M3tricon or Porter Davis?

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 11:11 am

I'm new to this forum and I was just wondering out of M3tricon or Porter Davis, which one is a better builder?

I understand everyone will have their own opinions and everyone will have different experiences.

What is M3tricon 's turn around time in building? I think Porter Davis is 20 weeks but I can't find anything on their website.

Any comments/feedback would be great!

Cheers

JoBen · Apr 22, 2008 12:40 pm

Hi there,
welcome to HO!! it's the best thing we've found since we started this process.
we are building with PD i think if you download there procedure brochure the timelines are on there. it's 20 weeks for your standard single storey home.

we havn't had any dramas and everyone has been more that helpful.
we are starting in May.
I think every builder has good and bad. were anticipating ours will be good.

looking forward to chatting to you

Adrian B · Apr 22, 2008 12:53 pm

Depends on where you are. I think that if you are in Queensland, there are posts from people who have had issues with the big M more tht other builders, but in Vic, they 'seem' to have a good reputation. i built the Grandview with the big M and had a great build, great service and am really happy 18 months down the track.

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 1:08 pm

Thanks for the replies.
Haven't really found much information, but this forum seems to be very informative!

It seems like M3tricon & Porter Davis are getting bad feedbacks from a lot of people and there's little good news about each builder.

At this stage I'm leaning towards M3tricon and I have a sister who is going with Porter Davis. I hope your dream home all goes well! Which Porter Davis home are you building?

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 1:11 pm

I'm in Melbourne and yes, I have read up on some bad feedbacks from people in Queensland.

Glad all went well with your home. I too like the Grandview. How did you find Studio 501? What was the range like? Is M3tricon good with their inclusions and are they flexible when it comes to giving you a better deal?

Colleen · Apr 22, 2008 1:15 pm

I recommend calling VCAT and asking for the Domestic Building List. In the past you could ask the customer service staff there to search their lists to see how many complaints have been lodged against particular builders. The phone number is: 9628 9999

VJ · Apr 22, 2008 3:14 pm

Hi klemaire,

We dealt with both builders but ended up with M.
We kept coming back to M.
PD has very good customer service. Our experience with their sales consultant was excellent. AT that time, we chose the Hamilton 34.
But because our financial circumstances changed, we opted to build a double storey in order to maximise our block.
M has more double-storey houses that would fit nicely on our block and would address all the developer's guidelines (our block is in the corner, thus, needs to address turn-the-corner facade req'ts).

I know that PD builds faster than M (they even guarantee it!).
But M also builds fast if you're building their M1 and Collection Homes.
Also, it would depend if you do lots of changes to their standard plans.
Because we altered their standard plans, we have longer building period.
There are builders who are flexible to change plans, and based on our experience with M, they were quite accommodating (so long as you're willing to pay $$$ for that :lol:

).

Re: finishes, why not visit the Studio 501 and Hopetoun (not sure if it's open to the public now) so you would know which builder has the better standard inclusions/finishes and which items can be upgraded and for how much.

Good luck on your choice!

BTW, what house are you thinking of building?

First_Timer_Ray · Apr 22, 2008 3:29 pm

We are overall happy with Met(!con's quality.
We have had our fair share of issues - mostly with having to wait longer than they tell us at each stage. Eg. We had to wait 6 weeks for the bricks we chose. Brickie was then a week after they were delivered (after being told they would start straight away). They ordered the wrong sidelights for the front door, had to wait 4 weeks for the new ones, which held up finishing the bricks. Roof guard rails stayed up too long (approx 3 weeks too long) with no tiles on the roof in those spots and it rained after they had started the plaster, some plaster got wet (it looks ok, and we have SM's word that it will not have been affected but I want it in writing before handover that if there are any issues they will come and replace it). The floor tiles were delivered without laying instructions so tiling was delayed a week, and right now, we are waiting for the glass splashback in the kitchen that apparently was "never ordered"... We signed with M last Feb, so from start to now (almost finished) it has been 14+ months. Our site start was 7th Sept 07, so they are almost at the point of paying the penalty rate :roll:

for going overtime.

One sister has just finished building a property with PD and they had handover last week, and they didn't sign up until June (?) last year - so a lot quicker. I haven't seen their house yet so can't comment on their quality.

Ray.

rellie · Apr 22, 2008 6:48 pm

We built with PD, had no major dramas and I would build with them again without hesitation.

