Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 27, 2016 9:18 pm Hi all.. Been reading everyone's posts on here recently so I'm feeling really excited to share our own journey. We're building our family home in Brisbane with Metricon. Our block of land is really narrow with only an 11m frontage. That didn't give us many options for the house design.
We decided to go with Metricon because of their flexibility in design, was able to accommodate what we wanted and also based on some good reviews from friends who recently built with them. This is what we've done so far: Land purchase contract signed - 21/4/16 Land settlement - 23/5/16 Initial deposit to M - 14/5/16 Preliminary contract signed - 16/7/16 HIA and final contract plus 5% deposit paid - 6/8/16 Council approval lodged - 17/8/16 Electrical appointment - 29/8/16 Studio M and tile selections - 30/8/16 Council approval obtained - 30/8/16 Final variation signed - 21/9/16 Site start - 28/10/16 Cut & fill, trenching, concrete bored piers - 28/10/16 Pre-slab plumbing, electrical - 31/10/16 Formwork and waffle pods - 1/11/16 Slab pour - 2/11/16 Frames up - 7/11/16 Gutters and fascia - 10/11/16 Roof tiling - 15/11/16 Windows and front door in - 24/11/16 Wall and ceiling insulation - 5/12/16 Ceiling and wall plaster - 7/12/16 Bricks commence - 8/12/16 Portico - 12/12/16 Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 2Aug 27, 2016 9:36 pm The house we're building is a modified version of the Metro 32, although it's a 34 now after the extensions we're doing. We've chosen the Vogue facade. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The major structural changes we've made to the original design were: Rear extension to ground floor to include rumpus Increasing outdoor room Adding a guest bedroom (Bed 5) downstairs Adding shower to powder room downstairs Side extension to Kitchen and butler's pantry Master bedroom to rear (for easy access to the kids rooms at night) Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 3Aug 27, 2016 9:50 pm We're still unsure about our alfresco sliding doors at the moment. Would love to have corner stacker doors (that open up at the corner) but we were told its gonna cost around $7-8k for the additional support beams needed to be put in so we can't really justify it. We're also thinking of putting in a larger window to the front of the house because that's the only window that gives us a decent view of the outside. We were told by our CSC that we could do all those at studio M next week. Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 4Aug 27, 2016 10:47 pm Love the plan and changes you've made. Corner less Windows would be grand especially after increasing outdoor size, would've love that upgrade myself but had to be moved to Wishlist Oh a window would definitely be nice would be great to see what Windows you'll select. They do have a lot of Window options @ studio m, so you'll have lots of fun. I Cant wait for your selections Following your thread Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 5Aug 28, 2016 9:06 am Thanks Emmz. We have electricals tomorrow, then tiles and studio M on Tuesday. We were told the Tuesday could take 7-8 hours. We have a baby and a toddler that will have to come along with us. It's going to be difficult Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 6Aug 28, 2016 9:47 am Good luck with your build! Why has things taken so long from the land contract signing to Council approval lodgement? I paid a preliminary deposit a month ago and are still waiting for my contracts and I'm wondering why it's taking so long and is this what it's going to be like going forward? Just waiting? I'm impatient lol its like I'm waiting for Xmas and counting down the days. I constantly dream about my house and want things to move along quicker 😊 Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 7Aug 28, 2016 10:35 am beac_faith Thanks Emmz. We have electricals tomorrow, then tiles and studio M on Tuesday. We were told the Tuesday could take 7-8 hours. We have a baby and a toddler that will have to come along with us. It's going to be difficult Good luck for all your appointments next week Beac. In Blackburn Melbourne they have a children's play area and food is supplied. I hope Brisbane is the same Length of time is really up to the individual. Our electrical was probably about 3-4 hours. Our studio m was about 6-7 hours and we had 2 food breaks Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 8Aug 28, 2016 3:28 pm Lodzau Good luck with your build! Why has things taken so long from the land contract signing to Council approval lodgement? I paid a preliminary deposit a month ago and are still waiting for my contracts and I'm wondering why it's taking so long and is this what it's going to be like going forward? Just waiting? I'm impatient lol its like I'm waiting for Xmas and counting down the days. I constantly dream about my house and want things to move along quicker 😊 After we purchased the land we started looking around at different builders. I think only after the final contract is signed the building approval application is lodged with council. Not sure what's the norm as this is only the first time we're building a house. I suppose the builder has to be sure that the client is definitely going to proceed before lodgement? My sales consultant was telling us there were some who decide to walk out after preliminary contract is signed. Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 9Aug 30, 2016 10:13 pm Very relieved that we've gotten our selection appointments done with! Had our electricals yesterday and the total damage was $10559 including a security system for the house. Fan with lights to all bedrooms. We also managed to get downlights for the entire house after being told there wasn't much difference in price from the ceiling lights. Our LEDs are mainly warm white but I've opted for cool white in task areas like kitchen, pantry, powder and laundry. Since it's an open plan living and the kitchen is just beside the living and dining I was worried it would be confusing to be using different light colours but the man at Stratus said it would be all right. