New Home Construction - Building Inspection: Darbecca Vs "New Home Inspection"

LSval on 18/05/2023 - 18:31

Hello all,

I have been following and using Ozbargain for several years, and this is my first posting.

I am building in Ballarat, VIC and looking for some advice on Building Inspections. I have done a final handover inspection in the past but haven't done it at every stage.

I wanted to check with the Ozbargain community if you have really benefitted by using inspections at every stage, as it costs about $3500.

When searching in all posts I found Darbecca and "New Home Inspection" are the most commonly used.

  1. Do you suggest getting the inspection done at every stage or just on the final, as the surveyor inspects the pre-pour/slab and frame?

  2. Suggestions to go with Darbecca or "New Home Inspection" or any other?

Thank you!

Poll Options expired

  • 1
    Correct Inspections
  • 7
    Darbecca
  • 1
    JIMS
  • 1
    New Home Inspection
  • 2
    other
Home & Garden

Comments

  • deveshwar0 on 18/05/2023 - 18:51
    +2

    Yes, definitely get them done if you plan on keeping the property.
    I went with New Home Inspections as there was a considerable difference in price at the time which I'm told is not the case anymore.
    My recent recommendation to a friend was to go with Darbecca for this reason.
    Their reputation is such that just mentioning to the builder that you've engaged them makes a big difference on how the tradies perform even before the inspection.
    Get them at pre-pouring of the slab, pre-plaster (they can check the frame at this time too), waterproofing, and final handover.

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 19:57

      Thanks deveshwar0.

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 19:59

      Thanks, I think I saw this guy's videos.

  • Benoffie on 18/05/2023 - 19:45
    +1

    Not in Vic so cant recommend but you should have the pre pour, pour, frame, last fix and lock up all done.

    It is horrible trying to fix a mistake afterwards and builders are champions at evasion.

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 20:01

      Thanks @Benoffie for your suggestion. I am thinking the same. Is it better to spend that money than regret later.

  • Haydos90 on 18/05/2023 - 20:55
    +2

    We paid about $3k for inspections at every stage with Darbecca when we built nearly 5 years ago, definitely money well spent.

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 21:05

      Thanks for your feedback.

  • Iwantthebestprice on 18/05/2023 - 21:07
    +2

    Yes! The defects and issues they find will save you the money in the long run. My mate is getting a new build and they found defects one which was major so if he didn’t do this you bet he would be thinking “oh shit I wish I got a building inspector”… don’t be that guy!

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 21:19

      Thanks @Iwantthebestprice. I was thinking of jutting getting the final inspection before. But, with all the comments above I am inclined to get all the stages now.

      • Iwantthebestprice on 18/05/2023 - 21:33

        Yeah agree, I don’t know if he got all stages like others are saying, if I recall correctly he maybe had 3 inspections done in total (I’m not sure how many stages there are in a new build). But I do know it was on the last one which was post lockup I think or something similar where the major issue was found. I agree that $3K each is a massive amount of cash and I would be hesitant but if it’s your forever home I think it’s money we’ll spent..

        • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 22:17

          Normally they do 5-stage inspections. Although each one will call them with slightly variant wording- Slab/pre-pour, Frame, Preplaster/lockup, Waterproofing/fixing, and Final. Its costs around 3.5K.
          This will be a forever home so I am thinking to get all stages done, but wanted to get some insights into people who did all stages got value out of them. From the comments, it looks like they did.

  • Tily on 18/05/2023 - 21:35
    +1

    Darbecca is highly recommended by many in our current estate. We have decided to go with them as well for our new build and have a few others building with our builder who are using them as well.

    It was a no brainer for us to go for the full set of inspections for about $3.5k. For the amount of money we are spending on the build, I feel that it is a small addition to make sure everything is done correctly.

    Do take note your builder may add some additional time to ur build if you are using a private inspector. Ours have added an extra 30days.

    • Sval on 18/05/2023 - 22:20

      Thanks for the note @Tily, didn't realise they add extra days.

  • RowieRowbott on 22/05/2023 - 16:04

    I would say 100% yes for inspections at every stage of your new build.

    We live in Perth so can't comment on Darbecca vs New Home… however, we chose to go all in on our inspections due to the many horror stories going on around Perth building sites at the moment, especially with the brick laying (Perth is mostly double brick homes).

    The standard of builds has been declining sharply due to lack of trades and rushed timelines. With so many builders struggling there was a good chance corners were going to get cut…. and they did.

    Our building inspections guy in Perth found a bunch of issues with the brickwork, it was incredibly bad. Certain sections needed to be knocked down which would have been hell if it was only identified once the roof framing went on.

    Better to know early if there are any issues, so they can be rectified before the next stage.

  • lostgoat on 22/05/2023 - 16:07

    Watch a Youtube clip and you can be an expert inspecting yourself.
    No one can see all the BS happenings that no Inspection will pick up even by the best .

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