
Meriton Construction Quality – Second to None
4 February 2025
When you buy in a Meriton development today, whether you be an owner occupier or an investor, you can be assured of an exceptional investment. Not only are you investing in one of Meriton’s finest landmark positions but in its reputation for incomparable quality.
“Delivering the very best quality and the highest standards is now second nature,” founder and managing director of Meriton, Harry Triguboff says.
“It was different when I first started out over 60 years ago. I was building affordable product with a specific market in mind.
“I built for those who wanted to own their own home but never thought it would be attainable.
“The flats were pretty basic but we did the best we could on a budget.”
“Even back then, we still concentrated on a quality build rather than all the bells and whistles that made them look more aesthetically pleasing,” he said.
When the apartment giant started out, it was at a time when cottages were all the big rage. The price point was, however, still out of reach for many.
“Not only were our flats affordable, we gave the people money to buy them because banks wouldn’t loan them the money,” Mr Triguboff says.
“We still do that today. Some of those buyers in our early years are very successful today, including one Mark Bouris.
“Of course, he is now one of Sydney’s best recognised entrepreneurs but back then he was just out of his teens, married with a new baby. He bought one of my units at Port Hacking for $47,000, and I gave him the money to buy it. Look where he is today. He has done very well.
“From the beginning I wanted our building construction to stand the test of time. Functionality with the interiors was far more important than aesthetics. Those dollars were better spent on the build.
“Of course, now we build the highest quality in every aspect of the build. Our buyers get everything. The highest quality construction, the highest quality interiors along with all the bells and whistles,” he said.
“We also maintain the quality of our older buildings so they remain looking sharp and pristine and can hold their own within our portfolio of the newer buildings.
“Meriton retain a certain number of apartments in each development so you will not get a more discerning landlord than me keeping an eye on your investment.
“I demand the very best standard, and the highest quality.
“In fact, we have our own Meriton Standard, and it is far superior to the general industry standard,” he says.
Take just one example of areas you don’t see when purchasing an apartment. Waterproofing of wet areas. The industry standard is to visually check 30 per cent of wet area waterproofing at various stages.
The Meriton Standard is to inspect 100 per cent of waterproofing and flood test every bathroom overnight. Meriton also pressure check all pipelines to ensure that there are no leaks under pressure.
“That is our level of quality,” Mr Triguboff says.
“It is the very best in the industry.
“We don’t just keep one step ahead, we keep 20 steps ahead because our buyers, who are kings to us, demand nothing less,” he says.
One king, so confident in the Meriton product, its locations and its quality, bought 165 apartments in a number of Meriton projects.
“Whether it is 165 or one, all our buyers have the same experience.
“We sell multiple units every day and our buyers tell us that our quality is the best in the market place. There is only one genuine Meriton experience.
“Unfortunately, because of the extortionate construction costs we have today, there are builders who can only afford to use inferior products. Some are only just starting out. I have been on the job for over 60 years. I am across every single aspect of the build and I know we deliver the highest quality to our buyers.
So, what, or whom, makes a building the best quality?
“Everything and everyone,” Mr Triguboff says. “It’s a team effort.
“Take our suppliers. Many have been with us for many years. They know my product better than anything else, they know me and my vision for quality better than anyone else, so they know there is no tolerance for cutting corners and taking short cuts.
“I visit all my sites regularly, every morning I go to sites before going to the office. The site team know I am totally invested and that is important. I have a team of senior management who also go to site regualrly. We make sure there is always a connection between site and head office. That is very important.
“We have implemented quality control measures throughout the construction process which includes the safety of our workers. The good thing about longstanding workers is they know the Meriton way. We have worked together to develop the Meriton Standard and if you come to work with us, it must be to our standard.
Every afternoon, Mr Triguboff has a meeting with his senior management and project management teams to discuss their projects, their progress, and any issues that may have arisen.
“First and foremost, I am a problem solver,” Mr Triguboff says.
“Secondly, I am big on transparency.
“When we all sit together at the end of the day, we discuss everything very openly. They all know what is happening across the board at Meriton. That is very important because they can help each other and that keeps our standard very high.
“We can develop a really comprehensive project plan at the start of the project, but if something new, or better comes along, we are in the position to spin things around and incorporate it into the build. Other builders cannot do that.
“I am proud of every single project because I know on delivery, our buyers have the very best quality available in the property market at the time of completion.
“Stunning design, exceptional craftsmanship, the use of superior materials and the very best people making it all happen,” he says.