Citing fewer reported problems per home, J.D. Power and Associates’ recently released “2009 New-Home Quality Study” suggests that consumers’ perceptions of home quality have improved since last year. The study, which measures the occurrence and impact of construction problems reported by new-home owners in 24 markets, ranks local builders according to an index based on the number and severity of problems reported and the size of the homes affected. Click here to read BUILDER magazine’s report on the findings.
J.D. Power and Associates also released the results of its “2009 U.S. New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Survey,” which showed that overall customer satisfaction has improved for the second consecutive year, rising to 811 (on a 1,000-point scale) in 2009 from 779 in 2008. The markets with the highest levels of new-home customer satisfaction are Orange/San Diego, Calif; Sacramento, Calif.; Phoenix.; Inland Empire, Calif.; and Tampa, Fla. Also included in the survey is a satisfaction ranking of builders in 24 markets, based on nine factors: workmanship/materials; builder’s warranty/customer service staff; price/value; builder’s sales staff; construction manager; home readiness; recreational facilities provided; builder’s design center; and location. Click here for the builder rankings.
