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HBF’s highest-rated new build developers in the UK

We explore the highest-rated new build developers in the UK* based on customer satisfaction ratings by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

The Home Builders Federation rewards developers with a five-star rating if they receive more than 90% customer satisfaction scores, based on survey responses from customers over a 12-month period. These star ratings are awarded every March.

Listed below is our the top 10 list of the highest-scoring developers in the UK, based on these ratings. Stay tuned to the end where we also provide our expert tips to help you find the best new build developers for you.

Top 10 developers in the UK

  1. Bloor Homes
  2. Orbit Homes
  3. Lagan Homes
  4. Norfolk Homes
  5. The Hill Group
  6. Beal Homes
  7. Dandara Homes
  8. Persimmon Homes
  9. Story Homes
  10. CALA Homes

1. Bloor Homes

Bloor Homes has been recognised as a five-star developer by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) for six years in a row. This year, Bloor Homes has an impressive rating of 97.4%, out of a sample size of 1682 customers.

Beginning its journey in 1969, Bloor is a family-run business that truly cares about maintaining high standards and building family homes for more than 50 years.

Find your new home with Bloor.

2. Orbit Homes

One of the leading UK home developers, Orbit Homes has earned its five-star reputation with a customer satisfaction rating of 97.3% with the Home Builders Federation.

Established in 1967, Orbit’s goal has always been to build quality and affordable homes with a twelve-point design strategy to ensure design and quality are always at the forefront of its builds. The developer now builds approximately 1,000 quality new homes every year!

Find your new home with Orbit.

3. Lagan Homes

Lagan Homes is another of the best developers in the UK with a customer satisfaction rating of 97.2% out of 187 surveys. Boasting an impressive property portfolio, Lagan Homes has been in business for over 30 years, building quality homes across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England.

Find your new home with Lagan Homes.

4. Norfolk Homes

Another five-star developer, the Home Builders Federation’s customer satisfaction survey results reveal that Norfolk Homes has a rating of 97.2%. ‘Building exceptional homes since 1985’, Norfolk Homes is a desirable new home developer for the Norfolk area with over 35 years of experience and more than 3,500 new homes built.

Find your new home with Norfolk Homes.

5. The Hill Group

Out of 497 surveys, The Hill Group has a customer satisfaction rating of 97% according to the Home Builders Federation. As such, it is one of the best developers in the UK with a glowing five-star rating.

The Hill Group is renowned for its range of beautiful new homes across London and the South East of England and has more than 450 industry awards to show for it.

Find your new home with The Hill Group.

6. Beal Homes

With a customer satisfaction rating of 96.4%, Beal Homes is another five-star house builder in the UK. Building homes across Hull and East Yorkshire for the past 50 years, Beal Homes is one of the largest developers in the area offering high-quality builds and a smooth purchasing process.

Find your new home with Beal Homes.

7. Dandara Homes

The Home Builders Federation has also given Dandara Homes a five-star rating for four consecutive years, with a customer satisfaction score of 96.2% in 2024.

Dandara builds beautiful homes across England, Scotland, Isle of Man and Jersey, incorporating the latest design trends and highest building standards.

Find your new home with Dandara Homes.

8. Persimmon Homes

Persimmon Homes has a customer satisfaction rating of 95%, earning it a five-star rating. As one of the largest developers, Persimmon also has one of the largest sample sizes (7599) reviews, which means it has plenty of positive customer feedback.

Offering everything from one-bed starter homes to five-bedroom family properties, Persimmon builds quality properties across the UK and offers exceptional customer service.

Find your new home with Persimmon Homes.

9. Story Homes

Story Homes also has a 95% customer satisfaction rating, which earns it a five-star rating with the Home Buyers Federation and makes it to our list of the best developers in the UK, for the North in particular.

Founded in 1987, Story Homes began its journey with a mission to design and build quality homes. It has developments across the North East, North West, Cumbria and Scotland, each built with high-quality materials and the latest designs.

Find your new home with Story Homes.

10. CALA Homes

With a 94.9% customer satisfaction rating out of 2,231 surveys, CALA Homes also has a five-star Home Buyers Federation rating, making it a top choice for homebuyers with lots of feedback to go by.

Also, with developments across England and Scotland, CALA Homes has more than forty years under its belt and offers modern, quality homes in desirable locations. CALA prides itself on quality as standard, building to excellence on all its developments.

Find your new home with CALA Homes.

How to find the best new build home developers

1. Read customer reviews

Customer reviews are an invaluable resource when it comes to finding the right new build developer as it provides an authentic perspective. Look for feedback from previous buyers across various platforms, like Google reviews , Yelp or property sites. You can filter reviews for certain aspects, such as quality, after-sales support and warranties.

Alternatively, check out the Home Builders Federation’s (HBF) annual customer satisfaction surveys, as outlined in our list above. Look out for a five-star rating, which means the developer has a customer satisfaction rate of 90% or higher.

2. Check out the developers’ award wins

Awards and recognitions can be a strong indicator of a developer’s reputation and the quality of its builds. Do some research to find out which developers have won industry awards, such as those from the National House Building Council (NHBC) or the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

3. Follow developers on social media

Social media platforms provide a window into the developer’s ongoing projects, company culture, values and customer interactions. So, this will give you a better idea of what they’re really like, not just what their website says and how they market themselves. Follow them on social platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn and stay up-to-date, view photos and videos of their builds and read comments and reviews from followers.

4. Do your research

Thorough research is crucial when choosing a developer. Look into the company’s history, financial stability and track record. Investigate how long they have been in business and the number of projects they have completed. Also, check for any legal issues or complaints filed against them. This shouldn’t be an issue when going for reputable builders with solid HBF ratings.

5. Go on site visits

Arrange visits to the site to see completed and ongoing projects by the developers you’re considering. This will give you a first-hand look at the quality of their work and give you the opportunity to talk to current homeowners in these developments, who could potentially be your new neighbours.

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*Our top ten list comprises new home developers with the highest ratings and that are OnTheMarket partners. The full list of top developers is available on the Home Builders Federation website.