This is the seventh HBF survey of home buyers and covers the 12 months from October 2010 to September 2011. The survey was launched in response to recommendations in the Barker Review of housing in 2004. It is a self-completion census of the new home purchasers of 16 large home builders.

Of the 41,892 questionnaires sent, 23,778 were returned, a response rate of 56.8% – an outstanding response to a hybrid email and postal survey. Full and individual company results are shown on page 2. 

The statistical methodology used in the analysis of this survey has been approved by the Statistical Services Centre, University of Reading. The methodology is the same as in the first survey, published in 2006, for which Ipsos MORI acted as a consultant. Industry results are weighted by builder to take account of the number of eligible homes they have built in the year. Individual company results are not weighted.

Company star rating results for Q1 and Q2 are presented in bands as follows:

90%+ 5 star
80% – 90% 4 star
70% – 80% 3 star
60% – 70% 2 star
50% – 60% 1 star

For Q1, stars were allocated according to the proportion responding ‘Very’ and ‘Fairly satisfied’.

For Q2, stars were allocated according to the proportion responding ‘Yes’ (i.e. they would recommend their builder to a friend).