The third National Consumer Satisfaction Survey, released today (Feb 3), reveals that housebuilders star ratings have risen slightly since the last analysis two years ago. However key questions on overall satisfaction with the quality and service of the new homes process reveal a slight slipping of standards. The survey, commissioned by the Housing Forum, sponsored by the DTI and ODPM and conducted by MORI, rates the top housebuilders by a star system against six criteria on quality and service. Maximum stars in all categories were gained by Bloor, Crest Nicholson, Croudace, George Wimpey, Jelson and McCarthy & Stone. Barratt was the only housebuilder to be below average in every category. The study, the third to be published since 2000, questioned more than 10,000 new homeowners on a range of criteria including quality of the home, service provided by housebuilders and owner attitudes towards new homes. Housing Forum Chairman Hugh Try believes that several factors are influencing the year-on-year trends coming out of the National Customer Satisfaction Survey: “Overall satisfaction rates with the quality, construction and finish of new homes are still extremely high. I do believe, however, that we are seeing a more educated consumer. This is raising the bar …