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Darbecca
- Verified customer
Darbecca truly is what it says..
We have chosen Darbecca for all stages of our first home build. We came across a lot of issues with our builder but we were in good hands of Darbecca which helped us in every possible manner. Most of our inspections were done by Robert who is a very knowledgeable inspector and wonderful person. Darren.. what should I say about him. He is gem of a person. Despite being owner of Darbecca and a busy man, he himself gives advise to the customers wherever required. I am such a fan of this company. Even the administration support is very courteous an...Read more
d doing a wonderful job and always remind the customers of their rights. I would always choose Darbecca for our next builds and definitely recommend it to all my friends. Waiting for our fixing and pci done from Darbecca..1 comment
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SIMPLY THE BEST
Please do yourself a favour and get Darbecca on board, make it the first thing you do when considering to build your future home. I can honestly say I have not taken the liberty to post reviews in the past. However after experiencing the first hand, priceless service from Darbecca over the entire duration of our building experience, really wanted to help others. There’s no hiding my OCD, anxiety and need for complete re-assurance lol. And when making such a valuable investment it really was at a high. Darbecca have been patient and understandin...Read more
g and answered many questions from when we were in only the pre – purchase stage of our build and then throughout the entire building process. This was our third build, and my only regret was I had only been referred to them for this build. Building a home is more then likely the largest financial investment you will make in your entire life. Unless you’re on top of the build with professional advice, sadly many important standards, regulations and requirements may be completely ignored. Do yourself a favour and budget for private inspections when putting together your new home build finances. The couch, tv and leisure items will always be there to purchase later. The structural integrity of your home however will be a much larger cost to have rectified. The piece of mind and having an independent inspector that works for you in my opinion is a no brainer. I give my highest recommendations to this very professional and knowledge business. Many thanks Nathan and Renee1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Nathan and Renee,
Thank you for your review of what we do. I was personally overwhelmed by your comments. I took the weekend to think about how I could respond to such comments. All I can say is... Read more
"thank you". You have validated exactly the core values of what we try and achieve, and our commitment to helping.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
KimSouthwest, VIC
- 2 reviews
Very thorough
Money well spent! The inspector found issues with my build that I never would have noticed. I wish I got them to inspect the ealier stages of my house as well.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Kim,
Thank you for for your review. When you build again, hopefully we can assist with all stages. All the best and thank you for trusting us with looking after the Final inspection.... Read more
Darren and the Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
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They always have their eye on the ball
We just completed building our house with the assistance of Darbeca inspectors. Their professionalism & attention to detail helped in having our builder up their game and in the end we got a neatly built house. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants peace of mind during the building process.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Nelson,
Thank you for your honest review. The trust you place in us is never taken for granted. Detail is the key. From all of the team we hope you fully enjoy your house that is now a home. ... Read more
Darren and the Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
rh1n0Greater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
- 2 reviews
- 2 likes
Their services have been a big eye-opener
Couldn't be happier that we decided to go ahead with Darbecca's services, in particular our inspector for every stage was Dale J. - absolutely fantastic with his helpful findings, professional reports, and advice + empathy during the process we endured from the builders.
While I don't think I can go through the motions of building a house again any time soon, I'll definitely be utilising the services again should the opportunity present itself!