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 7:23 pm

Colleen

I recommend calling VCAT and asking for the Domestic Building List. In the past you could ask the customer service staff there to search their lists to see how many complaints have been lodged against particular builders. The phone number is: 9628 9999

Hi Colleen,

Thank you for your reply. I called the number and they weren't all that helpful. But they did say that a few complaints have been made about M3tricon and Porter Davis and they all vary.

I think to date M3tricon has 3 pending complaints in 2008.

Thanks so much again

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 7:31 pm

VJ

Hi klemaire,

We dealt with both builders but ended up with M.
We kept coming back to M.
PD has very good customer service. Our experience with their sales consultant was excellent. AT that time, we chose the Hamilton 34.
But because our financial circumstances changed, we opted to build a double storey in order to maximise our block.
M has more double-storey houses that would fit nicely on our block and would address all the developer's guidelines (our block is in the corner, thus, needs to address turn-the-corner facade req'ts).

I know that PD builds faster than M (they even guarantee it!).
But M also builds fast if you're building their M1 and Collection Homes.
Also, it would depend if you do lots of changes to their standard plans.
Because we altered their standard plans, we have longer building period.
There are builders who are flexible to change plans, and based on our experience with M, they were quite accommodating (so long as you're willing to pay $$$ for that :lol:

).

Re: finishes, why not visit the Studio 501 and Hopetoun (not sure if it's open to the public now) so you would know which builder has the better standard inclusions/finishes and which items can be upgraded and for how much.

Good luck on your choice!

BTW, what house are you thinking of building?

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. I've compared M3tricon's and Porter Davis inclusions and I think Porter Davis has a lot more to offer in terms of extras. When you walk into a display home, there are so many things that are not included that I've found! Everything is an extra, so it makes you wonder - 'What am I really getting'? It can be very overwhelming.

I'm really in love with the Mercer 35 - Californian facade. That would be my first choice followed by the Jasper, Grandview and Soho.

The Hamilton was one of my options from the Porter Davis range.

Thanks again!

klemaire · Apr 22, 2008 7:38 pm

First_Timer_Ray

We are overall happy with Met(!con's quality.
We have had our fair share of issues - mostly with having to wait longer than they tell us at each stage. Eg. We had to wait 6 weeks for the bricks we chose. Brickie was then a week after they were delivered (after being told they would start straight away). They ordered the wrong sidelights for the front door, had to wait 4 weeks for the new ones, which held up finishing the bricks. Roof guard rails stayed up too long (approx 3 weeks too long) with no tiles on the roof in those spots and it rained after they had started the plaster, some plaster got wet (it looks ok, and we have SM's word that it will not have been affected but I want it in writing before handover that if there are any issues they will come and replace it). The floor tiles were delivered without laying instructions so tiling was delayed a week, and right now, we are waiting for the glass splashback in the kitchen that apparently was "never ordered"... We signed with M last Feb, so from start to now (almost finished) it has been 14+ months. Our site start was 7th Sept 07, so they are almost at the point of paying the penalty rate :roll:

for going overtime.

One sister has just finished building a property with PD and they had handover last week, and they didn't sign up until June (?) last year - so a lot quicker. I haven't seen their house yet so can't comment on their quality.

Ray.

Hi Ray,

Thanks so much for the reply and I'm sorry to hear the troubles you've had with M3tricon. Wow, it's a long time to wait! Geez! Maybe that's why M3tricon doesn't have anything on their website regarding their completion date. But M3tricon in QLD has an 18 week completion date! Why not for Melbourne I wonder

Would you build with M3tricon again?

Cheers

ifyareckon · Apr 22, 2008 7:52 pm

klemaire

Thank you for your reply. I've compared M3tricon's and Porter Davis inclusions and I think Porter Davis has a lot more to offer in terms of extras. When you walk into a display home, there are so many things that are not included that I've found! Everything is an extra, so it makes you wonder - 'What am I really getting'? It can be very overwhelming.

Your best bet with PD is to get a sales consultant at the display to give a walk through of the house, and set you straight exactly with what the inclusions are etc.

kiwi056 · Apr 22, 2008 7:58 pm

Neither builder actually builds the houses; they use subcontractors for all stages of the build. In most cases the quality of the finished house comes down to how good the Site Supervisor is, and how pedantic you are during and after construction.

