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Reviews

4.2

69 reviews
5
(50)
4
(5)
3
(2)
2
(2)
1
(10)
  • Customer Service
    4.3 (6)
  • Job Satisfaction
    4.4 (7)
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  • Verified customer

Highly recommend Patrick Kerr from Darbecca - Thorough, efficient and friendly

published

I would highly recommend the services of Darbecca’s Patrick Kerr to inspect all stages of building a new home. We have now used his services twice.



He is accurate, professional, detailed and know the building regulations inside out. As I was also happened to be at the property, Patrick walked me through after he had finished to explain what I would be seeing in his report. He was thorough, explaining his finding and the level of risk if not corrected. His reports were very informative with lots of useful photographs.

Thanks very much for your services Patrick. We will be recommending you to anybody we know needing an inspection.

VictoriaYeoman

VictoriaYeomanGreater Melbourne (Outer), VIC

  • 5 reviews
  • 10 likes
  • Verified customer

Can’t thank Darbecca enough!

published

Amazing customer service, the office staff are so pleasant to deal with. Our inspector Darren is a lifesaver. If it weren’t for him our house would have literally fallen down. He was able to assist us in getting our brickworks redone because the builder didnt follow building standards. Thank you very much Darbecca!



1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
su dev

su devsydney

  • 4 reviews

Worst Customer Service to Start With

published

Wanted to know what will be the cost for 4 inspections for house. The admin lady cant even provide me the price, instead she emails me with the discounted price and if you choose more than 3 inspections. Zero customer service, sounds like they are having enough business. Do not fall on these people's sales Gimmick.



2 comments
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
su dev
su dev

And what does this mean? Did You even try to solve this matter? Or you are trying to show the readers that you guys care your bad reviews?

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  • Verified customer

I highly recommend Darbecca to everyone

published

We are so happy with Darbecca. From the first time we got in touch with them to get a quote, to all the way when our house was built, they delivered everything they promised us. They responded to every question in a timely manner. Every person we dealt with was courteous and clarified every detail we were unsure of. Their reports were very informative, and the inspectors had very good attention to detail. Everything they did was on point! Their emails, notes, reports, everything! I can't fault them.

This was our first time building a house and the staff in Darbecca were the only people that didn't give us a headache.

I highly recommend Darbecca to anyone building a home.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Josh Cherry

Josh CherryClyde, Victoria

  • 2 reviews
  • 1 like
  • Verified customer

Extremely Thorough and Professional

published

Can't express how happy we are with our private building inspections from Darbecca. They are extremely thorough and great to deal with. All appointments were a breeze to book and the reports were all received on the same day. We had a close friend who is a building inspector interstate review the reports and he was extremely impressed with the quality and depth of the reports Darbecca produce. Our Site Supervisor was aware of this also, so I think it kept him on his toes!

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Tara Fox

Tara FoxDiggers Rest

Waste of Money and Time

published

I have used Darecca service for my new build house and they picked up some errors from builder and my builders engineer drawings, after month of delay in my project I used a private structural engineer to look into the report and site issues, I was informed that the report has many technical errors and incorrect judgement, do not waste your time and money, ask a qualified surveyor or a registered engineer who has basic industry knowledge.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

When you hold an engineer accountable, it is amazing how they try to get Darbecca Back. This is not a real review. It has been reported however the web site admin like a bit of angst to keep people reading the reviews.

The Darbecca team

kathy

kathyCentral Highlands and Goldfields, VIC

  • 36 reviews
  • 5 likes

Was impressed

published

I was going to use darbecca, but my builder got them first, and I couldn't have them due to conflict I received the report from my builder, there very professional they found many problems with my new house I have hired someone else and there great as well, but thank you Darbecca for been thorough I just wished I got you first but I have another inspector that I will be using through my whole build his the best.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
NCEW

NCEWGreater Melbourne (Metropolitan), VIC

  • 2 reviews
  • 3 likes
  • Verified customer

Put Darbecca on the top of your list

published
1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Laurie K

Laurie KMelbourne

  • 2 reviews
  • 2 likes
  • Verified customer

Money well spent with Darbecca

published
1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

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Emerson

EmersonWollert

  • Verified customer

Thorough reports

published

Well documented and thorough inspections, easy to understand and backed by relevant guidelines - however what the builder chooses to do about them is probably more relevant.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

