Send in your questions to Steve. . .

Q We are buying a new house and are confused about the significance of a 'snag list'. What exactly is it?

Dee Burke I cannot stress enough the importance of a snag list when purchasing both a new or secondhand property. A snag list is essentially a report to be presented to your builder, noting the defects in your chosen property which should be recti"ed before you move into your home. Lots of people buy a house without a snag list being prepared and only spot the defects after living in the property for some time. In a recent survey which I undertook I found 159 snags. Would you buy a house with 159 unforeseen problems? A properly prepared and presented snag list will save you time, hassle and money and is well worth the investment especially when you consider what you could end up paying to have the problems recti"ed. I offer a snagging service from 250.

Q A builder installed a Lambourghini domestic boiler for us about two years ago. Shortly thereafter when in off mode the boiler indicactor would drop below the first level and then would not switch on when timed. Then the indicator started to go above the third level. The builder said this shouldn't happen and told us the boiler was faulty. We had a Lambourghini technician examine the boiler who told us there was no problem.

This winter we're back to square one. Is there someone you can recommend who can help?

Moirin Moynihan Your "rst point of contact should be your builder. He undertook the contract for you, so he has an obligation to provide you with a suitable boiler. He should go back to the plumbing merchants who supplied the boiler and they should organise a serviceman from Lambourghini to look at the boiler. The boiler should not need to have water put into the system by you, if you have to do this there is de"nitely something wrong. If all else fails contact me and I will organise a consultation with a specialist boiler-servicing company.

Q We had a marble fireplace installed 18 months ago.

When we light a fire the room fills with a stifling plastic-smelling odour which appears to be coming from the cast-iron surround. The manufacturer told us that this would burn off in due course but there hasn't been any improvement. Is there anything we can use to strip the cast iron parts in-situ without damaging the surrounding marble?

John Lennon The only way to rectify this problem is to contact the company you bought the "replace from, it is ultimately their problem . . . not yours.

Q Iam doing up my bathroom and would like to replace my bath but the bathroom is very small. Any ideas on the type of suite to buy?

A Brennan If your bathroom is small I would suggest you install a quadrant bath. This will "t snugly into the corner of the room giving you extra "oor space. Visit a few bathroom showrooms to see what they have in stock and ask for advice. Bring along a rough sketch of what your bathroom looks like to help the sales staff suggest relevant "xtures.

Enter and win This Christmas, Doorstep Doctor is giving away a Fein Multimaster tool (for sawing, sanding, scraping, polishing, cutting) worth 185 to one lucky reader (supplied by Don Cowman of DNJ Power Tools, Dublin). To be in with a chance to win just tell us the name of Doorstep Doctor Steve Guerin's website. Answer with your name, address and daytime telephone number to doorstepdoctor@tribune. ie. Closing date is 15 December, 2006