Use an independent inspector if you’re not experienced with the building process, it’ll probably be the best money you’ll ever spend. Remember this is your home, and is just another job to these guys.

Good Luck!

Eager · Apr 22, 2008 10:40 pm

kiwi056

Neither builder actually builds the houses; they use subcontractors for all stages of the build. In most cases the quality of the finished house comes down to how good the Site Supervisor is, and how pedantic you are during and after construction.

Exactly!

Quality of construction can mean two things though, klemaire, workmanship and the materials themselves. We considered PD but they don't build down this way. We are building with M, currently at frame completion stage, and have had no real quality issues. We assisted the Supervisor to measure the slab before we signed off on that stage, it was so close to millimetre perfect I couldn't believe it. Of course the frame now sits on it perfectly. By comparison, some people building with PD have reported problems with frames overhanging the slab by so much that remedial concreting had to be carried out. But that's either just the luck of the draw, or the subbies poor workmanship (I suspect the latter).

We've had nails sticking out of noggins just like PD builders do. This is really a non-issue. Noggins are there solely to keep the studs spaced evenly before the plaster goes on; they don't bear a load. There is no advantage in making sure every one of them is perfect, as long as they are intact and within the frame. Sure it pays to be pedantic with contract issues, for example our sliding door to the outdoor room was installed off-centre but an extra meeting with the supervisor got it sorted next day. We are in the fortunate position of being able to keep a close eye on proceedings which helps, but be careful not to nit-pick with whoever you choose.

It would be almost impossible to judge the workmanship that will be applied to your new home before construction unless you actually know the supervisor, and to a lesser extent, the actual subbies. There's nothing stopping you asking to meet the supervisors before you sign up though. Or, ask the sales rep who the supervisor will be and see if you can find out who else has used him.

As far as the actual materials go, ask both PD and M questions such as stud spacing, slab construction methods, whether they also bolt and rod brace the frames, genuine colorbond or painted aluminium gutters & fascias, compare window specifications if you get double glazed windows, how many coats of paint they put on the walls, the standard allowance for floor coverings etc. You might also be able to get a feel of the quality that each builder uses by asking each one how much it would cost to upgrade to the other builders products for things like tapware, doorknobs etc. If one of them says 'No extra' and the other says 'Extra' then that's a vote for the former; the second one obviously uses cheaper products to begin with. This depends on availability though.

Don't treat the 20 week construction period as the all-important factor. You're going to live there for how many years?

Remember also that if you bought a just completed house you would be totally oblivious to any construction issues. Being happy with the end product is what matters most. My sister-in-law built with PD in Tarneit and she is more than happy with her new home, we like it too, but I'm sure that we'll be more than happy with our M.

G'luck!

Adrian B · Apr 23, 2008 12:32 am

we were in in a 20 week build, the main delay was the glass splashback and the showerscreens.

As for Studio 501, I think you can go and do a tour of it on the weekends to get an idea f what its about. The best advise I can give you is sto do your homework. Some people have found the whole studio 501 daunting, I cannot see why. The hardest decision we had was what colot to paint the electrical meter box.

If you do have a look on the weekend, have a look at the bricks, anf then contact the suppliers (boral austral etc) tpo get delivery addresses of the bricks. The samples they had were slightly different to the displayed due to prodiuction and supply changes.

klemaire · Apr 23, 2008 9:10 am

kiwi056

Neither builder actually builds the houses; they use subcontractors for all stages of the build. In most cases the quality of the finished house comes down to how good the Site Supervisor is, and how pedantic you are during and after construction.

Use an independent inspector if you’re not experienced with the building process, it’ll probably be the best money you’ll ever spend. Remember this is your home, and is just another job to these guys.

Good Luck!

Hi there,

Thanks so much for the advice. Definately not experienced with the building process and I've heard a lot of people using an independent inspector. Can I also get my own Site Supervisor?

Thanks again!

klemaire · Apr 23, 2008 12:08 pm

Eager

kiwi056

Neither builder actually builds the houses; they use subcontractors for all stages of the build. In most cases the quality of the finished house comes down to how good the Site Supervisor is, and how pedantic you are during and after construction.

Exactly!

