Metricon Vantage 46 - Studio M Upgrades

jeeves84 · Oct 28, 2018 10:25 am

Hi All

I am in the process of looking to build a new home. The Metricon Vantage 46 (Designer Series) is the house we interested in building.

I have obtained a quote, and it currently sits in the budget and we still have some remaining money to spend on further upgrades at Studio M.

I have already upgraded a few things to the base quote to give me somewhat a more accurate indication of price, but I can already rattle off a heap of things that will needed to be upgraded at Studio M.

I will break down my quote below, then i will also add my other wish list of upgrades that I am wanting.

Vantage 46 Base Price - $435k

Upgrades Already Quoted
- $45k - Mode Facade
- $18k - Site Works
- $7.5K - 2700mm Ceiling to Ground
- $2.5k - 2550mm ceiling to first
- $1.5k - Enclosing Media and Study
- $2.5k - Upgrade windows to 2400mm
- $2k - Upgrade stackers
- $8k - Upgrade to staircase
- $2.5k - Upgrade Kitchen Appliances
- $7k - Tiling to main floor (builders range)
- $3.5k - Floor to Ceiling tiling allowance to bathrooms
- $8.5k - Gold standard carpet
- $10k - Electrical Allowance
-$ 9k - Driveway and Patio Slab

Quote is coming at approx $570k.

However at the moment, Metricon are running a promotion to include Free Ducted Air Con as well as a 50K voucher to use at Studio M.

Things which I know I will spend the 50k would be:

To be upgraded list
- Square set to living areas and bathrooms (this will be a big one)
- Wall hung vanities to bathrooms
- Wall set tapware (been told this doesnt cost extra however)
- Upgraded tapwear
- Wall hung toilets with concealed cistern
- 2 x Freestanding Baths
- Upgrading tiles
- Upgrading windows potentially
- Stone upgrades (no doubt the colour i like will be a different category)
- Adding bench, cabinetry and overheads to laundry
- Laminex Upgrades (no doubt the colour won't be standard)
- Kitchen upgrades to include majority of pot drawers with bevel finger pulls (no handles)
- Island bench to have shadowline and possibly be bigger
- Further upgrading staircase (cause i dont really know what i am getting)
- Upgrading entry door and handle
- Rebate stacker doors to slab
- Fans to bedrooms and outdoor room

That seems most of the things that i can think of at the moment.

I guess the question is, how much over the 50k allowance would i be looking at if i was to upgrade that entire list? I know it is basically how long is a piece of string scenario, but a rough idea would help me so much. I just don't want to go into a contract naive about studio m upgrade costs. if it going to tip us too much over the budget, then we might have to look at another builder.

With the 50k studio m allowance, my total upgrades come to $165k on a vantage 46. Has anyone built a similar size house and can remember how much they spend only on upgrades?

Hope this makes sense!

Thanks

dulie · Oct 28, 2018 6:34 pm

We built the Hampshire which is quite similar is size, and some similar upgrades. We spent roughly $100k at Studio M, this didn't include any structural changes, main tiles, carpets, driveway etc.

jeeves84 · Oct 28, 2018 7:43 pm

dulie

We built the Hampshire which is quite similar is size, and some similar upgrades. We spent roughly $100k at Studio M, this didn't include any structural changes, main tiles, carpets, driveway etc.

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask you what the 100k was spent on? Was it mainly kitchen?

dulie · Oct 29, 2018 1:22 pm

jeeves84

dulie

We built the Hampshire which is quite similar is size, and some similar upgrades. We spent roughly $100k at Studio M, this didn't include any structural changes, main tiles, carpets, driveway etc.

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask you what the 100k was spent on? Was it mainly kitchen?

Just basic stuff around the entire house. Here's a rough list of the top of the head.

Taller doors, better stackers and windows, frame-less showers, frame-less mirrors, caesarstone throughout, better taps, better basins, better sinks, floor to ceiling tiles in wet areas (this was expensive with nice tiles), over head cupboards in kitchen, draws in kitchen and bathrooms, better entry door, better stairs, floating vanities, better handles in kitchen, better cooktop and concealed rangehood,

We also did lots of cabinetry and full laundry fit out post hand over, which isn't included in that either. Doing everything with M would have taken that $100k easily above $200k.

jeeves84 · Oct 30, 2018 7:46 pm

dulie

jeeves84

dulie

We built the Hampshire which is quite similar is size, and some similar upgrades. We spent roughly $100k at Studio M, this didn't include any structural changes, main tiles, carpets, driveway etc.

Thanks for the reply. Can I ask you what the 100k was spent on? Was it mainly kitchen?

Just basic stuff around the entire house. Here's a rough list of the top of the head.

