This year, for the first time, developers were able to team up with Premier Guarantee and take part in the HBF New Homes Customers Survey and Star Rating scheme.
Amethyst Homes were just one of the developers we were delighted to partner with on the survey.
Here, we talk to Amethyst Managing Director Richard Bass about the survey, its importance and just what it feels like to be recognised as a 5-star rated developer.
We are a small privately owned regional housebuilder. Fundamentally, we are less focused on the numbers of units being delivered, but on producing a great final product for our customers. This, to us, is more important than pushing for targets and numbers just to satisfy shareholders.
We try to do things a little different to the larger national developers; by having a slightly different specification and using more retail-recognised brands such as Magnet Kitchens and SMEG appliances.
This is really the only industry-recognised survey which allows you to see what your customers think. I was therefore keen to participate in the survey as soon as we were able to.
Hearing what customers think of their journey with us via an independent process, whether this is good or bad, helps us to understand our business better and shapes our customer focus going forward.
We’re all absolutely delighted to achieve this. Given that this is our first year participating in the scheme means even more and it is a real testimony to the whole team and the way they have embraced our customer focus over the last couple of years.
We always thought we did a good job but to have this confirmed through an industry-recognised scheme means even more.
We thought we had a good product and provided a good service but to see this via the completed surveys is so helpful. However you can never sit on your laurels, so we will continue to strive to do the best we possibly can, and having this feedback will help to shape our future strategies.
We thought we had a good product and provided a good service but to see this via the completed surveys is so helpful. However you can never sit on your laurels, so we will continue to strive to do the best we possibly can, and having this feedback will help to shape our future strategies.
I can’t really comment on what other companies think about this but, for me, I would say don’t be afraid of the results. The only way you can move forward is to learn from the results, both good and bad.
We will certainly try our best to do things right first time. Things will not always go to plan and, given the nature of housebuilding, there will always be issues to address. When things are reported, we’ll try our best to put things right as quickly as we can.
We will always be honest and realistic with customers in our communications and not over promise.
This year we have two new developments starting which is really exciting for the business. Hopefully we will continue to see positivity in the market and most importantly try to retain our 5-star status next year which would be another great result.
Learn more about our HBF accredited New Homes Survey and speak to one of our account managers today to join the Star Rating scheme.