 Well Xpect Property officially opened its doors on Leap Day 2024! One year later, 90 invoices issued to 63 valued clients. Clients included: - A financier now large format retail developer - Four growing primarily townhouse developers in Auckland - A couple of regional developers - A number of regional main contractor/developers - A national BTR developer - A national industrial asset owner and developer - A national social housing provider - A north island project management consultancy - A structural engineering consultancy - Iwi focused development management consultancy - Planning, civil engineering, architectural and finance companies - One Iwi - Many individuals building or buying their own home - Some individuals seeking employment and career advice - Numerous individuals training in Xpect Feasibility Masterclass - A handful of organisations investing in their staff with the Deciphering Development course - A Church - Numerous small team / self developers - A handful of subcontractors / suppliers - Multiple home builders - Real estate agents - High end government financial & strategy consultancy |
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The work done: - Development management & project management on tap / contract - subdivision, multi-unit residential & bulk retail/commercial - Strategic feasibility work preparing for repositioning industrial assets to a large apartment project in Auckland - Feasibility and local market contacts/understanding for an build to rent project in the South island - Helped John Kenel create his property development club - Site acquisition - Asset management plan advisory - Board level developer advisory - Development market research and insights - Project design reviews/value engineering - Business development strategy and coaching - Development site strategy assessments & coaching - Development feasibility coaching - Corporate workshops in property development - Recruitment for employers & recruitment advisory and career direction to candidates (quantity surveyors, project/development managers & directors, engineers, architects/design mgrs) - New home build contract review - All sorts of build/developer contracts and agreement reviews - Building a KPI engine, development approval checklist/engine & other property development systems |
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What some of Xpect's clients had to say: We were scoping options for a 4000sqm development property. I engaged Andrew for a 2nd opinion on this project with multiple moving parts which required strategic negotiations with the vendor. There would be a lot of risk in this project as all the development risk would borne by us as the purchaser. Andrew quickly absorbed all the information on hand and we had a desired outcomes and potential obstacles brainstorm. After the meeting, I had a lot more clarity on what the market would absorb, what the roadblocks would be from the vendors perspective. And we tailored a few completely different scenarios to assist in further negotiations whilst minimising our risk in an unstable market. Sanjesh Lal “I contacted Andrew for my large development project, which required a second opinion. He took me into all the risk factors and then applied them to the project feasibility equation. This was like doing a stress check. After that, I felt a lot more comfortable. That gave me a lot more confidence and satisfaction towards the project. Was worth running this past an expert.” Regards Vinod In 2016, I tried to enroll in Andrew Crosby’s property class at Unitec, but it was fully booked. Nine years later, I finally had the opportunity to meet Andrew not as a student, but to discuss my professional growth and strategic direction. Throughout my career, I’ve worked across the contractor, consultant, and client sides, gaining experience in commercial projects, residential developments, and large-lot subdivisions. This has given me the ability to view developments both as an engineer and a developer. However, I wanted to take the next step building on this experience and evolving further in business development and leadership. That’s where Andrew came in. At Metis Consultants Limited (NZ) we are quite fortunate to have Michael Arthur as our leader, someone who places a strong emphasis on the professional development of his team so after discussing my goals with him, I reached out to Andrew. Our session was invaluable, we broke everything down to the fundamentals, identified key areas for growth, and developed a clear, actionable plan. Andrew’s insights and structured approach helped me align my development with how I can bring maximum value to both myself and the business. It’s only been a week since our session, and I’ve already made significant progress. Andrew has been incredibly supportive and continues to check in with me. For anyone looking for guidance on professional development and strategic growth, I highly recommend Andrew. He has an incredible ability to see the big picture while connecting on a fundamental level. P.S. Andrew is a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point kind of guy but at the same time, he’s incredibly friendly and has a great sense of humor. He makes the process both insightful and enjoyable! Smit Halvawala Andrew at Xpect Property Limited has consistently demonstrated a level of professionalism that is truly exemplary. Andrew's dedication to delivering exceptional results, combined with