Which are the best UK house builders when it comes to build quality? HomeViews collects reviews from verified residents in thousands of new build homes across the country, providing feedback on every aspect of buying, renting and living in their homes. If you’re considering buying or renting a new build, take a look at our rankings to see which developers build to the highest standards.
Ranking UK house builders on build quality
Build quality is understandably one of the key considerations for buyers and renters when deciding where to live. Having confidence in the quality of your home puts your mind at ease when it comes to snagging issues and maintenance costs, as well as the long-term value of your home.
The reviews you see on HomeViews show ratings for facilities, design, location, value, and property management. However, we also collect ratings and reviews on a number of topics not shown publicly on the site.
These cover specific elements of the renting or buying experience, including customer service, build timetable, aftersales care and build quality. This is the data we’ve used to create this list.
The top 10 UK house builders for build quality
So, which of the UK’s new home builders rank best for build quality? Take a look at our rankings below, to help guide your new build property search.
The list is based on reviews submitted between April 2023 and April 2025.
These were based on Verified reviews on HomeViews, and required the developer to have at least three developments across sales properties, Housing Association homes and Housing Developments. The rankings below are based on ratings for Delivery Quality, and developers required a minimum of 50+ Verified reviews to be eligible.
1. Berkeley Group
Build quality rating: 4.15 out of 5
Berkeley Group has a long-running reputation for quality across its buildings and customer service teams, and it rates as the top developer for build quality in our rankings. Operating across London, Birmingham and the South of England, Berkeley also secured the top spot in our latest list of the highest rated new homes builders for after-sales care.
2. The Hill Group
Build quality rating: 4.08 out of 5
The Hill Group is second in our list of the highest-rated developers for build quality. The developer impresses residents with the quality of its homes throughout London and the South East of England. Hill has secured various other accolades in the housebuilding industry, including 5-star status from the Home Builders Federation’s Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
3. FABRICA
Build quality rating: 4.00 out of 5
FABRICA ranks third in our listing of the best developers for build quality. With 17 developments reviewed on HomeViews, FABRICA provides a mix of suburban family housing and modern apartment developments, mostly focused in Surrey and West London.
4. Countryside
Build quality rating: 3.94 out of 5
Countryside operates across London, the South East, the North West of England and the West Midlands, and was founded in 1958. Taking fourth place in this year’s list, Countryside also creates affordable and private housing for local authorities and housing associations through planning agreements, PRS housing, mixed use schemes and joint ventures.
5. Davidsons Homes
Build quality rating: 3.93 out of 5
Davidsons takes fifth place in our ranking, with its 24 developments garnering an average score for build quality of 3.93 out of 5. For over fifty years, this family owned and managed developer has been creating beautifully designed properties across the Midlands. Davidsons Homes take pride in building solid, distinctive homes and creating unique places with characterful landscaping and open spaces.
6. Northstone
Build quality rating: 3.92 out of 5
Sixth-placed Northstone is part of the Peel Group, a northern-based developer providing quality, innovative homes. They strive to create spaces, environments and communities for families to thrive. With spaces to fit the needs of modern life and embrace technology, Northstone aims to enhance local ecosystems with a commitment to sustainability and a people-first approach.
7. Barratt Homes
Build quality rating: 3.75 out of 5
With reviews on HomeViews for 56 of its developments, Barratt Homes/Barratt London takes tenth place. Barratt Developments Plc is one of the UK’s largest property developers with over 30 operating divisions. (Note: this ranking combines ratings for both Barratt Homes and Barratt London).
8. Lovell Homes
Build quality rating: 3.74 out of 5
With 67 developments reviewed on HomeViews, Lovell takes eighth place with an average build quality score of 3.74 out of 5. Lovell Homes specialises in helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a range of incentives that make purchasing a property more affordable. With a focus on sustainability, quality design and customer service, Lovell Homes aims to build not just homes, but communities.
9. Higgins Homes PLC
Build quality rating: 3.73 out of 5
Taking ninth place, Higgins Homes PLC is an award-winning developer that builds and designs properties across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent. This family-run company has been operating for more than 50 years. Every Higgins Homes development is crafted with care, attention to detail and is guaranteed for 10 years by a national warranty provider.
10. Southern Housing
Build quality rating: 3.65 out of 5
Rounding off the list in 10th place, Southern Housing is one of the largest housing providers in the UK. The developer has 36 schemes listed on HomeViews, with an average build quality score of 3.65 out of 5. It offers a wide range of housing options, including: Traditional social housing, Shared ownership, Affordable rent, Private market rent, Student accommodation, Care and support services and Outright sales.
Top 5 things new build owners wish they’d known before buying
Before you go, here’s a quick rundown of the top five things that new-build buyers say they wish they’d known before purchasing (read the full top 10 list here).
New-build buyers said they wished they had known more about:
- The developer and property manager (reviews on HomeViews!)
- Parking arrangements
- The quality of the garden
- Snagging surveys – how they work, what the developer’s conditions are, etc.
- How the property looks/feels at different times of the day
So do bear these important points in mind if you’re looking for a new-build property.
The 10 biggest house builders in the UK
The best housebuilders for build quality aren’t necessarily going to be the biggest developers. However, Barratt, Berkeley and Countryside achieve the impressive feat of being among the largest buidlers, while also achieving impressive build quality ratings.
Below is a list of the biggest UK house builders by housing turnover, according to Building.co.uk:
- Barratt Developments
- Taylor Wimpey
- Persimmon
- Bellway
- Vistry Group
- Berkeley Group
- Redrow Group
- Countryside Properties
- Bloor Homes
- Cala Group
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
