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