My experience with @d3nbr00k

SouthBris · Jan 21, 2008 10:00 pm

I just thought I'd write a post as a bit of a warning and to share my experience with our building.

We are about to start construction with our house so hopefully it all goes well from here but so far my wife and I have had some bad experiences with our builder.

I just wanted to advise people that @d3nbr00k have recently become a franchise which means that the service/price/experience all depends on the GREED of the franchisee. We have had a few problems with our contract due to us trusting the word of the consultants. I know that is stupid of us but we were expecting a company that rides on a great reputation to do the right thing.

I would recommend that anyone who intends to deal with them to be VERY VERY careful as to wording. We had an upgrade promised to us and was included on the contract but there was no model number for the item so they came back to us with a cheaper model. We were told that even though we were promised the item they wouldn't honour it because our franchisee wasn't "financial" enough to give us the $300 item.

We took this to the top of the company and their response was basically that these are teething problems with their new company setup.

I just think that their "teething problems" can really ruin what is meant to be a great experience.

I hope other people can atleast know that they could end up with a builder who would rather make $10 than have a happy customer. It seems that every last cent counts even in the face of a $250,000 contract.

I am not a bitter customer... I just don't want other people to have their experience ruined by greed.

slugger · Jan 22, 2008 6:30 am

Hi Southbris

Can i ask who the franchise is with? Is it the Coomera office (Bond) or an office in brisbane? We too had many issues up front with failed promises and them going back on their word and not honouring written quotes. To their credit they did compensate somewhat by throwing a couple of things in but still. Apart from that they have been good with the build and our supervisor is a good guy.

Just want to see who you are dealing with??

GriffBNE · Jan 22, 2008 8:37 am

Hi,

I too am building with Adenbrook... and I believe it is the same franchise that I'm dealing with. I can understand your frustrations, and obviously your situation has taken a couple of bad turns, but I think as long as you stay on top of them, they're pretty good. I've had contact with a customer service officer every business day since early December, if I need anything done, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Its the same as any building company, they're there to make money. We're nearly starting construction now, and have found Adenbrook to be nothing but professional and helpful.

I hope you guys can get everything sorted out and have a finished product that you're happy with. As you said, it should be a happy experience... Don't let the smaller things worry you too much.

SouthBris · Jan 22, 2008 8:18 pm

We are dealing with the Underwood (South Brisbane) office. We are just soooo disappointed that our friends who recommended Adenbrook to us had such a good experience and they looked at our contract and couldn't believe some of the things that we were charged for, most were things that they got for free (things like getting charged extra for using the same tiles on the floor as the wall in the bathrooms).

The funny thing is that I manage a franchise store and I can't believe their attitude. I really think there will be alot of post on these forums and soon I'm sure we will see them on a current affair program if these franchisees keep trying to squeeze people for every last dollar.

blackmax · Jan 23, 2008 7:10 pm

The problem with these forums regarding building a new house is that not many people know about them.
I stumbled onto this site a month or so ago, but I wish I found it 12 months ago.
I think these forums will become very beneficial to those looking at building a house. And the fact that certain builders are threatening legal action over forums / blogs is a clear sign that they will have to pick their game up to keep the new customers coming in....

Let's be honest, builders have traditionally been as nice as pie up until you sign a contract, then the level of service starts to wain. These sites are a godsend as a way to advise others about their house building experience - good or bad....

blackmax · Jan 23, 2008 7:12 pm

The problem with these forums regarding building a new house is that not many people know about them.
I stumbled onto this site a month or so ago, but I wish I found it 12 months ago.
I think these forums will become very beneficial to those looking at building a house. And the fact that certain builders are threatening legal action over forums / blogs is a clear sign that they will have to pick their game up to keep the new customers coming in....

Let's be honest, builders have traditionally been as nice as pie up until you sign a contract, then the level of service starts to wain. These sites are a godsend as a way to advise others about their house building experience - good or bad....