Defect snagging plays an essential role in the management of construction projects, in particular to guarantee quality, safety and compliance. Defect snagging is used to block part of the payment until certain conditions, specifications or standards have been met. Their purpose is to protect the parties involved, by ensuring that the work is carried out in accordance with contractual agreements and industry standards. Once the criteria have been met, the defect snagging is lifted, allowing final payment to be made.
Defect snagging is a process to identify, assess and resolve any deviations, non-conformances or issues that have been identified against pre-defined criteria. So, when we talk about a “reserve” in a project, we are talking about an anomaly or a potential defect that requires immediate attention. This could be a faulty component, an unfinished task, a poorly drafted document or any other element that does not meet the established criteria. Defect snagging” involves the precise identification of these problems, their evaluation in terms of seriousness and priority, and finally their effective resolution.
Reservations during the worksite acceptance phase are a crucial aspect of the construction process, aimed at guaranteeing the quality and conformity of the work. When the client inspects the finished work, he may find imperfections, non-conformities or doubts about certain aspects of the construction. To record these problems, he issues reservations, which are important comments to be taken into account when accepting the work.
There are three main types of reservations:
These reservations are issued when there are defects, imperfections or problems with the work. These are defects that can be repaired, in which case the client requests that the defects be corrected within a specified period.
In this second type of reservation, the project owner notes that certain parts of the work do not comply with the conditions of the initial contract. The services provided have not been carried out in accordance with the agreed specifications. The project owner therefore issues reservations to ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with the contract.
Finally, the project owner may not be able to fully assess certain parts of the work at the time of acceptance, because he feels it is necessary to test or try them out. He therefore asks for additional time to pass judgement on these specific aspects of the work. This ensures that the work as a whole is satisfactory.
So how does defect snagging work? In reality, there are several stages, and the lifting of reservations is often divided into 5, 6 or even 7 stages.
Here are the 5 stages, from identification to contract signature.
As you will have realised, it is important to be meticulous when it comes to lifting reservations. There are several stages involved, and it would be a mistake to botch them, as there are many risks involved.
To sum up, defect snagging is essential to guarantee the quality, safety and compliance of construction projects. This process involves several stages, from the identification of problems to their resolution and the final signing of the contract. Neglecting these stages can lead to risks such as safety problems, defects, additional costs, delays and disputes. It is crucial to follow them diligently to ensure the success of the project and avoid long-term complications.