Quality of construction can mean two things though, klemaire, workmanship and the materials themselves. We considered PD but they don't build down this way. We are building with M, currently at frame completion stage, and have had no real quality issues. We assisted the Supervisor to measure the slab before we signed off on that stage, it was so close to millimetre perfect I couldn't believe it. Of course the frame now sits on it perfectly. By comparison, some people building with PD have reported problems with frames overhanging the slab by so much that remedial concreting had to be carried out. But that's either just the luck of the draw, or the subbies poor workmanship (I suspect the latter).

We've had nails sticking out of noggins just like PD builders do. This is really a non-issue. Noggins are there solely to keep the studs spaced evenly before the plaster goes on; they don't bear a load. There is no advantage in making sure every one of them is perfect, as long as they are intact and within the frame. Sure it pays to be pedantic with contract issues, for example our sliding door to the outdoor room was installed off-centre but an extra meeting with the supervisor got it sorted next day. We are in the fortunate position of being able to keep a close eye on proceedings which helps, but be careful not to nit-pick with whoever you choose.

It would be almost impossible to judge the workmanship that will be applied to your new home before construction unless you actually know the supervisor, and to a lesser extent, the actual subbies. There's nothing stopping you asking to meet the supervisors before you sign up though. Or, ask the sales rep who the supervisor will be and see if you can find out who else has used him.

As far as the actual materials go, ask both PD and M questions such as stud spacing, slab construction methods, whether they also bolt and rod brace the frames, genuine colorbond or painted aluminium gutters & fascias, compare window specifications if you get double glazed windows, how many coats of paint they put on the walls, the standard allowance for floor coverings etc. You might also be able to get a feel of the quality that each builder uses by asking each one how much it would cost to upgrade to the other builders products for things like tapware, doorknobs etc. If one of them says 'No extra' and the other says 'Extra' then that's a vote for the former; the second one obviously uses cheaper products to begin with. This depends on availability though.

Don't treat the 20 week construction period as the all-important factor. You're going to live there for how many years?

Remember also that if you bought a just completed house you would be totally oblivious to any construction issues. Being happy with the end product is what matters most. My sister-in-law built with PD in Tarneit and she is more than happy with her new home, we like it too, but I'm sure that we'll be more than happy with our M.

G'luck!

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your detailed feedback, I really do appreciate it. Good to hear something positive for once as everything is not going to run smoothly with building a new house!

From what everyone is saying, the Site Supervisor is the man that makes it all happen. Can we use an independent Site Supervisor, or do we need to use M3tricon's supervisor?

I hope everything turns out great with your dream home!

Thanks so much again...

Cheers :wink:

klemaire · Apr 23, 2008 12:29 pm

Adrian B

we were in in a 20 week build, the main delay was the glass splashback and the showerscreens.

As for Studio 501, I think you can go and do a tour of it on the weekends to get an idea f what its about. The best advise I can give you is sto do your homework. Some people have found the whole studio 501 daunting, I cannot see why. The hardest decision we had was what colot to paint the electrical meter box.

If you do have a look on the weekend, have a look at the bricks, anf then contact the suppliers (boral austral etc) tpo get delivery addresses of the bricks. The samples they had were slightly different to the displayed due to prodiuction and supply changes.

Hi Adrian,

Thank you for the reply. Does Studio 501 have a good range? I've looked at M3tricon's standard inclusions and on there it's got 'builders range 1' etc. How many options do you get?

Thanks again :wink:

First_Timer_Ray · Apr 23, 2008 12:51 pm

Klemarie,

We would definitely consider building with M again.
We are very happy with the quality of work done, and as has been mentioned, a lot of the time it just depends on who is assigned to the job on your house. Our only complaint is the amount of time they have taken, but I would rather them take a long time and get it right than to just rush through and tick another off their list.

The Site Supervisor or Site Manager is the person the builder appoints to look after your house. They make sure the ordering is done, check things are delivered, arrange for tradies, etc. It would be impossible to assign one yourself, unless you owner build.

My recommendation would be to visit Studio 501 (they run Sundays unless they have changed the times). They have everything on display and will tell you what is standard and what are upgrades. We were very impressed when we did the tour and found that a lot of the standard fittings and fixtures were adequate (tapware, basins, etc).

Also, like others have mentioned, have a list of inclusions and upgrades that you would want in your house and go to both and determine which is going to charge more (eg. glass splashback, colourbond roof, floor tiling, downlights, etc, etc).

Ray.