DNA Building

I have just completed a build (February 2020) with DNA Building Pty Ltd and I am extremely disappointed with their quality and customer service.



I would not recommend this builder under any circumstances.



This builder was directly responsible for considerable delays and substantial additional costs on top of the fixed price contract.



Below are examples of the poor service I received from DNA Building Pty Ltd.

1. My contracted six (6) month build ended up being a thirteen (13) month build - not including omissions and outstanding items.



2. It is now four (4) months after Practical Completion and there are still defects that have not been attended to;

a. The builder rejected the build defects initially.

b. The builder then begrudgingly returned to the site three (3) times, only to perform sub-standard repairs on the defects.

c. Consequently, there are still outstanding defects that the builder claims are within tolerance and standards.



3. At the end of the build (November) I was issued a twenty (20) day Extension claiming that ‘they were unable to conduct works on-site during May’;

a. This was a tactic to limit liquidated damages and increase their final payment.

b. If their claim was legitimate, why didn’t I receive the time extension claim in May rather than in November?

c. When I respectfully queried this time extension via email, I received profanity and abuse in a return email.



4. This builder is not to be trusted and consistently would say one thing and do another;

a. Up until final payment was received, they were happy to engage directly.

b. Once final payment was made, they refused to accept calls and communicate face to face.

c. They would only communicate via email and delayed rectifications, claiming the requests were not as per plans or contract or legitimate defects.



5. The Builder made construction errors to the roof-line and blamed the plans and draftsman;

a. I consulted the original draftsman and then a second draftsman to verify the accuracy of plans. Both draftsmen verified the accuracy.

b. The Builder then claimed a variation cost to rectify his errors which I reluctantly paid in order to progress the project.



6. I have been forced to bring in professional cleaners and painters, at considerable additional expense, to rectify the mess and defects left by this builder;

a. The carpets had red mud stains in several places.

b. The concrete driveway, patios and pathways, which cost in excess of $50,000 were left covered and now stained with red mud.

c. I had to pay another contractor $1,200 to paint the garage floors as they were so badly stained.

d. The external bricks were not acid washed or cleaned upon completion.



7. The builder demonstrated a lack of care;

a. New fencing, gates, gutters, door frames had scratches and dents following installation.

b. Floor and wall tiles were marked with glue, paint and silicon stains.



8. I paid over $4,500 for instant turf, only to find that approximately 15m2 was already dead when laid.



9. The front rendered fence received only one (1) top coat of paint and the white undercoat could be clearly seen in many places;

a. I raised this three (3) times with the builder and when he eventually came back, he simply touched up the fence rather than apply the second coat of paint as per contract.

b. After their 3rd attempt there are still white patches.



10. Near completion the Builder withheld the keys, demanding final payment, despite the fact that;

a. some fit-out items were missing

b. the façade works were incomplete

c. the telecommunications pit was exposed

d. external fencing was incomplete and

e. Items highlighted in the practical completion inspection were still outstanding.



The builder relied on the contract clause that states that the final payment must be made when the property can be reasonably occupied.



Needless to say I would never engage this builder again.