Whitney

WhitneyMelbourne

  • Verified customer

If you’re building, you would be stupid not to have Darbecca

published

We built with a volume builder and engaged with Darbecca from the very beginning. Not only did they pick up on massive structure errors but the support throughout our build was reassuring.
We would highly recommend Darbecca, each consultant that visited our build were highly knowledgeable and took the time to explain what we should expect/tolerate.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

  • Verified customer

Essential service

published

Darbecca provides an excellent and professional service, giving us detailed report and photos to submit to our builder for rectification along the stages of our new house. Thank you.

2 comments
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

.

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

Dduva

DduvaVictoria, 3228

  • 3 reviews
  • 3 likes
  • Verified customer

Well worth every cent for peace of mind and attention to detail!

published

Cannot speak highly enough of how much Darbecca assisted us during our very stressful and difficult build. Our inspector Paul was amazing and picked up so many things we couldn't see ourselves or didn't know about. The fact that the reports link to building code and guidelines is really helpful. If you are building we would thoroughly recommend getting the team on board.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

Ron Bryan

Ron BryanCaboolture South

Brilliant Inspection by 2 Very professional Inspectors.

published

Thank you very much Darren & Greg for a very professional inspection & Report. Our building supervisor has commented to us on the report & they are ripping through with the defects & minor alterations. We have highly recommended your Company to our friends who are building in our complex & they also want peace of mind that they have been given a good build.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Bob M

Bob M

  • 2 reviews

It was worth the peace of mind

published

We originally went with Dennis homes because they had a reputation for quality. Having said this, not being builders, we also had a nagging concern over whether we were getting a top quality house. Darbecca were highly recommended and we are so glad that we engaged them. Brett and the team were professional, prompt and above all, very reassuring. They picked up numerous errors that the builder then set about rectifying. We particularly liked the way the Darbecca inspectors spoke to us in plain, simple English so that we could easily follow the building process. They provided detailed written reports within 24 hours of each inspection. For peace of mind and to ensure that you are getting a quality build, go with Darbecca.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
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Sean

SeanGreater Melbourne (Outer), VIC

  • 2 reviews
  • Verified customer

Darbecca is a must

published

We hesitated to spend money to hire a private inspector as our builder is well known as a premium builder. However we decided to hire for just a peace of mind.

We engaged with Darbecca as our private inspector as recommended by most of my insta followers.

It was such a good decision to go with Darbecca because they were punctual, thorough and very professional.

My SS told me that he doesn’t like Darbecca as they’re too picky, which is totally ok to us. Yes all Darbecca inspectors were strict and professional.

We are not sure of choosing same builder in the future but we will engage with Darbecca if we build our second house for sure.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
  • Verified customer

Excellent

published

If got Darren or Rod as inspectors your in luck!
Very friendly and professional from the staff that would organise your inspections to the actual inspectors. If you manage to get Rod L or Darren L as inspectors your in luck. Because they are extremely good at what they do. Great eye for detail and the report provided is comprehensive, easy to read and backs up all recommendations with actual policies. Only downer if you get a diff inspector other than Darren or Rod, they are just not as good.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

  • Verified customer

Very well exicuite

published

Very professional,helpful and very honest. Inspected the entire house thoroughly without any problems and would get Darbecca again if I were to build again.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

Katie

Katie

  • 3 reviews

New build

published

We found Darbecca to be very accommodating, staff were friendly & always prompt with replies to any correspondence. Inspection appointments were made promptly & the detailed reports were great. The inspector took the time at every inspection to go over main issues & talk me through solutions. Have recommended to others who are building.

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca
Jonas

JonasMelbourne

  • Verified customer

Worth

published

Friendly and efficient admin staff
Reliable inspectors and does work for the benefit if the customers
Easy booking system, prompt response through email

1 comment
Darbecca
Darren L.Darbecca

Review collected in partnership with Darbecca

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Questions & Answers

Anna D

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
Svdl
Svdl

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

Darbecca
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.

Alam

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

4 answers
Darbecca
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

Svdl
Svdl

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

mukesh g.
mukesh g.

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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