The Home Builders Federation has released the results of their home buyer customer satisfaction survey, marking an improvement in new home satisfaction
The new-build homeowners’ survey finds a high opinion of most new builds.
Respondents showed that 9-in-10 new-build buyers would buy another new-build home in the future, despite only 30% having bought a new-build home in the past.
90% of buyers are satisfied with the quality of their homes
Furthermore, 90% were satisfied with the service provided by their builder during the process of buying their house, and 88% remained happy with the service after they moved in.
Despite the fact that most customers had an issue to report to their builder, one in five agreed there were fewer issues than expected. The present issues were often very minor, such as a paint drip.
The survey comes at a time when more and more new home buyers are covered by the New Homes Quality Board and their Consumer Code, which utilises redress through the independent New Homes Ombudsman Service.
Steve Turner, executive director at the Home Builders Federation, said: “This year’s Star Ratings and customer satisfaction results reflect the industry’s ongoing dedication to delivering high levels of customer care.
“Each year our industry delivers hundreds of thousands of homes, each thoughtfully planned, designed and delivered by a skilled workforce. While the overwhelming majority of customers are happy with their new build home, there is more work to be done to further improve standards and service levels. Most developers are now signed up to the New Homes Quality Board, committing to high standards of customer care and providing their buyers with greater protection, including access to the independent New Homes Ombudsman Service. We continue to support calls to mandate a consistent consumer code and universal access to the Ombudsman, and have urged Government to act on its commitment to deliver this.
“The star ratings are testament hard work of the entire home-building workforce, across all roles and responsibilities, despite what is an increasingly challenging operating environment.”
The full survey results can be found here.
Guidance on new build housing design was updated recently
In January, the rulebook on building new homes for councils and developers received an update to focus more on quality, value, and resilience to climate change.
Rather than just homes, this will have an expanded effect on new neighbourhoods, with a focus on features such as having better connections to local shops and services, having quieter streets, reduced traffic, and improved green spaces.
The homes themselves are to consider modern features such as work-from-home spaces, flexible layouts, and space for families to grow.
Housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, said: “Exemplary development should be the norm not the exception so that more communities feel the benefits of new development and welcome it.
“As we act to boost housing supply, we are also taking steps to improve the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods being built.
“These standards will help ensure new homes and neighbourhoods are attractive, well-connected, sustainable, and built to last.”
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