Developers have to be on top of the game when it comes to customer service. Janet Burnell, of Pentland Homes, is on the case.

I was pleased to see the positive results of the recent National New Home Customer Satisfaction Survey produced by the House Builders Federation, which showed that 88 per cent of people who have bought a new home are satisfied with its build quality, and a similarly impressive 86 per cent would recommend their house builder to a friend.

At Pentland Homes, we strongly believe that high standards of both build quality and customer service are essential, and because of this, we are lucky to have a number of people buying with us because a friend has recommended us, or because they have purchased with us before and are keen to do so again.

For me, this is the best way to measure if we are doing a good job or not.

The UK is not particularly well renowned for its good customer service, and we all know how annoying it can be when shop assistants are inattentive and unhelpful.

The same can be said when looking for a new build home. I once visited a competitor's show home as a mystery shopper and the assistant barely greeted me as I walked through the door, and then filed her nails and chatted on the phone as I showed myself around the property.

If I was a prospective buyer, this would have put me off straight away.

I think the results of the survey will help to show the public that, if you buy with a good house builder, the property itself and the service you receive will be of a high standard.

For more on Pentland Homes' developments, contact the sales office on 01303 893080 or visit the website http://www.pentlandhomes.co.uk/

Next month, Pentland Homes will be launching a small development of luxury barn-style homes in the Elham Valley.

The six homes at Henbury Manor are arranged around a courtyard and priced from £495,000.