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 10Aug 30, 2016 10:26 pm beac_faith Very relieved that we've gotten our selection appointments done with! Had our electricals yesterday and the total damage was $10559 including a security system for the house. Fan with lights to all bedrooms. We also managed to get downlights for the entire house after being told there wasn't much difference in price from the ceiling lights. Our LEDs are mainly warm white but I've opted for cool white in task areas like kitchen, pantry, powder and laundry. Since it's an open plan living and the kitchen is just beside the living and dining I was worried it would be confusing to be using different light colours but the man at Stratus said it would be all right. Wow you did well what a bargain with the amount of things selected Can't wait to see your choices Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 11Aug 30, 2016 10:29 pm These are some of our selections at the appointment: LEDlux in brushed chrome Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ceiling fan with light in brushed aluminium to all bedrooms Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Pendant lights in concrete/glass X 3 to kitchen island (these pendant lights were my must-haves ) Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ External wall light at one pier on the front of the house Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 12Aug 30, 2016 10:43 pm Emmz70 beac_faith Very relieved that we've gotten our selection appointments done with! Had our electricals yesterday and the total damage was $10559 including a security system for the house. Fan with lights to all bedrooms. We also managed to get downlights for the entire house after being told there wasn't much difference in price from the ceiling lights. Our LEDs are mainly warm white but I've opted for cool white in task areas like kitchen, pantry, powder and laundry. Since it's an open plan living and the kitchen is just beside the living and dining I was worried it would be confusing to be using different light colours but the man at Stratus said it would be all right. Wow you did well what a bargain with the amount of things selected Can't wait to see your choices Thanks Emmz! Yeah was quite happy with the price although I had to compromise on certain things like deleting the pendant at the entrance and the step lights to the staircase. As you can see the husband has a thing for silver coloured items... We were told they cost a bit more than the white coloured version. Those ceiling fans with lights were like $400+ each which was a bit of a shock to us Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 13Aug 30, 2016 10:48 pm Yes they were too expensive for us we opted to do ours handover but ended up getting d/l with M and just pre-installed fan wiring and added a lot of outdoor junction boxes to install later. At least you won't need to do any of it it later Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 14Aug 31, 2016 2:27 pm Yeah, we were also considering the option of installing the wiring only but then we were thinking there's so much more we're going to have to DIY post handover and we won't really have the time for everything. And fan is something we really need everyday. Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 15Aug 31, 2016 2:51 pm We had our tile and studio M selections yesterday and had quite a bit of fun, although having to deal with an episode of toddler meltdown but that was pretty much expected. I'm going to share about our tiles first. Main flooring (entry, living, dining, kitchen, butler's pantry, rumpus, laundry) is majestic limestone 600 X 600 mm. It's one of the affordable porcelain tiles that was within our budget It's sort of an ivory colour with subtle streaks of darker tones Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Wet area floors and walls (powder, WC, bath, ensuite) is Portifino Shell Shine 400 X 400mm. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite shower feature wall we've chosen Woodline Vintage Brown 200 X 900mm Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Powder room shower feature wall and bath tiles we've chosen Simplicity Mocha Natural 300 X 600mm. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen splash back in long skinny tiles 65 X 400mm, although these will only go at the sides since we're having a window splash back Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Total damage done at tile studio was $5360. Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 16Aug 31, 2016 3:25 pm These were some pictures that gave us the inspiration for the rectangular timber tiles for the ensuite feature wall and bath tub. The ensuite feature wall that we have also has a recess so hopefully that will turn out great Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 17Aug 31, 2016 3:50 pm Nice selections! The browns will add a bit of warmth to the home. Looking forward to seeing things progress. Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 18Aug 31, 2016 4:04 pm Yes, I forgot to mention when our CSC met us at studio M yesterday she delivered some awesome news. Our council approval is obtained!! I was very worried initially because when we lodged we only had 1 neighbour's signature for boundary relaxation. The other neighbour refused to sign for us. That gave us quite a bit of stress. Absolutely can't wait to get the ball rolling now Our new family home Metricon Metro 32 QLD 20Aug 31, 2016 4:44 pm These are our Studio M selections We stuck to pretty much everything in the standard inclusion for the exterior Roof in elabana profile in barramundi colour. These bricks we've chosen are Freedom but we're now changing them to a darker brown. Thinking PGH Breaking Dawn or Eclipse. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Gutter, fascia, down pipes, window frames and garage door in monument. Eaves in surfmist. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There's a pier to our facade we're thinking of rendering in Dulux Columbia Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Corinthian Infinity front door with slumped waterfall glazing. Our stain will be Walnut and matching frames Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen colour scheme. Caesarstone in creme brule. Hazelnut for overheads and pumice for bottom cabinets and kickboard. Top tile is for splash back to sides of window. Bottom tile is floor tile for colour comparison. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Keen to hear from people in the area who have got KDRB done on whom they got the build from? Looking for recommendations. Thanks 0 21119 Hi everyone, Newbie renovator here, after some advice for combining our family room in the picture and the alfresco and make a larger family room. There is a flush sill… 0 4995 Hi all. Anyone know when the $11,000 limit was set in legislation for renovations in QLD? Ive been renovating for 5 years now and this was the limit back then. As we know,… 0 4416 |