Dbcp Reviews 

I found all the staff I dealt with very helpful and friendly. They explained some of the terms to me told me what I needed to do and gave me tips on how and when to submit them.
The two inspectors we saw were thorough and explained why some things had to be done and again very pleasant and reasonable. Thanks DBCP

Unfortunately had to deal with DBCP and it was nothing but trouble. They were happy to threaten with letters despite regular communication and when said was going to make a complaint they used the 'well then I won't be able to give you any discount'. Simeon was useless and came across as a cowboy. I'd avoid if you can.

Whenever working with DBCP it is the most frustrating experiences possible in the construction industry. As a council-approved building inspectors practice, you’d expect some level of professionalism and technical competence — but DBCP consistently fails to meet even the most basic expectations.

Their inspectors demonstrate an alarming lack of understanding when it comes to foundations. Instead of assessing sites on a case-by-case basis, they resort to blanket recommendations — such as demanding raft foundations across wide areas of Chesterfield due to coal mining where they simply aren't needed. This lazy, catch-all approach suggests either incompetence or an unwillingness to properly engage with site-specific conditions. Either way, it’s builders and homeowners who foot the bill for their poor judgment.

The organisation itself feels incredibly insular. It’s hard to ignore the incestuous nature of the practice — with an entire family working across various roles, which raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and internal scrutiny. When a workplace starts to resemble a family business more than a professional public service, you have to wonder who’s really checking the checkers.

Even worse, it’s an open secret within the local industry that several DBCP employees are running side businesses — offering plans, calculations, and private consulting work for cash. This presents clear conflicts of interest and calls into question the integrity of their decision-making processes.

In summary, DBCP is disorganised, unprofessional, and fundamentally unfit for purpose. Their practices reflect poorly on the idea of building control as a helpful or competent service. If you have any alternative, take it. DBCP should be avoided unless you have no other choice.