Snagging And First & Second Fix

Snagging, First Fix, Second Fix: A Guide

First Fix
Second Fix & Snagging

You might have heard of phrases like 'first fix' and 'snagging', but what do they actually mean? If you're starting your first renovation or self build, you might have to get used to some new jargon.

By Emma Jones

If it's the first time you've been involved in a renovation, then you'll soon notice that, despite their varied roles, the people involved in the project (see our guide to Tradespeople: Who Does What?) use a set of common phrases to describe stages of the build. Take some time to understand these and you'll be better equipped to follow the timeline of your build.

First Fix

The first fix includes everything in the first stage of the build, up to and including the plastering.

Depending on the scale of your renovation, this will probably include all of the main construction: foundations, floors, walls and ceilings. The other two main elements of this stage of the build are water and electrics: the electrician will make sure all the cables are in place for your electrical supply, whilst the plumber will sort out all of the pipework, ready for your water supply.

The first fix is probably the most complicated to co-ordinate. A good project manager is there to ensure that carpenters and builders work together with electricians and plumbers, making sure that all the elements of the build are done efficiently and in a timely way. Will the electrician be ready to put the cables in once the walls are built? Will the plasterers be ready to finish the walls when the cables are in? Sometimes it can only take one element in the chain to scupper a whole timetable.

Although everyone is speaking the same language, constant communication and good project management are vital to ensure that everyone knows what is expected and when - and that problems can be dealt with as soon as possible.