Experts warn buyers to 'flush the toilet' when inspecting newbuild homes after recurring defects

Buyers inspecting newbuild homes should always test toilets by flushing them, a snagging expert said, after inspectors repeatedly found waste pipes not connected to drains and other serious defects that can lead to flooding and structural problems.

Tom Britton, managing director of HomeSnag, told the Daily Mail that routine checks often reveal faults that developers and warranty inspectors have missed, from absent cavity insulation to sewage backflow and widespread mould growth. "A couple weeks after moving in the whole of the house was being flooded with faeces every time they flushed the toilet," he said of one site where waste pipes were not connected to the drains.

Britton said thermal heat-loss surveys carried out in winter frequently show large gaps in cavity-wall insulation or no insulation at all, undermining one of the main selling points of newbuild properties: energy efficiency. He described occasions in which soil vent pipes were not connected to loft vents, allowing foul sewerage smells into bathrooms, and recalled a survey where flushing an upstairs toilet caused water to pour through a ceiling directly above an NHBC inspector as the inspector walked out after signing the property off.

Such defects can result in substantial remedial work. Britton said errors and corner-cutting by some builders have led to entire roofs being replaced, crumbling walls and severe mould infestations that affect occupant health. He also reported loose balcony railings on high‑rise apartments, unlevel staircases that have caused falls, broken plug sockets and improperly fixed cabinet units.

A builder active on new estates in the Midlands reinforced concerns over materials and finishes used in many newbuilds. Dan Hinton, who posts videos on TikTok showing problems he encounters on sites, described gardens he called "absolutely diabolical," poor drainage, and repetitive, cramped layouts that offer little privacy. Hinton criticised the use of medium-density fibreboard for stair treads and thin glued carpet underlays, saying moisture exposure and everyday wear can cause them to swell, delaminate and fail.

Hinton said many of the sites he has worked on use identical fencing, astro turf and minimal landscaping between rows of houses, and that interiors are often finished cheaply. "To think most of the new builds are rented but think of those who actually went out and bought the house at an extortionate price to have it that bad and that cheaply made," he told the Daily Mail.

Inspectors and builders’ warranty bodies such as the National House-Building Council (NHBC) are responsible for certifying new homes and for handling warranty claims, but the anecdotes from Britton and Hinton point to instances where defects were not caught before handover. Britton recommended simple, observable tests — including flushing toilets, checking vents and looking inside cupboards — to identify problems before completing a purchase.

Buyers and conveyancers commonly rely on snagging surveys — post-completion inspections that identify defects for the developer to rectify — and on warranties that cover construction faults for a number of years. Nevertheless, industry observers say early detection can prevent immediate disruption and reduce the scale of later remedial work.

Developers typically market newbuild homes on the basis of modern construction standards and energy performance, but the cases described by snagging companies and tradespeople underscore variability in build quality across sites. The examples of missing insulation, misconnected drains and use of low-grade materials highlight risks that can affect household safety, running costs and resale value.

Prospective buyers are advised to arrange independent snagging inspections and to attend handover checks when possible. Sellers, warranty providers and developers did not respond to requests for comment for this article.