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear rh1n0, Thank you for your kind words. The whole team at Darbecca have read this review. We thank you as it inspires us each and every time to try harder and to keep improving. Dale J is a champio... Read more
n. His work ethic is second to none. He, like me, inspires to ensure that the homeowner has a place that they really want to call home. We all wish you well and hope that your house has turned into your place of retreat and one that you can fully enjoy.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Exceptional Help and Professionalism
Building our large, double storey home (Sept 2019-Mar 2020) was made in to a seamless, stress free experience by Darbecca. The admin team were always prompt and efficient in their housekeeping matters but the outstanding performer was Dale (whom I recommend clients should request by name). He was with us for each inspection (except the 1st) and was always open to our questions, was understanding, extremely thorough and punctual. He is very apt in his field and his knowledge base of the guidelines and standards are above expected. He took our su...Read more
ggestions/queries, advised if they were within regulation or not, and included them in his report to help action them with the builder. Using specialised equipment to check inaccessible areas provided a high standard of checks. Highly recommend Dale.1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Shannon,
Wow... Dale and the Admin team always go the extra mile. I'm personally very lucky to have such a great team around me. Thank you for your comments. All of the Darbecca team thrive on helping our customers. Comments like these spur us on. ... Read more
Thank you once again. Darren Love and the Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Would recommend
We are currently building a home in Melbourne and have used Darbecca for inspections at the various stages of construction. We have been happy with the prompt, clear and comprehensive nature of the reports which have highlighted a relatively large number of defects - most of which we would not have identified ourselves. For the most part these have been relatively minor and have been corrected by our builder (to their credit)- but the process has given us piece of mind and also opened our eyes to how many defects could have accumulated over the...Read more
course of the build and potentially given us problems later on if left unchecked. I’d like to especially mention Dale; who went above and beyond recently and kindly offered to utilise his own infrared camera as a complementary service, when I mentioned my concern about the installation of our wall/ceiling insulation.1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Tim,
Thank you for taking the time to give a review of our service. It is my goal to ensure that we are diligent and accurate in our process. Reviews like yours keep us all going and when they are truthful, inspires us to work harder.... Read more
Thank You Darren Love and the Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
YannSouth East Queensland, QLD
- 3 reviews
- Verified customer
Thorough inspectors who won't let you down
We used Darbecca to perform inspections for a project home built in Brisbane in 2019.
The reports from Greg were meticulous. He identified a large number of defects that I would have never noticed and could have become serious issues.
Each defect from the report specifies the standard / code that is in violation.
In our situation, the builder initially fixed some of them. However, as the builder noticed that the following reports were as thorough as the previous ones (and previously unresolved defects were re-added), he decided to ban Darbec...Read more
ca from the site. While such an act goes against the law - there was no reasonable ground - , we reluctantly chose a different private inspector. This was frustrating for us. We knew we were being bullied by the builder but couldn't afford the risk of putting our build on hold and go to court. Greg went above and beyond to help us during this stressful time and greatly appreciated the professionalism and integrity of Darbecca.1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Yann, Some people should never be allowed to build. The laws are difficult to uphold when bullies like your builder get a licence. Thank you for your review and I hope that the experience with yo... Read more
ur builder does not impact on your enjoyment of the home. Darren Love and the Darbecca team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Could not recommend highly enough!
We are building our first home in Ballarat and would recommend any home builders utilise their services. They are extremely thorough and quick to reply to any communications. They are also excellent when it comes to dealing with builders and site supervisors.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Matt,
Firstly thank you for trusting us with your home. It is a task that we all take personally. I appreciate you taking the time to tell others of your experience. It keeps us going. Darren Love and the Darbecca team.
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Anton N.Greater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
Best Quality Assurance and Advice
I got the reference from my property developer Brown Properties. From the first inspection to the last, Dale Jamieson did a wonderful job advising every item in detail. So far I have recommended Darbecca to 3 of my friends. Dale is always on time, sends out the report promptly on the same day, answered every question professionally.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Anton,
Thank you for your comments. They mean a lot to not only Dale, but all of us at Darbecca. Comments like these keep us all striving to assist each and every person that we come into contact with. ... Read more
Dale is a very committed person. His attention to detail is a benefit to all of our home owners. Your comments on him are true. Like all of the team, he has a high commitment to helping and assisting everybody he comes into contact with. Once again thank you. Darren Love and the whole Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Naomi and SonGreater Melbourne (Metropolitan), VIC
An absolute must!
I was advised to go with Darbecca from family, and we are so glad that we did! Darbecca were very helpful, professional and prompt from the get go... no question was too silly, nor was anything to much trouble for them. The independent inspector that we got was lovely, showed us around the house, what to look for etc.. their reports were detailed and heaps of items were picked up for our builders to review! It was very re-assuring to have Darbecca inspect our build... definitely worth it! Would recommend to all. Friendly, professional service and happy to help whatever the query! Thank you Darbecca.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Naomi,
Thank you for your review of our service. I keep saying the same thing. Thank you because this is what keeps us striving to do better. Your comments assist other to make an informed decision a... Read more
s to who to trust with such a large investment and commitment. We love turning houses into homes!Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Darbecca. Absolute Life savers who are a must through the building process!!
