Snagging invoice template UK (2026): defects, punch lists, CIS and VAT
Snagging invoice UK, short answer: a snagging / defects / punch-list invoice bills labour and materials to fix or complete snags after practical completion (or after a formal snagging inspection) — not a variation for agreed extras on live scope, not a retention release, and not a named stage or open % progress payment. Who pays is set by the contract or snagging instruction (main contractor, client, or householder). CIS may apply when a CIS contractor pays you for construction operations — soften with HMRC’s CIS overview and your accountant. A private householder paying for snag fixes on their own home is usually not CIS and is never treated as the CIS contractor for that home. If you are VAT-registered (threshold £90,000), show VAT correctly on taxable lines; if you are not registered, do not charge VAT.
Use this page when the PDF is a snagging / defects / remaking punch-list bill. The process of writing the list itself lives on the sister how to write a snagging list UK. It is not a variation / extras / change-order invoice, not a named stage payment, not an open-ended progress payment, not a deposit, and not a retention release. Figures below are illustrative only. Need the PDF now? Open the free invoice generator (Free: 5 invoices; Pro £7.99 / Pro+ £12.99).
Who pays, CIS and VAT on a snagging invoice
Start with who instructed the snag fixes and whether the work sits inside an existing defects liability period or is a paid remaking instruction. Snagging billing is about defects / incomplete punch-list items, not a CIS shortcut.
Who pays you | Typical snagging job | CIS? | VAT if registered |
|---|---|---|---|
Private householder | Punch-list fixes after handover on their own home | Usually no — never treat them as CIS contractor for own home | Often 20% on ordinary domestic works — soften Notice 708; do not invent 0% |
Main contractor / CIS contractor | Snag labour/materials against a construction contract after PC | May be in CIS base when ops are in scope — soften with HMRC / accountant | Normal VAT, or reverse charge only when eligible contractor tests met — never on a householder |
Client / developer QS | Certified defects schedule / making-good instruction | Depends whether the payer is a CIS contractor for construction ops | Show net / VAT / gross if registered |
Retention / variation (not this page) | Held % release, or agreed extras that change contract sum | Same CIS tests — use retention or variation sisters | Same VAT rules |
CIS rates (0% / 20% / 30%) sit with the contractor when CIS applies — InvoiceAdept does not decide status and does not file CIS300. VAT threshold is £90,000. InvoiceAdept does not file VAT returns, MTD updates or Self Assessment.
Snagging vs variation vs stage vs progress vs retention vs deposit
Use this page when the deal is fixing defects or completing punch-list items after practical completion or a snagging inspection. Sister pages stay for sister intents.
Billing shape | When it fits | Invoice cue |
|---|---|---|
Snagging / defects (this page) | Punch-list / making-good / remaking after PC or snag inspection | Snag list ref + item IDs + labour/materials for fixes |
Process: inspect, list, photo, agree close-out | Sister how-to — not the PDF invoice shape | |
Agreed change order that changes original quote / contract sum | VO / change-order ref | |
Named stage in an agreed payment schedule | Stage number + schedule label | |
Open-ended % or valued progress on original scope | % complete / cumulative to date | |
Holdback previously deducted is now due | Retention % / amount, release trigger | |
Upfront sum before (or as) work starts | Deposit % or fixed sum |
If the PDF only releases held retention, use retention. If the client agreed extras that grew the contract sum, use variation (and the how-to variation sister). Do not invent CIS on a householder snagging bill.
What a UK snagging invoice must include
Field | Always? | Snagging notes |
|---|---|---|
Your name or business name | Yes | Match Self Assessment / Companies House |
Your address and contact | Yes | Email helps QS / site manager queries |
Customer name and address | Yes | Ltd = registered name; add site address if different |
Unique sequential invoice number | Yes | e.g. INV-SNAG-2026-0004 |
Invoice date | Yes | Date of issue |
Tax point / supply date | If VAT-registered and different | Useful when snag completion date differs from issue date |
Description of snagging work | Yes | Site, snag list / defects schedule ref, item IDs, what was fixed; “snagging / defects — not variation or retention” |
Original contract / PC / prior invoice refs | Strongly recommended | Link practical completion date and the snag list version |
Payment terms | Yes | Due on receipt / 7 / 14 / 30 days (or contract defects cycle) |
VAT number, rates, VAT amount | If VAT-registered | Show net, VAT and gross |
CIS UTR / deduction narrative | When a CIS contractor pays you within scope | Omit on true householder PDFs |
Bank details | Strongly recommended | Sort code and account name matching the invoice |
Never reverse-charge a private householder. Never invent CIS on a domestic own-home snag PDF.
Copy-paste snagging invoice example (illustrative)
Scenario: sole trader joiner invoices a main contractor for snag list SL-14 items 3, 7 and 12 after practical completion on a fit-out. CIS registered at 20%. Not VAT-registered. Agreed snag net = £680 (illustrative).