Taller doors, better stackers and windows, frame-less showers, frame-less mirrors, caesarstone throughout, better taps, better basins, better sinks, floor to ceiling tiles in wet areas (this was expensive with nice tiles), over head cupboards in kitchen, draws in kitchen and bathrooms, better entry door, better stairs, floating vanities, better handles in kitchen, better cooktop and concealed rangehood,

We also did lots of cabinetry and full laundry fit out post hand over, which isn't included in that either. Doing everything with M would have taken that $100k easily above $200k.

wow!!!! never would have thought these items would equal 100k alone.... Project builder is starting to cost as much as a custom builder!

kirashogun · Oct 30, 2018 11:50 pm

Project builder makes all the profits on “upgrades”. Custom builder gives you a realistic price instead of bate price. End of the day project builder likely to be cheaper.

dulie · Oct 31, 2018 11:31 am

kirashogun

Project builder makes all the profits on “upgrades”. Custom builder gives you a realistic price instead of bate price. End of the day project builder likely to be cheaper.

Agreed! It really depends on the level of luxury you're expecting. Next time round, I think i'll be going with a custom builder.

Ace Squirly · Nov 19, 2018 7:22 pm

Hello, I'd be very interested in anything to do with Windows as we are looking the Hampshire 45. We are going with aluminium windows and my concern is that Metricon use Southern Star Aluminium and their reputation is terrible. Any feedback please??

alexp79 · Nov 19, 2018 7:46 pm

Why would anyone expect project builder be any cheaper than custom builder (for the similar quality/size house)?

They pay market rates to their trades, but also have to pay for their offices, demo houses, sales people etc. and yet have to make their margins from somewhere. They have some discounts on the materials, but they won't be substantial, for sure. And yet it looks like they are making 50% margins on their upgrades too.

Macher · Dec 30, 2018 11:04 pm

alexp79

Why would anyone expect project builder be any cheaper than custom builder (for the similar quality/size house)?

They pay market rates to their trades, but also have to pay for their offices, demo houses, sales people etc. and yet have to make their margins from somewhere. They have some discounts on the materials, but they won't be substantial, for sure. And yet it looks like they are making 50% margins on their upgrades too.

Well a project builder will not have to spend much on drafting and engineering as they are duplicating the same style house. They build so many more houses a year so they attract more trades as they can offer constant stream of work. Trades might expect higher rates from custom builders as these are one off. There is no building permit cost and surveyor and this is included in the price. However expect to have a big upgrade on site cost.
I have been shopping around and the house I'm getting from my volume builder bases on size and finishes will cost $200k more with a customer builder. Yes I have traded in a custom home for a standard build and design but I think it's worth the 200k back.in my pocket.

mattyc · Jun 15, 2020 12:19 am

jeeves84

Hi All

I am in the process of looking to build a new home. The Metricon Vantage 46 (Designer Series) is the house we interested in building.

I have obtained a quote, and it currently sits in the budget and we still have some remaining money to spend on further upgrades at Studio M.

I have already upgraded a few things to the base quote to give me somewhat a more accurate indication of price, but I can already rattle off a heap of things that will needed to be upgraded at Studio M.

I will break down my quote below, then i will also add my other wish list of upgrades that I am wanting.

Vantage 46 Base Price - $435k

Upgrades Already Quoted
- $45k - Mode Facade
- $18k - Site Works
- $7.5K - 2700mm Ceiling to Ground
- $2.5k - 2550mm ceiling to first
- $1.5k - Enclosing Media and Study
- $2.5k - Upgrade windows to 2400mm
- $2k - Upgrade stackers
- $8k - Upgrade to staircase
- $2.5k - Upgrade Kitchen Appliances
- $7k - Tiling to main floor (builders range)
- $3.5k - Floor to Ceiling tiling allowance to bathrooms
- $8.5k - Gold standard carpet
- $10k - Electrical Allowance
-$ 9k - Driveway and Patio Slab

Quote is coming at approx $570k.

However at the moment, Metricon are running a promotion to include Free Ducted Air Con as well as a 50K voucher to use at Studio M.

Things which I know I will spend the 50k would be:

To be upgraded list
- Square set to living areas and bathrooms (this will be a big one)
- Wall hung vanities to bathrooms
- Wall set tapware (been told this doesnt cost extra however)
- Upgraded tapwear
- Wall hung toilets with concealed cistern
- 2 x Freestanding Baths
- Upgrading tiles
- Upgrading windows potentially
- Stone upgrades (no doubt the colour i like will be a different category)
- Adding bench, cabinetry and overheads to laundry
- Laminex Upgrades (no doubt the colour won't be standard)
- Kitchen upgrades to include majority of pot drawers with bevel finger pulls (no handles)
- Island bench to have shadowline and possibly be bigger
- Further upgrading staircase (cause i dont really know what i am getting)
- Upgrading entry door and handle
- Rebate stacker doors to slab
- Fans to bedrooms and outdoor room

That seems most of the things that i can think of at the moment.

I guess the question is, how much over the 50k allowance would i be looking at if i was to upgrade that entire list? I know it is basically how long is a piece of string scenario, but a rough idea would help me so much. I just don't want to go into a contract naive about studio m upgrade costs. if it going to tip us too much over the budget, then we might have to look at another builder.