Am in the process of building my first home and contacted darbecca for an urgent frame inspection. Within 1 day inspection was complete and I had received a thorough in depth report.
Service was absolutely outstanding from office staff to my inspector himself. Darbecca epitomise professionalism and true care for their customers and I would not hesitate to use them again. They are an absolute credit to the building industry.
Thank you so much Darbecca and to anyone building I highly recommend using this service.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Athaaa,
Thank you for your review of our services. It pleases me greatly that after 15 years of helping clients, the Darbecca team remain focused and dedicated to helping you. We all remain focused o... Read more
n ensuring that you come first and foremost in all that we do. Thank you for trusting us and I look forward to seeing you house turned into a home.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
CasslexGreater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
- 6 reviews
- 3 likes
- Verified customer
Worth every cent
Thank you, thank you, thank you Darbecca. As first home owners and knowing very little about buildings house, you have saved us so much worry! Thank you to Carl and Paul who conducted our inspections and provided the assistance when we weren’t sure about some items. The customer service team have been great and very friendly. We originally only wanted 3 inspections but ended up doing all (6) inspections as it was so very worth our money. For the peace of mind and safe home.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Casslex,
Thank you for your trust in what we do. At our core our responsibility is to you the home owner. To ensure that you have a home, not a house. Thank you for the review. It keeps us striving ... Read more
to do better each time we read comments like yours. Thank you again and we wish you all the best.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
WayneMelbourne
- 6 reviews
- 2 likes
Carl is amazing!
Carl is one of the staff there and he does the extra mile on his job. recommended to use him and the company Darbecca. I used this company and everything was going smooth and my property is built without any problem
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Wayne,
Thank you for your comments. Carl is amazing. The team as a whole all get in behind our clients and help them through the build. Thank you again for your comments. It keeps us all striving to support our clients.... Read more
Darren and the Darbecca team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
AntoinetteGreater Melbourne (Metropolitan), VIC
Great company
We were referred by a friend who have also used Darbecca after hearing about our endless building issues.
They were fantastic right from the beginning and I would hate to think what the builders would have gotten away with if we didn't use them.
Thank you so much Darbecca I will definitely be recommending your services.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Antoinette,
Thank you for your trust in Darbecca and the team. Your comments help us all to continue to focus on going the extra mile. You are correct in your comments. Builder do focus when we are on board. ... Read more
Thank you again. Darren and the Darbecca Team.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
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GM!Greater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
- 3 reviews
- 1 like
Fantastic experience
Fantastic experience from the office staff all the way to Carl our inspector will continue to recommend to anyone who is building very professional and always explained any problems in detail
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
GM!,
Thank you for your review. It is indeed very pleasing when a review of our service is place online for all to see. Everybody at Darbecca is committed to ensuring that the builder delivers a Home... Read more
, not just a house. Carl is very diligent and has a very professional approach to each and every home. The team in the office are second to none. I'm so please with their continued efforts to help each person though the taunting process of building a home. Once again, thank you for taking the time to tell others of your experience.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
Trusting the build of my first home thank you very much Darbecca.
We would just like to say a big thank you to the Team at Darbecca.
With the early signs of a horror build, Darbecca were the key to ensuring my house was built correctly and to standard.
I recommend to all my friends, don't ever build a house with out Darbecca.
Thanks again Darbecca.
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Maralyn,
Thank you for your review. It makes us all happy when we see that we made a difference. The whole of the Darbecca team are fully committed to ensuring that you get a home that is a home... Read more
, not a house. There is a big difference. A place that is well built and will last the test of time. We all thank you again for your review.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
jefferymelbourne
- 4 reviews
- 9 likes
Awful and misleading
Had a darbecca report to deal with as a carpenter. The items they picked and the tone they used was a joke. An owner will get a report with 30 odd items not realising every one is rubbish. Because i do high quality they ended up highlighting superflous or technically incorrect items. Some even nothing to do with the building eg there is non structural timber on site, please get rid of it. Or pack out a wall for ply, even though they well know it would be done at lock up stage. At times they quote the building code incorrectly. Such as saying a ...Read more
180 wall needs frame ties every stud when its only at junctions or wall ends. For something like 1 shear block missing in the entire house (a relatively minor defect as it was partially load bearing wall) they write: It was noted shear blocks (using a plural even though it was 1 spot) are missing throughout the house. The owner sees a report of 30 items and says thank god. Cant beleive people pay money for it. Would go with jims building inspections or new home instead4 comments
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Jeffery.
