MainVue Homes - Tender

The purpose of the tender appointment was to give an indication of the fixed and provisional site costs that would be incurred in building at our site.  This meeting was held in late December after the soil test had been complete and report lodged to Henley/ MainVue Homes.  The meeting was with Sam in the Henley office in Ferntree Gully Road, Mount Waverley.

We had already been given an indication from XP, the Sales Manager, from Point Cook to expect something in the order of $40,000.  The fixed and provision site costs did come in at around this figure, and though it was expected it was still a little surprising.  There were some costs for the leveling the site which I assumed was flat enough to build on, however apparently there was a significant gradient on the land for them to support an additional $4,000 charge.

Also, we were told that based on the soil report - clay based, that a H class slab would need to be poured, it was also explained that some additional pillions would be constructed as part of the support of the concrete slab.  This was another $4,000 extra.

Again we went though the quotation in further details to ensure that there were things that we still wanted to include.

Some of the more desirable items have unfortunately had to be removed such as the upgrade to a spa option ~$2,500 and the coffee machine ~$4,000.  Yes a $4,000 coffee machine, although it did make the entire look very complete.

During the tender the rain water tank was removed, as there was no suitable wall to fit it against, and so only the provision will remain, and later after handover will an appropriate sized tank need to be found and pump installed. This removed ~$4,000.

Roughly we were told that having the additional option of LED lighting in lieu of halogen lighting the approximate cost would be an additional $5,000.

Not specifically to MainVue Homes, but from a marketing perspective what they show you and the perception that they create is a luxury/quality product, however all the extras and choices are not clear to you from the beginning.  This is the similar to a car industry, take a Mercedes Benz where you have the base models, then you can upgrade for diesel, sat nav and then up to the AMG class.  The difference in the marketing approach is that there are distinct levels between the luxury and performance and the prices are generally known (or can be quickly uncovered).  Here with our experience we have found that you might like what you see, but it isn't what you get - you have to choose it, and when you thought you had paid for it in the base price, you have to pay some more.
So perhaps it is the marketing approach that works or it is poor expectation management.  Anyhow, it is something that all consumers need to be aware.

A short digression - well, after this meeting it was good to get the process moving along.  But at the same time it was a very costly meeting, and my thoughts is that we should have chosen Amalfi as the lesser financial stress causing option.  However, Jo believes we are still living within our means.


So next, colour appointment

MainVue Homes

As the search continued we decided to head out to Point Cook's Salt Water Coast.  It was a terrible day to drive out west with torrential rain, we got lost along the way and had to double back a couple of times - mostly poor navigation.  We began our visit in Point Cook at Metricon's Laguna display home, which my dad had recommended.  It is a pretty spectacular home, but of course most things are when they are brand new and well furnished. This home was definitely on the cards, but there were more display homes to view: Boutique Homes, Clarendon Homes, Carlisle Homes, Porter Davies and others.

Clarendon homes provides a what you see is what you get package.  However their designs were old and dated.  The others, like Metricon employ a bait and switch like tactic to sell their homes.  We don't think that this is a good way to start a relationship.

After viewing the Carlisle display, across the road the design of the outdoor alfresco is what initially caught our eye of the MainVue Homes display, a developer than we had not previously known.

There are three MainVue Homes displays at Point Cook: Amalfi, Emporio and Ivory.

Walking through the Amalfi display, a single storey, the facade was very unassuming however upon entry you were greeted by a high vault ceiling and outlined marble flooring.  A very open plan living area with high ceiling and separated sleeping quarters the display was approximately 33 squares.  For Andy, he was won by the entry foyer and the doors with special soft close hinges.  The alfresco, not an option that is built by MainVue, was also a key focus of the lifestyle that we hope to enjoy - entertaining family and friends.

Emporio was more impressive from the facade, offering a balcony from the main bedroom upstairs on the first floor.  A much larger home at over 40 squares it provides for larger bedrooms with walk in wardrobes and additional study and living areas as standard.  The other drawcards for this display were the large picture windows options for the family and dining rooms.  From an interior design point of view there wasn't a standout feature of the house, like in the Amalfi entry foyer.

Both were great displays with good open floor plans providing lots of natural light; despite the miserable weather.  We were most comfortable with these display homes and wanted to proceed with MainVue Homes.

Speaking with the Sales Consultant (XP) at the sales office to get the conversation started was relaxed and friendly.  He threw out the wet weather special gimmick of a refundable deposit to lock in a $8,000 promotion.  We didn't bite, but we didn't come back the next day on a sunnier day with my dad and sister.  We had tentatively decided on the Emporio home, and he walked us through the house with another couple to explain the options and choices.

Xavier's approach came across as genuine and helpful, our only complaint that we would have is that he doesn't need to slag off the other competition so much, and could focus more on the great selling points of MainVue Homes and any flexibility they have in design etc.

He promised a quotation in 24hours after providing a refundable deposit of $800, and he delivered.  The detailed quotation came back in the ball park which he suggested, but noted that there would still be plenty of other non essential options that could be removed to reduce the cost.  Options such as the glass balustrade along the staircase and bi-fold doors to the alfresco.

However, it is generally unlikely that you would want less rather than more and the quotation fluctuated up and down with the revisions that we made to the options and choices that we wanted.  Such as larger garage ~$5k, grand alfresco area ~$10k, picture windows, highlight windows, additional water and gas points, rain water tank, just to name a few.

The final quotation prices came to a little over $500,000.  The tender, site and colour costs are yet to come.

The Search

After living in Sydney for the last four years, we have returned to Melbourne and both of us have moved back into our respective parents' homes.  Despite what you might think it hasn't been too bad, and it just feels like we have moved back four years in time. 

Nonetheless, the first order of business upon our return has been to look for a new place.  A cursor search on the Internet and driving by many local suburbs we found many smaller developers which we thought would be a good place to start a conversation. 

We spoke with the likes of Comdain Homes, Folio 3 and Bellemore Homes. As you would expect the sales process always starts off promising, however once we tried to follow up with each of these companies they continually failed to deliver simple things on time, if at all.  

In fact Folio 3 started to help us form our concept for a multi dwelling development to visual with a floor and site plan the possibilities of what could be developed.  After the initial conversation they never responded or took action to contact us for the second appointment.  We found this surprisingly bizarre considering we assured them that we were serious and also that if a multi dwelling was not possible that we would be still interested in their standard housing developments.

While, Metricon asked us for our certificate of title, I guess as a proof of ownership, and promised they would then view the land to inspect it to ensure that it would be possible to build on.  However, on two attempts with sales people in their the Caulfield display home and once with those in Keyborough, we got no response at all.

For whatever the reason it seems as though this industry does not need to chase or pursue sales.

We had come to the conclusion that we would not find a sales person that we would like or a display home and floor plan that we would love.  However, the Metricon homes in the Signature range were pretty amazing, modern and chic all of the displays were not the package that you would typically pay for.  Most of those homes on display had additional specifications and were mostly over the magically $1million mark; excluding landscaping.

And so the search continues...