I have build with Burbank. Have had two site inspectors. In my experience, it all comes down to having a good site inspector. Also it is always good to engage an independent inspector too.

Thinking of building with Burbank? I'd strongly advise against it. From our experience:
- Prepare for a very very lengthy build
- Being supplied with substandard work and products
- Burbank trying to pass off damaged products as acceptable.
- Burbank preferring to do poor patch-up work rather than proper acceptable fixes / replacements.
- Poor non-existent communication with the company

We paid our deposit in July 2014 with our land already titled. After a very lengthy administration period, with each revision/variation (no matter how minor) requiring at least 2-3 weeks to be approved by their office, we finally got the contract to sign just before Christmas in 2014. Commencement letter on a site requiring no major works (a levelled ready-to-build Stockland plot) was received at the end of March 2015.

In the meanwhile after hearing from friends about their build with Burbank taking nearly 2 years and they still not being finished repairing things, we got worried and got into contact to upper management to avoid the same 'team' (site supervisor and manager). Even after our request we got stuck with the same pairing and surprise surprise our build turned into a marathon nightmare we were trying to avoid.

First big troubles came at brickwork where the bricks and mortar were an absolute mess and not up to building standards (probably not even 3rd world standards). We were advised by our independent inspectors to request most of it pulled down and rebuilt. A meeting with the manager above the SS advised that it would be fixed (not specified as to how). It was patched up by refilling in the backsides of the bricks. Due to the big delay in starting and finishing bricks, windows got damaged likely in the months they were laying unprotected on the ground.

Fast-forward to one year into the contract, PCI was obviously hastily arranged to meet with the contracted construction time. Result being a home clearly not up to standards and not built as per the contract with new and acceptable quality products, trying to be passed off as finished by Burbank.

Our independent inspectors said the windows and window frames were of some of the WORSE he had ever seen on any house. And these are major independent inspectors with 20+ years experience in the industry. Pretty much all windows were badly scratched either on the frame or the actual glass.

We had have numerous times communicated to Burbank we purchased NEW products from them as per the contract, but Burbank have attempted to dodge any responsible and the answering of any questions. Opting instead for a poor sub-standard patch up job while trying to dodge their contract obligations. Plus going round our backs to contact the windows manufacturers telling not talk to us.

We have requested many times to our customer representative at Burbank to escalate our case, but we never get any communications from the anyone else at Burbank. We now left with needed to talk to our lawyer, Consumer Affairs Victoria, etc.

We are now 1 month over contract date, and 4 weeks after the so called PCI with no communication from Burbank. Very disappointed, and wish we never built with Burbank. We are now based on our experience strongly recommending family, friends, and people we talk to looking to build to avoid the same problems we had, and to not build with Burbank!!

The build is ok, but overpriced for the quality. The worst thing about them is the post-build warranty service. They require constant follow ups, I've been waiting to get a roof leak to get fixed for 1.5 months. There have been 3 attempts for an appointment and each was cancelled. I am still waiting for someone to contact me.
Do your research before committing to a builder.

Deposit paid Dec 2013, contracts signed in July 2014, excavations started Oct 2014, out of the ground Aug 2015, still going Feb 2016.

It will be over 2 years when we move in. Yes my block was difficult but if attention was paid at the start it shouldn't have been a problem.

Delay after delay after delay at the start, and weeks with only one or two trades on site.

Updates/emails from customer services officer started poor then got better but now towards the end its poor again. Extremely poor communication from supervisor, wont return calls, texts or emails. Wrong info about in update from customer relations officer.

About a weeks worth of work left and still no practical completion inspection signed off and no date of completion.Things that could have been completed 12 months ago and which I told them about 12 months ago are now holding up completion.

Would I build with Burbank or recommend them again, sorry but no.

I cant wait for it to be over, what should be an enjoyable experience has turned into disappointment after disappointment.

Days and days of no one on site, I know I could have built this house myself in a third of the time.

I will never recommend Burbank to anyone.

We don't recommend burbank at all. The pre sales process was pretty good n fast but the post sale process is pathetic. When you want to change things it's going to delay them but when they want to change it takes no time. We gave them all permissions in may and in september our land got registered but till date there is no slab put even. They are dead slow n you have to call them every other day if you want ur house
Built. Worst experience ever!!

