know what's covered, what isn't and what you'll pay before the inspection day, with no surprise extras afterwards.
Which questions should you ask before you book?
Ask each company the same seven questions, ideally in writing, so you can compare the replies.
| Question | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who do you work for on this job? | Only you, with no link to the developer or agent | Vague, or a referral arrangement with the seller |
| 2. Which instruments do you use, and are they included? | Named tools, used on every job, included in the quote | "Available on request" with an unclear extra charge |
| 3. Can I see a sample report? | Yes, with numbered items, photos and locations | No sample, or a short list with no photos |
| 4. When will I receive the report? | A clear time, agreed in writing, that fits your handover window | "As soon as possible" |
| 5. Is a re-inspection included? | A clear yes or no, with the cost if not | Not mentioned until after the first visit |
| 6. Who will inspect, and what are their qualifications? | A named person, with certificates you can check | "Certified" with no named issuing body |
| 7. Can I have the scope and price in writing? | A written, dated quote listing what's covered | A verbal price only |
For question 3, you'll know what to look for if you've read the defects a good inspector tests for. A strong report covers all of them, item by item.
How do you compare snagging quotes side by side?
Totals are hard to compare when each company includes different things. Copy this table, fill in one column per company, and compare what you get rather than the number at the bottom.
| What to check | Company A | Company B | Company C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent of the developer and agent | |||
| Thermal camera and moisture meter included | |||
| Sample report seen (numbered, photos, locations) | |||
| Report delivery time, in writing | |||
| Re-inspection included | |||
| Named inspector and checkable qualifications | |||
| Written, dated quote with full scope |
Rule of thumb: a lower total that leaves out instruments or the re-inspection often isn't cheaper once you add them back.
When the replies come back, look at how they were written as well as what they say. A company that answers each question clearly and in writing before you pay is likely to write a clear report after the inspection too. Vague replies now usually mean vague entries later.
Which red flags should make you walk away?
One red flag on its own may have an innocent explanation, so ask about it. Two or three together usually mean the inspection will be quicker, and the report thinner, than you need.
- No sample report. If they won't show you what you'll receive, you can't judge it.
- "Certified" with no named body. Any certificate should name who issued it, so you can check it.
- Instruments as a surprise extra. Tools mentioned only after you've booked, at an added cost.
- A link to the seller. An inspector recommended and paid through the agent or developer who sold you the unit.
- A verbal price only. No written quote, no written scope.
- A rushed visit. A thorough inspection takes time; a very short visit for a full unit is a warning sign.
What can no snagging company promise?
That report matters long after handover. Under Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019, the developer must fix defective electrical, mechanical and plumbing installations for one year from handover, and structural defects for ten years, so a dated, numbered record is worth keeping.
How to choose a snagging company in Dubai: FAQs
When should I book a snagging company?
As soon as the developer's handover notice arrives. The inspection, the developer's repairs and a re-check all need to fit inside your handover window, and all of it should happen before you sign the handover documents. Booking early also gives you time to compare two or three companies properly.
Can the developer's or agent's inspector do the snagging?
They can, but they aren't independent of the sale. An inspector connected to the developer or the agent who sold you the unit may be less likely to record everything in your favour. If you use one, treat their report as a starting point and consider an independent check.
Is thermal imaging worth paying for?
For most new units, yes. A thermal camera can show moisture behind walls and heat spots in electrical fittings that a visual check misses. Ask each company whether thermal imaging is included in the quote or charged as an extra, and compare on that basis.
Should I just pick the cheapest quote?
Compare what's included, not just the total. A quote that leaves out instruments, a sample-quality report or the re-inspection can cost more once you add them back. A rushed, low-cost visit is also more likely to miss defects you'd want the developer to fix for free.
Comparing snagging companies?
Ask us the same seven questions and compare our answers with the others. To start, get in touch. Your inspection is quoted after a short scope call, with all costs listed upfront.
+971 55 375 9257