The family firm, which dates back to 1935, has earned the rating following a rigorous, externally verified customer satisfaction survey backed by industry body Homes for Scotland.

The survey is designed to provide buyers with information that will help guide their purchasing decision, as well as encouraging excellent levels of service. Star ratings last for one year and are ultimately based around one key question, ‘Would you recommend your builder to a friend?’

The firm was rated on the entire client journey, from the service provided by the sales team through to the handover process and after-sales service provided by the firm’s dedicated customer care manager. Buyers are also asked to rate their builder on the provision of storage, design, layout and ‘kerb appeal’ of their new home. 

John Stephen, managing director, said: “With our commitment to achieving quality craftsmanship and outstanding service with every home we build, it is fantastic to see this endorsement from our customers. We are proud to retain such a high accolade by the leading industry body and are very grateful to every Stephen customer who submitted feedback.”

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “The survey results show that the industry is increasingly delivering very high levels of customer service. Achieving such high levels of customer satisfaction underlines the commitment of house builders to drive improvements through their businesses that deliver positive customer outcomes. With the imminent introduction of a new industry Consumer Code and a New Homes Ombudsman service, the industry is wholly focussed on making the further necessary changes to ensure it complies with the new demanding requirements. These should see further improvements in customer satisfaction levels moving forward and provide new build buyers with even more confidence in their builder and new home.

“To achieve a 5-star rating whereby over 90% of a builder’s customers would recommend them to a friend demonstrates the commitment of the company to its customers and is a significant achievement.”

Stephen is currently building across Scotland, with developments in Perthshire, Grampian and Inverness-shire.