HOUSEBUILDER Persimmon has launched a review of its house snagging repair and customer care processes, it has announced.

The blue chip company said that it has commissioned Barrister Stephanie Barwise of Aktin Chambers to carry out an “independent review” of the business.

The review is expected to examine in detail “but is not limited to” areas including customer care approach, systems and culture, snagging and finish rectification processes, speed and consistency of response to issues, construction inspection regime and quality assurance processes.

It said it will also look at its advertising and marketing protocols and “alignment of governance and incentives in meeting customer outcomes”.

Roger Devlin, Persimmon chairman, said that the company “is committed to listening carefully and changing rapidly as we seek to improve our reputation among the key stakeholders in the business”.

“Our objective is clear: we must ensure that all our customers are provided with the care, service and high quality homes that they rightfully expect,”

Britain’s biggest housebuilder, Persimmon said last month said it would allow buyers to withhold payment over until fault claims are settled.

The review is expected to be completed and presented in the final quarter of 2019.

It is expected to consult with customers, suppliers, employees, trade bodies, local authorities and experts across the wider construction industry.

Persimmon said in March it would allow buyers to retain 1.5 per cent of the value of their home purchase until any snags are fixed.

Mr Devlin also said: “An independent review is an important exercise which will establish whether the many changes we are making are going far enough and fast enough for the benefit of both our customers and our wider stakeholders in the business.”