HOUSEBUILDERS operating only in Scotland will now have the chance to join their UK-wide counterparts in the ‘Five Star Builder’ scheme.
The move was announced at the Homes for Scotland (HFS) annual conference in Edinburgh. The initiative allows buyers of new homes to compare builders in terms of customer satisfaction. The scheme was previously limited to those building right across the UK, excluding those operating only north of the border.
HFS has also unveiled a new five-year strategy with a focus on improving quality and customer satisfaction. A document was unveiled to an audience of 200 industry representatives and housing stakeholders.
HFS chief executive Nicola Barclay said, “Launching our new strategy publicly demonstrates our approach to collaboration. We want everyone with an interest in increasing housing supply to unify around the primary purpose of delivering more homes for Scotland so that we can meet the needs and aspirations of our growing population. We talk a lot about the need to deliver more housing, but our strategy also focuses on the importance of ensuring that these new homes are of a high standard.
“Previously only those building across the UK could take part in the ‘Five Star Builder’ scheme and publish their results, but our announcement today means that companies operating north of the border can now also fully participate. This means that those thinking about buying a new home will, in time, have a clear benchmark to compare their builder in terms of customer satisfaction. Highlighting the significance builders attach to this scheme, we are delighted that more than ten of our members who are now able to take part for the first time have already signed up.”
Among those to sign up are A & J Stephen (Builders). Their marketing manager Tom Buchanan said, “We are delighted to be part of this quality initiative which will focus customer attention on the performance of the new build housing sector. The customer survey will allow us, through a rigorous externally verified process, to look closely at the various aspects of the home buying process which our customers feel are important to them. The results of the surveys will help guide and improve the way we manage not only customer relations but also product development and future design.”
Walker Group sales director Sandy Casey added, “We have long been supporters of the ‘Five Star Builder’ rating system and are thrilled that it is finally available to Scottish housebuilders. A high rating not only provides reassurance to customers that they are buying a quality product but is also a great inspiration for everyone within the sector to continue to innovate and raise industry standards.”