Build quality ok and built quickly.

But plenty of room for improvement in customer service and support in the south-east of Melbourne.

The Edge Studio is only open weekdays so you have to take a day off and you are rushed into making selections when you are tired.

Furthermore, Burbank have an extremely inflexible and inconvenient hand over process, which involves you having to take a day off work and drive to their Altonia head office to settle and pick up the keys.

I don't know of any other builder that requires this, and its unreasonable, given they have an administration office in Dandenong.

They'll get the job done quickly, but not the most convenient builder for those building in the south-east of Melbourne.

The pre-sales process was wonderful. The sales was really helpful with my questions and needs.

They made some changes to my plan without telling me. I have to keep reading over the plan to make sure it's correct. I pointed out a few major mistakes they have made to my plan. They told me the plan is finalised and I have to pay $500 fee to make any changes to the plan. It took me a long time to settle this to avoid paying $500 to fix their mistake. They have also made mistake on my final house price, they want to charge me extra $8277! They try so many times pushing me on singing the build contract. I told them in the start that I want a normal contract instead of a fast contract. (Fast contract basically is singing a contract before finalising anything). Burbank contracted me to sign the contract again before I was booked for the colour selection. I have to tell them again I want a normal contract. Not long after my colour selection, they sent me the build contract and asked me to sign as soon as possible. Just one week after that, they told me that my facade doesn't match the developer's requirement. They send me a new facade and told to I have to pay $714 for it. I don't like the new facade they sent me and asked them to send me a few more options. They sent me one facade option each time and making this process every slow and painful.

My partner and I recently built with this company. We had put in our 3 month warranty and the small things were fixed over a couple of weeks. We have had numerous tradies out to look at different things that need fixing. They rock up when they want, or don't rock up at all. We have been on the phone to a lot of Burbank people to get our carpet and front door fixed. The carpet was laid with unsightly joins (5 of them from the front door to the back) and no one wants to know and its just like forgotten about. It also has heaps of very small nails they use around the edge of the carpet, sticking up. My partner and I have stepped on quite a few. Ouch, they hurt. We have had some knocked down, but there are so many. Our front door, we upgraded and bought one with the leadlight inserts. We had the door painted and they have overlapped the leadlight with the paint. We are trying to get this fixed, and we were told that they will come and scrape of the paint and retouch the lead with black paint. We did not pay for a touch up job. Our driveway cracked within a couple of weeks after moving in, and they tell us this is normal. It looks terrible. We had our hallway repainted, as the previous job was horrendous. I would highly recommend building with a smaller, independent builder even if it costs a little more. The headaches aren't worth it.

Recently moved in to my new Burbank home in Wyndham Vale. From the initial contact with sales rep Vince Cavarra at the Melbourne International Home Show, through to the final sign off and handover, I have had nothing but support and positive interaction with all at Burbank Homes. At every step of the way I was clear on who my Burbank contact person was, and how I could contact them. When I did make contact there was always a speedy reply and a courteous demeanour to go with it. I also had dealings with Pavel at National Pacific Finance (on the recommendation of Vince) and again found exemplary service. No question was too small or too silly for Pavel! There were many months of waiting and twiddling my thumbs - not through any fault of Burbank's, but the developer Sunland (Oliver Hume) who seemed to value developing more expensive sites over western suburbs estates! During this time there was a steady stream of contact just touching base and advising on where things were at with Burbank. My site supervisor (Danny) was wonderful! There were only a few small rectifications to be attended in the final few weeks, and he was instantly on the phone to the tradies to make sure things happened as they should. I am still within the 3 month warranty phase, but as yet have had no significant problems. I would anticipate further positive interactions with Burbank if/ when difficulties arise. Until then, I am just enjoying living in my own, brand new home :-)

Approximate cost: $200000

As a first home buyer, I spent a lot of time trying to find a suitable builder, and finally settled on Burbank because they seemed to offer good value for money and had quick build times. I'm so glad with my choice - the staff at Burbank have been an absolute joy; on-site, in the office and even in regards to interior decoration. The one downside was that there was high turnover of staff, which made it confusing at times to know who to contact, but I was always kept updated so it wasn't too much of a problem.