THE southern office of Britain's biggest retirement housebuilder, McCarthy and Stone, has won a five-star customer satisfaction rating for an 11th consecutive year.

The accolade for the Ringwood-based regional office came in an independent survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

Bournemouth-headquartered McCarthy and Stone has maintained at least a 90 per cent customer satisfaction rating since the survey began asking customers in 2006 whether they would recommend the company and its product to a friend.

Shane Paull, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone Southern, said: “We are delighted to receive the HBF Customer Service award for the eleventh consecutive year – not least because we are the only housebuilder of any size or type to have done so. We would like to personally thank all of our customers across the southern region who have voted to give us this rating.

“However, the credit for this fantastic achievement really has to go to our committed team operating across our southern developments, who provide excellent service each and every day, alongside our construction and management services teams who continue to deliver attractive, high quality Ortus, Retirement, and Assisted Living properties which, as the results show, people are proud to call their home.”

McCarthy and Stone has built more than 50,000 specialist retirement apartments since 1977, with 160 developments under construction or for sale nationwide.

Over the last 12 months, its southern region has delivered 311 new homes in eight desirable locations, including Swanage, Weymouth, Amesbury, Chippenham, Chipping Sodbury, Swindon, Bembridge and Wickham, with further growth expected in 2016.

Mr Paull added: “Alongside delivering a high quality product, customer service and support represents one of the fundamental principles of our business, ensuring that homeowners and their families are supported and guided through the purchasing process. We do this by building great developments and supporting customers through the moving stages, ensuring they have everything they need to settle into their new home.

"Also, our dedicated house managers and estates managers ensure the smooth running of our developments, manage the building, gardens and grounds, and are there to help homeowners live independent and full lives, arranging social activities for the whole development.”