Hey everyone… not a first-time home buyer here, but I have a Mattamy Homes community opening up in my area. I’m looking for tips and advice on upgrading one. My budget is about $40K, but I’ve heard stories about how they way overcharge for certain things. For those of you who are under contract or have recently bought in the last year, what was your experience with the Design Studio? I’m curious about pricing for things like countertops, cabinetry, and flooring. Also, little things like plumbing, extra GFCI outlets, and ethernet runs. Where exactly did it kill you to upgrade? How much did you end up paying for the upgrades at the end? Do you regret it? This is a make or break for me, so all responses are greatly appreciated! EDIT: The house is a little over 3,000 sq ft and I’m not looking for structural recommendations at the moment.
$40K? That seems a bit tight for upgrades.
Indigo said:
$40K? That seems a bit tight for upgrades.
I upvoted you because I think $40K is too low of an estimation, which is why I’m asking for estimations.
I’d say be prepared for costs to add up quickly. I spent around $50K and it felt like everything was a lot more than I expected.
Tan said:
I’d say be prepared for costs to add up quickly. I spent around $50K and it felt like everything was a lot more than I expected.
What upgrades killed you the most? I want to know where to focus my budget.
@Noel
The countertops and cabinetry were the biggest hits for me. I went with quartz and upgraded the cabinets, which added a lot.
I regretted not adding more electrical outlets. Those little things really add up, especially if you need to hire an electrician later.
Ali said:
I regretted not adding more electrical outlets. Those little things really add up, especially if you need to hire an electrician later.
Good to know… I’ll make sure to prioritize that.
Make sure to ask about their promotions or package deals. Sometimes they have discounts that can really help your budget.
Tegan said:
Make sure to ask about their promotions or package deals. Sometimes they have discounts that can really help your budget.
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for that. Thanks!
I’d suggest getting quotes from outside contractors too. Sometimes outside pricing can be better for certain things like flooring.
Rin said:
I’d suggest getting quotes from outside contractors too. Sometimes outside pricing can be better for certain things like flooring.
That’s a smart move. I hadn’t thought of that.