National housebuilder David Wilson Homes has a reputation for building well-designed, high-quality houses.
The company has won more awards than any other housebuilder over the last 18 consecutive years. David Wilson Homes were awarded the maximum five stars in the Home Builders Federation’s National New Home Customer Satisfaction Survey 2020-21.
Their site managers won 98 Pride in the Job Quality Awards in 2021, more than any other housebuilder in this competition.
We take a look at the company, examining:
- The firm’s history, reputation and awards
- Independent reviews
- Some current David Wilson Homes developments
History of David Wilson Homes
David Wilson Homes have been building new homes since 1958. In April 2007, the company was acquired by Barratt and is now part of Barratt Developments PLC Group. Today, Barratt comprises 27 housebuilding divisions and builds homes under the David Wilson Homes brand, Barratt London and Barratt Homes.
Barratt Developments PLC has been trading since 1953, has an annual turnover of around £3,419 million, employs 6,665 people and is the UK’s biggest housebuilder, according to Housing Today.
David Wilson Homes received five stars in the Home Builders Federation’s National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey 2020-21 and are the only major national housebuilder to achieve this rating every year since 2010. The survey found that over 90% of David Wilson Homes buyers would recommend the company to their friends.
Beating every other housebuilder in the competition, the company’s site managers were awarded 98 Pride in the Job Quality Awards in 2021; over 16,000 site managers are judged by the NHBC and industry experts and 450 receive the award. David Wilson Homes’ site managers also won 5 out of the 10 regional awards for best site managers.
David Wilson Homes are building sustainably to reduce carbon emissions and this strategy will help their customers combat rising energy prices. They also offer a range of schemes to help first-time buyers along with guidance to help customers find competitive mortgage rates. Buying a new home also comes with the advantage of choosing optional upgrades as the house is being built.
David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments PLC Group said:
We are very proud of our record over the last few years. In the recent NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Awards, our site managers won more awards than any other housebuilder for the 18th year in a row. The awards are for site management, and they are a key indicator of delivering very high-quality development.
They also showcase our commitment to our customers and the investment and effort we put into delivering the homes this country needs. Every customer who buys a home built by a site manager who has won a Pride in the Job Quality award can have confidence that their home is of the highest possible quality.
In addition, earlier in the year we were awarded the maximum 5-star rating by our customers in the Home Builders Federation New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. This is the 13th year in a row that our customers have rated us as 5-star a record no other major housebuilder can match.
We put our customers at the heart of what we do, so for over 90% of them to say they would recommend us to a friend is really positive. Equally, as the country’s largest housebuilder delivering 18,000+ homes a year, it’s important to recognise that we don’t get everything right. But when we don’t we work as hard as we can to fix any snags or issues. It is this absolute focus on customer satisfaction which helps us to win so many awards.
Independent reviews of David Wilson Homes
According to HomeViews, a dedicated site that reviews the residential property industry, David Wilson Homes scores well (see table below). Based on 320 customer reviews from David Wilson Homes’ 26 developments, they scored four stars out of five. To obtain the statistics, residents are asked questions about what it’s like to live in a new home, its management, design, facilities, sales and letting process, its value, and best feature.
| Excellent | 34.06% |
| Very good | 45.94% |
| Average | 14.05% |
| Disappointing | 2.81% |
| Very poor | 3.13% |
The online customer review platform Trustpilot rates David Wilson Homes at 4.3 stars out of five. This table shows their results as percentages from the 2,719 people reviewed.
| Excellent | 72% |
| Great | 9% |
| Average | 3% |
| Poor | 3% |
| Bad | 13% |
Current David Wilson Homes developments
Kingsbrook
This joint development by David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes is a multi-award-winning scheme that is building 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom houses in three villages – Oakfield Village, Orchard Green and Canal Quarter. The sites are close to Aylesbury town centre, and sustainable communities are being designed, which include two new primary schools, a new secondary school, parks, allotments, sports facilities and a 250-acre wildlife area.
Working with the RSPB and Aylesbury Vale District Council, Kingsbrook will become the UK’s first ever fully nature-friendly housing development.
Oakfield Village
Influenced by Garden City principles, this phase of the development will include 492 homes and will be the first village to be built. It will include the first phase of Canal Park, Oakfield Park and Broughton Brook Park. Most of the homes are now occupied and the school will shortly be finished. The build has included the installation of 180 swift bricks, bat boxes, house martin cups and sparrow boxes.
Orchard Green
Work is not yet underway on this village which is set in 50 acres of open space will see 861 homes, a community centre, sports pitches and a new primary and secondary school. Buyers of these properties may be able to secure optional upgrades as their home is completed.
Canal Quarter
This development will sit at the heart of the Kingsbrook development and includes a canal basin and square, reflecting Aylesbury’s connection with the Grand Union Canal. It will also be home to a public transport hub.
Wigston Meadows
This development of three- and four-bedroom houses is 15 minutes from Leicester city centre and ten minutes from Wigston railway station. It includes allotments, sports pitches and 22 acres of open space. House prices range from £338,995 to £355,995 for a three-bedroom house to between £490,995 and £504,995 for four-bedroom homes.
This development gets five stars out of five from the HomeViews website, which bases its findings on the views of verified residents living in the relevant developer’s homes. 50% of residents taking part in the survey described their homes as excellent; 40% as very good; 10% as average.
Comments from people who have bought a David Wilson Homes property at Wigston Meadows include:
The house is built to a very high build quality and will be a great home to live in for many years to come.
Another customer said:
The quality of carpeting could have been improved. The boiler could have been of better quality. It is good but not the best one.
A third buyer commented:
We are noticing lots of issues ranging from bath plugs sticking and breaking, to the garden being of poor quality and flooding if we have the slightest bit of rain. The site (office) doesn’t seem very responsive or interested now.
Another said:
We are very happy with our house and the quality is very good. Fittings and fixtures are of very good quality.
Orchards Rise
Homes on this development near Swindon will be available soon and include two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses. Part of the Wichelstowe community, the neighbourhood will include 12km of nature trails, 200 acres of open space, and walks along the Wilts and Berks Canal. The site is three miles from Swindon railway station and is a ten-minute drive from Swindon town centre.
Woodlands Walk
This development near Doncaster comprises two, three- and four-bedroom homes and it gets a 100% score for excellence from residents. One verified resident said when reviewed:
The houses are beautiful – all have character and the estate has a homely feel and communication is always good with the site management team.
Your views about David Wilson Homes
Have you bought a David Wilson Homes property? Would you advise anyone on a home search to view one?
If so, we would love to know what you think about it. To share your views, please leave a message in the comments section below.