Line | Qty | Unit | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
SL-14 item 3 — rehang door leaf + adjust ironmongery, Unit C | 1 | snag | £180.00 |
SL-14 item 7 — replace scratched skirting (2.4 m) + make good | 1 | snag | £320.00 |
SL-14 item 12 — sealant remake at vanity junction | 1 | snag | £180.00 |
Original contract / PC certificate | Already billed — not re-billed here | ||
Gross subject to CIS (this snagging bill) | £680.00 | ||
CIS deduction @ 20% | −£136.00 | ||
VAT | Not registered — net only | ||
Amount payable by contractor | £544.00 |
Narrate on the PDF: “Snagging SL-14 items 3/7/12 at [site] per defects schedule after PC. Not a variation, stage payment or retention release. CIS registered 20%. UTR on file.” Keep snag bills separate from VO and retention PDFs so AP can match the punch list.
CIS, VAT and reverse charge cues
Topic | Practical rule |
|---|---|
Snagging for a CIS contractor on construction ops | May be in CIS base — soften |
Householder own-home punch-list fixes | Usually no CIS; never treat them as CIS contractor |
VAT threshold | £90,000 |
Domestic reverse charge | Never on a householder; contractor tests only |
Deemed contractor | £3 million construction-spend framing — not £1 million |
Defects liability vs paid snags | Confirm whether the contract already includes making-good, or this is a paid remaking instruction |
InvoiceAdept | Does not file CIS300, VAT, MTD or Self Assessment |
Agreeing snags before you invoice
Confirm the snag list version, item IDs, who authorises close-out, whether the work is already covered by contract making-good, and whether CIS will apply before you remobilise. Put photos and sign-off against each item so the PDF can cite the same refs.
Shape | How to show it on the PDF |
|---|---|
Fixed sum per snag item | “SL-14 item 7 — skirting remake = £X agreed” |
Day-rate snag labour | “Snag labour 0.5 day @ £Y = £Z per SL-14” |
Materials for remaking | List materials net; keep separate from original materials lines |
Snag then retention release | This page for the snag labour; retention sister when holdback is released |
Weak: “Snags as agreed £680.” Usable: “SL-14 items 3/7/12 Unit C after PC 2 Sep 2026 = £680 net, CIS 20%, not VAT-registered, not a variation or retention release.”
Payment terms and getting paid
Main-contractor snag bills often follow the same certificate / AP cycle as stages (14 or 30 days). Householders often prefer 7 days or due on receipt once punch-list items are signed off. Put bank details on the PDF. Soften B2B late-payment interest with the contract and your accountant.
Common mistakes on snagging invoices
Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
Vague “snags as agreed” lump | Name snag list ref, item IDs, site and amounts |
Billing snags that the contract already covers as free making-good | Confirm paid instruction vs defects liability obligation first |
Calling a variation a snagging invoice | Use the variation sister for agreed extras that change the contract sum |
Mixing snag lines into a retention release PDF | Keep snag labour separate from holdback release |
CIS narrative on a householder snag PDF | Remove CIS lines when the householder pays |
Charging VAT when not registered | Net only until registered |
Re-billing original scope as “snagging” | Only bill punch-list / defects remaking that is due as a separate instruction |
Reverse-charging a householder | Never — reverse charge is contractor-to-contractor when tests met |
Frequently asked questions
Is a snagging invoice the same as a variation invoice?
No. A variation bills agreed extras / change orders that change the original quote or contract sum. A snagging invoice bills defects / punch-list remaking after practical completion or a snag inspection.
How is this different from the snagging-list how-to?
This page is the PDF template shape (fields, example, CIS/VAT cues). The how-to sister covers inspecting, listing and closing snags before you bill.
Does CIS always apply to snagging invoices?
No. CIS may apply when a CIS contractor pays you for construction operations. Private householders on their own home are usually outside CIS — soften with HMRC / your accountant.
Can I put CIS deduction lines on a householder snagging invoice?
Usually no. If a private householder pays the punch-list fixes on their own home, leave CIS narrative off the PDF.
What VAT threshold should I use in 2026?
£90,000. Soften registration with your accountant.
Is snagging the same as releasing retention?
No. Retention is holdback previously deducted and now due — use the retention template. Snagging is the labour/materials to clear the punch list.
Do I charge VAT on snagging if I am not VAT-registered?
No. Net only until you are registered.
Where can I build the PDF quickly?
Use the InvoiceAdept free invoice generator — Free covers 5 invoices; Pro is £7.99 and Pro+ £12.99 when you need more.
Next step: build the snagging invoice
Cite the snag list / defects schedule ref and item IDs, keep householder vs contractor facts straight, show CIS arithmetic only when due, and show VAT only if registered (£90,000 threshold). Open the free invoice generator, paste the lines from the worked example shape, and send when snags are signed off. InvoiceAdept does not file CIS300, VAT returns, MTD or Self Assessment for you.
Last reviewed: 17 September 2026.
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