What is a snagging record or punch list?
It records issues and unfinished items, often before handover. The point is not to collect marks on photos but to make every item locatable, assignable and verifiable through to closure. In Spain, it is commonly called a lista or acta de repasos.
What to include in a snagging checklist
- Project, unit or zone, review date and participants.
- A unique identifier retained across visits.
- Room and precise location of the affected element.
- Observable issue description and reference photograph.
- Agreed owner and deadline, with unconfirmed details made explicit.
- Status, verification date and closure evidence where checked.
How to organise snags before handover
- 1
Follow a consistent route
Group by unit, floor or room. Repeat the same route during the verification visit.
- 2
Use one entry per issue
Do not combine a rubbing window and a paint defect in one task. Each needs an actionable description.
- 3
Agree an owner and deadline
Record what the team agreed. A default name does not establish that someone accepted the task.
- 4
Separate reported fixes from verified fixes
Record the completion notice, but close the item after the appropriate check. Link new evidence to the original issue.
Common mistakes
- Maintaining several unconnected lists and losing the current version.
- Closing an item solely because someone reported it finished.
- Treating a snag list as an automatic replacement for formal handover.
Content example
S-012 · Bedroom 2
Check the window leaf closure. Rubbing is observed when operating the handle.
Agreed owner
Joinery team. Deadline to be confirmed.
Status
Awaiting work and subsequent verification on site.
Fictional example. Always check the facts and the requirements applying to your project.
What to check in Spain
For building works covered by Spain's LOE, article 6 regulates reception and reservations. A snag list can describe defects but does not automatically replace the reception record or the record confirming reservations have been remedied. Verify the documents and signatures needed for your handover.