With the 50k studio m allowance, my total upgrades come to $165k on a vantage 46. Has anyone built a similar size house and can remember how much they spend only on upgrades?

Hope this makes sense!

Thanks

I'm just wondering how you went with your build? what was your total in the end?

We are trying to choose between the Balmaine from the designer series, or going with something similar from the freedom series, and using the money we save by choosing the freedom range to pour into upgrades.

r_13 · Jun 15, 2020 2:42 pm

mattyc

I'm just wondering how you went with your build? what was your total in the end?

We are trying to choose between the Balmaine from the designer series, or going with something similar from the freedom series, and using the money we save by choosing the freedom range to pour into upgrades.

Hi mattyc

We switched after deposit from a Designer Vantage 48 to a Freedom Merricks 42 purely based on preferring the floorplan layout, and then we upgraded everything in that Freedom house to suit what we would have got in the Designer. In upgrading a Freedom range house to similar quality as a Designer range house we easily covered up the base price difference.

So, if the aim is Designer quality then there's not a lot of savings to "pour into upgrades" by starting from Freedom, in our experience.

Cheers, r_13

almiro · Aug 08, 2020 8:07 pm

I'm also building the Vantage and have my M studio appointment end of Aug. I can let you know some costs I've already got:

Toilet with concealed cistern - around 1750.00
Square set cornice is done by lineal meter approximately $32 per L/M (Vantage downstairs only about $3K)
about 10K for the staircase if you want a glass balustrade.

I ended up with the S series package which I was told equated to about $50K..

Scott2233 · Aug 21, 2020 9:57 pm

almiro

I'm also building the Vantage and have my M studio appointment end of Aug. I can let you know some costs I've already got:

Toilet with concealed cistern - around 1750.00
Square set cornice is done by lineal meter approximately $32 per L/M (Vantage downstairs only about $3K)
about 10K for the staircase if you want a glass balustrade.

I ended up with the S series package which I was told equated to about $50K..

Hi Almiro

All the best to your building journey !

Interesting to browse your blog , your hydroponic heating seems much cheaper than Metricon quote us (29K for 2 boiler /15 radiators) , do you mind share how much boiler / radiators you got ?

Thx

almiro · Aug 22, 2020 8:07 pm

Hi Scott,

The cost for Hydronic heating I believe depends on the size of the house you're building. Since I'm only building a 38 sq.. the cost is lower. I have my studio appointment on Monday and will find out more. Suffice to say that I know there are 2 towel rails and at least 12 radiators. I originally had a quote on the 48sq Vantage and that came to $21.6K, with 2 boilers.. but have since downsized the house.. I've had hydronic in the past and typically each radiator adds about $1K and the cost of an additional boiler is about $2K.

Cheers,

Rob

Scott2233 · Aug 23, 2020 12:13 pm

almiro

Hi Scott,

The cost for Hydronic heating I believe depends on the size of the house you're building. Since I'm only building a 38 sq.. the cost is lower. I have my studio appointment on Monday and will find out more. Suffice to say that I know there are 2 towel rails and at least 12 radiators. I originally had a quote on the 48sq Vantage and that came to $21.6K, with 2 boilers.. but have since downsized the house.. I've had hydronic in the past and typically each radiator adds about $1K and the cost of an additional boiler is about $2K.

Cheers,

Rob

Hi Rob

Thanks very much for the info

Fyi my 29K quote is for :
2 * High Efficiency Boilers:
14 * Bosch (Buderus) Radiator Panels:
4 * Heated Towel Rails

so , 2 more radiators + 2 more TR than yours , but the cost almost triple which does not make sense to me ........

Anyway , All the best with your appointment on Monday , looking forward to hear back from you

Cheers
Scott

timthetoolman44 · Aug 27, 2020 11:01 am

Macher

alexp79

Why would anyone expect project builder be any cheaper than custom builder (for the similar quality/size house)?

They pay market rates to their trades, but also have to pay for their offices, demo houses, sales people etc. and yet have to make their margins from somewhere. They have some discounts on the materials, but they won't be substantial, for sure. And yet it looks like they are making 50% margins on their upgrades too.

Well a project builder will not have to spend much on drafting and engineering as they are duplicating the same style house. They build so many more houses a year so they attract more trades as they can offer constant stream of work. Trades might expect higher rates from custom builders as these are one off. There is no building permit cost and surveyor and this is included in the price. However expect to have a big upgrade on site cost.
I have been shopping around and the house I'm getting from my volume builder bases on size and finishes will cost $200k more with a customer builder. Yes I have traded in a custom home for a standard build and design but I think it's worth the 200k back.in my pocket.

Your point on the trades sort of is half accurate. You realise what rates the volume builders pay for their trades and have you ever been on a site to see the level or quality of the trades they're using? Let's just say it's not very good.
I think you will find with the onset of registration of trades coming in to the Victorian building industry the volume builders will be fighting this tooth and nail.