Comments like this validate why every home owner needs a professional service like Darbecca. Your ignorance is the reason why Darbecca exists. This is what we are up against daily. All ... Read more
I have a problem with the code being quoted incorrectly or used for superfluous issues. Eg asking for all junctions to be shot off to cope with racking forces on the house when your inspector should k... Read more
now a lock up carpenter will do that. Another great example was him picking a chemical anchor missing, when in fact another section of ply brace was obscuring his view and he forgot to check it in the other room or just assumed it wasn't there. You can't argue with my examples so instead you attack my quality. I have worked with plenty of private inspectors some of whom are very scrutinious. And am regularly praised for my high quality of work and understanding of as 1684. From what I have gathered your inpectors aren't even qualified. My works do comply with code, but mistakes are always made. Thats why private inspectors are a great thing. However I've never seen a report with so many inaccurcies ladened with obfuscating jargonDarren L.Darbecca
Once again, your ability to highlight your complete ignorance of the Minimums set down in the Standards is the main reason why we exist. The connections of the blocking is stated in AS 1684.2, part 6.... Read more
2.1.3. It is mandated. It is there to stop the house from moving during high wind events. What you are saying is we should allow the lock up carpenter to install these nails is not to the Standard and is your personal view. If you have a view that is different to the Australian Standard, place a submission with the Australian Standards Board outlining your science, and lets see what they change in the MANDATED rules to suit your opinion. As a matter of interest to all those that read this, what is holding the house up in a strong wind event after about 8 tons of roof tiles are installed if the walls below it are not nailed together as per your opinion. Jeffery, you are the reason why Darbecca exist. Houses have fallen over because of this and most quality Surveyors are picking this item on Frames regardless of your personal view.Similar opinion? Write a review on ProductReview.com.au!
SvdlGreater Melbourne (Outer), VIC
- 3 reviews
- 14 likes
Every build needs a darbecca report!!!
Hi
So far we have had 3 reports done by darbecca, on the second report we met with Dale from Darbecca on site and he was execellent, he knew so much about everything and picked up on a lot that should of been picked up on. Our builder had their own inspector who passed everything and once you see all the photo and the things that are wrong that to someone who isn’t in the industry I was shocked at how they passed every stage.
Once things were brought up in the report we did our own research into every item and some were very serious which our...Read more
1 comment
Darren L.Darbecca
Svdl,
Thank you for your honest review. Dale and the rest of the Darbecca team are fully committed to ensuring that you get a home that is a home. A place that is well built and will last the test of time. I thank you again for your review.... Read more
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Ajay KumarCentral Highlands and Goldfields, VIC
- 2 reviews
- 3 likes
Misleading information and wrong reports
Hi
The thing is why we people hire them for safety and security of our assets and trust them that they will do the just to the money you are paying them but they don't
Misleading information and changes everytime after they meet building managers
I have done my report from them and the things got discussed was not mentioned in the report
So I got another report after the property handed over to me after making several requests.
...Read more
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Questions & Answers
Anna Dasked
Hi
I have been advised that as Darbecca are not registered building surveyors if something ends up in VCAT it gets thrown out due to the fact your not registered surveryors. Can you advise if this is correct.?
Thanks Anna
2 answers
Hi Anna,
When you receive the report from down the bottom it says if your needing it for vcat they can format it for vcat, and if you have a lawyer and real things wrong with your house it won’t get thrown out. As I’m aware they are inspectors. But for example you could get me to do your inspection and I could tell you things that are wrong and not intolerances with your house and if you took what I said to vcat the fact that your house isn’t up to standard is what the case will be on not who said what. It’s on facts you could even do your own research into what to look for and not pay anyone. But from my experience it was great hiring someone else who worked with us to understand what was wrong how things are wrong and what is acceptable and what’s not. And unfortunately me and my husband don’t have all the knowledge to look at every trades work to pick up on things but getting the report done. Showed us what we would never have noticed until it would break or we would have problem. But they wouldn’t throw your case out. If your building I’d say use them and maybe call vcat and ask but as I’m aware I can bring in their photos or mine or both and show facts.
