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For Site Managers, Supervisors, Clerks of Works, Inspectors, QA Managers, Fire Safety Inspectors, Contractors & Client Teams

This intensive one-day course provides the practical knowledge and inspection skills needed to identify, record, and rectify defects across construction projects. Delegates learn how to recognise poor workmanship, spot common installation failures, understand compliance requirements, and produce clear snagging reports that drive quality on site.

The course combines real-life examples, photographic evidence, inspection techniques, and hands-on exercises to build confidence and competence.

  • Identify the most common defects across different construction packages
  • Understand compliance requirements and what makes a defect unsafe vs simply poor workmanship
  • Carry out structured snagging inspections using proven techniques
  • Communicate defects clearly to contractors
  • Reduce repeat defects through better QA and proactive inspection
  • Understand when defects require escalation or specialist input

Overview

Unlike generic snagging courses, this programme is tailored to real construction environments, focusing on fire safety, cladding, drylining, M&E, windows, and internal finishes. It prioritises practical inspection skills, showing delegates exactly what “good” and “bad” looks like using real-world defect examples gathered from UK sites.

The course also introduces quality culture, improving workmanship standards, and how to challenge contractors professionally when issues arise.

Role of defect recognition in construction quality
Why defects occur: time pressures, poor supervision, incorrect materials, lack of training
High-risk areas that regularly fail
What is a defect?
Statutory requirements (Building Regulations, Approved Documents)
Manufacturer requirements & installation specifications
Safety-critical defects (fire, structure, weather-tightness)
Acceptable tolerances (NHBC, British Standards)
When defects become a fire, structural or legal issue
1. Fire Stopping & Compartmentation
Incorrect sealant, missing collars, unsealed penetrations
Poorly installed cavity barriers
Lack of evidence for sign-off
Real-life photos: what good looks like
2. Drylining & Internal Walls
Poor boarding
Incorrect fixing patterns
Gaps, missing fire-line boards, misaligned studs
Plastering and finish defects
3. Rainscreen Cladding & Facades
Brackets not level
Incorrect insulation placement
Missing fixings
Fire barrier issues
4. Windows & Doors
Incorrect installation, missing packers
Poor tolerances, misaligned frames
Sealant failures
Fire door deficiencies
5. M&E (Mechanical & Electrical)
Penetrations
Pipework support issues
Cable containment
Incomplete commissioning
How to plan an inspection
The “top-down” inspection method
Using checklists effectively
Using mobile apps for snagging
Photographing defects professionally
How to avoid missing hidden or subtle defects
Safety vs quality vs cosmetic snags
Writing clear defect descriptions
Using reference numbers and categories
Prioritising defects (critical, major, minor)
How to produce evidence the contractor can’t dispute
Turning snags into actionable tasks
Using ACQP-style snagging sheets
Delegates review 50+ real site defect photographs
Group discussion: is it a defect? How should it be corrected?
Mark-up exercise (Observation sheet creation)
Trainer walk-through: expected answer & rationale
Root causes of recurring issues
QA strategies for site managers
Improving workmanship culture
How to brief subcontractors effectively
Real examples of improved standards
Quick assessment
Feedback
Certificates of completion issued

Overview

A practical, hands-on 1-day course designed to teach construction professionals how to identify, record, and prevent defects across all key building packages.
Using real photos, industry tolerances, and proven inspection techniques, delegates learn how to complete snagging works efficiently and confidently. Perfect for Site Managers, Supervisors, QA inspectors, Client Teams and anyone responsible for quality on site.

Most snagging courses only teach delegates how to walk around a building with a checklist. This course goes far deeper, focusing on real construction defects, compliance obligations, and the practical skills needed to stop issues at source, not just record them.
Yes. This course is specifically designed to strengthen your onsite quality assurance skills. It doesn’t just teach you how to spot defects, it teaches you how to prevent them, manage them, and raise the overall standard of work on your project. You’ll walk away with a practical understanding of what good quality looks like, how to structure inspections properly, and how to communicate issues in a way that gets results.

You’ll learn how to identify high-risk defects early, use inspection techniques that stop problems before they spread, and gather evidence that supports strong QA processes. The course also shows you how to brief subcontractors, improve workmanship culture, and use simple QA tools that make day-to-day site management more effective.

By the end of the day, you’ll not only be better at snagging, you’ll be more confident in running a site that is safer, more compliant, and consistently delivering higher-quality work.
The course covers the essential skills needed to recognise, record, and prevent defects across all major construction packages.
It teaches you how to identify poor workmanship, spot safety-critical issues, understand compliance requirements, carry out structured snagging inspections, and produce clear defect reports with photographic evidence.
Using real examples from UK sites, you’ll learn practical techniques that strengthen onsite quality assurance and help you deliver higher-standard projects.
Yes. The course can be delivered for private groups at our centre or at your organisation (subject to minimum numbers).

5.0

Rated 5 out of 3 Ratings

Course Breakdown

  • Max Learners : 12
  • Duration : 1 Days (8 Hours)
  • Lectures : 8
  • Categories: QA Inspection
  • Tags: Defects, Snagging
  • ACQP CPD Hours: 8
  • Delivery:Training Centre or In House
ACQP Members:£249
Non Members:£349
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ACQP Members Please contact colchester@acqp.co.uk for course discount. (£100 off all 1 Day Courses)