Hope that helps
Darren L.Darbecca
Dear Anna,
This is a complex response. Please take the time to read through all parts.
1.Registered inspectors are only responsible for structural defects as per The Building Act Vic (Law) which is administered by the Victorian Building Authority. Even then they do miss items.
2. Darbecca will not only look at structural items, they then look at all the other items that builders must do, however are not the responsibility of the Registered Inspector. These items generally come under the Domestic Building Contracts Act (Law) which is administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria Government.
3.Given that Darbecca cross over both Acts which are the responsibility of two different Victorian Government Agencies, No registration has ever been agreed to by either Agency.
4. The builder must fix all defects brought to their attention, both Structural and Cosmetic. It is in the Domestic Building Contracts Act (Law). It is also in most Building Contracts.
5. Darbecca would welcome these two agencies (Vic Building Authority and Consumer Affairs) getting together and finding a class of registration, then two things would occur.
Firstly the quality of the inspectors would be set at a industry level that would demonstrate some level of competence. Currently anybody can put out a shingle and state that they are qualified.
Secondly the builders would not be able to put fear doubt and uncertainty into the home owners mind by stating that the inspector is not registered. A tactics often used by many a Site Supervisor.
6. It is worth noting that there is no registration for Site Managers/Supervisors, Construction Managers or Building Managers. The only person in a building company that must be registered in the person at the top. The builder. In big companies, I would be very surprised if they went to every site and checked on the quality if at all.
7. Finally, a little known fact is that the Home Owner is the one held accountable under Law for the quality of the build and the Compliance with all regulations. Not the Builder or the Registered Surveyor and or his Registered Inspectors..
The Law is very clear that the home owner who may or may not have any understanding of the rules carries this burden. Hence why we do what we do. As an example, if you lived in your home for a couple of years, then there was an issue that the local council discovered, the Council would put orders on the home owner to fix. Then it becomes a legal battle between the home owner and the builder/Surveyor as to who is going to pay. However in the mean time, the home owner carries the burden in all matters.
The only reason why a Darbecca report are not VCAT compliant right at the start is they take more work to produce up front and most builders would fix the defects that Darbecca bring to their attention. However if the builders refuses, Darbecca have been to VCAT on many occasions and delivered expert evidence regardless of any Registration. The report is then converted to the VCAT format in compliance with PN2.
Note: In other states where the State Government has registration for processes like what Darbecca does, Darbecca holds those licenses.
I hope this helps.
Darren Love and the Darbecca Team.
Alamasked
I want to engage Darbecca for my new house construction but after reading the above review I am now confused whether to go ahead or not, please suggest any other building inspector
5 answers
Darren L.Darbecca
Alam,
We have been chasing a client for payment. He has threatened to use social media if we did not let payment go so that he got the report for free. The matter is now with our lawyers and the police for attempted blackmail.
I ask you to read all of the other reviews that are from customers that are good as they are true.
Darren
Hi Alam,
I would recommend you use darrbecca for your inspections, we haven’t had a problem and have honestly been a blessing to have them. And we only used them because a friend of yours used them and highly recommended them. And if your unsure maybe get your first inspection done with them and if you don’t like or whatever change. But we honestly couldn’t fault them. Hope that helps
Hi Alam
I recommend you Fangs Building Inspections, they are very through, spend around 2 hours on inspections, compare to drive through inspection provide by these dispute building inspection companies. They are very good, very affordable, very qualified inspectors, etc
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Darren L.Darbecca
Wow Nisha, what can we say. Thank you. Comments like this keep the whole team going. Thank you . I am so lucky to have such a great team of people around me. More so I' so lucky to have such great peo... Read more
ple to assist. Your trust in us to look after your home is not to be taken for granted. The whole team knows that this is your house. A place that we must always respect. Thank you once again. Darren Love and the whole Darbecca Team.