their unwavering commitment to quality, sets them apart in the industry. I wholeheartedly recommend Andrew Crosby and Xpect Property Limited for any tender preapproval services related to residential property development projects in Auckland. Their professionalism, speediness, attention to detail, and industrial expertise make them a valuable partner for any endeavor. Kester Ko Managing Director Rockhopper I engaged Andrew to cast his eyes over a project which we have had sitting around as was barely feasible to begin. Some fresh eyes and a few different approaches/lines of questioning resulted in a strategy signed off and ready to commit to. Calvin Yates I’ve worked with Andrew recently on a feasibility study, and he quickly identified a couple minor mistakes that could have cost me significantly in the long run. He is highly experienced & I highly recommend Andrew if you're considering any property development projects. Even if you are experienced and have a solid team, having someone like Andrew for a second opinion can be incredibly valuable. Definitely recommend him. Saeed Karimian Thanks, Andrew @Xpect Property Limited, for providing spot-on advice for our property development process. Your expertise was invaluable in knowing exactly where to find the right information and tailoring it perfectly to our situation. All delivered with a great sense of humour. Highly recommended for anyone seeking clear, concise, and effective property development guidance! Cheers Tim Jacomb Embarking into private development(s) is perhaps one of the most daunting endeavours, regardless of personal experience in the built environment. That's why I am looking to build a strong network around me to help support me on this venture. My first port of call was to reach out to Andrew Crosby for a one-on-one session to address the core criteria of my development aspirations and test and expand upon the feasibility work I have done to date. Andrew proved to be an excellent mentor; he is extremely knowledgeable, very personable, to the point and efficient with the time allocated. For those looking to also embark on their own developments, or require a solid soundboard to bounce development ideas off of, I strongly recommend you reach out to Andrew. Thanks Quinn Andrew Crosby's Feasibility Course has fundamentally changed how I approach property development by emphasizing an "end-in-mind" strategy. If you’ve ever wondered what type of development is most suitable for a particular parcel of land—whether it’s terraced townhouses, duplexes, or another typology—this course offers clarity by breaking down the numbers. It explains cost implications for each option and guides you in choosing the best building typology. I believe the course is invaluable for everyone, regardless of experience level. As a civil engineer, it challenged my assumptions about property development and provided a strategic framework for deciding on the choice, size, and number of building typologies. - Imagine an 800 m² parcel of land: which development would yield the best return? - Six townhouses of 90 m² each? - Three duplexes of 120 m² each? - Two duplexes combined with a four-story apartment building of 100 m² each floor? Andrew's Feasibility calculator can give you ROI for different scenarios and is flexible on the land type as well. On a personal level, I found Andrew very honest and brings a strategic and analytical approach to ensuring that each decision is backed by insight into both market demands and cost-effective design. Ayman Raouf I had the pleasure of working with Andrew Crosby from Xpect Property, and I can confidently say that his expertise in the construction industry is unmatched. Andrew is a well-respected name in the field, and his deep understanding of the market, industry trends, and recruitment process made a significant difference in my job search. Thanks to his guidance, insights, and strategic advice, I was able to secure a Senior Quantity Surveyor role that aligns perfectly with my skills and career goals. His professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to helping candidates succeed set him apart from others in the industry. I highly recommend Andrew Crosby and Xpect Property to anyone in the construction sector looking for career opportunities or expert advice. His knowledge and support are invaluable! Surajapal Many of my project feasibilities were returning low, some instances negative margins. I couldn't help but question if my calculator was working. I needed someone who has the industry knowledge to recalibrate and validate my assumptions. Andrew Crosby @Xpect Property answered my call, and we sat down within few days of reaching out to AC. The 2 hours intense session with sAC was much more than I expected. The discussions were topical. AC's probing questions and in depth analysis very quickly identified areas of interest. I am now going to reassess a couple of the metrics that could make the difference between viable project and project getting shelved. Steven Peng Hengyi Pacific I’ve made some pretty crude spreadsheets in the past to give me an idea on project costs. Now wanting to step up to larger projects, leveraging Andrews years of experience was a no brainer here. After a few hours of coaching, not only can I quickly drill down whether a project is worth further investigation, his spreadsheet can add a mix of other typologies to quickly determine if switching up the mix produces a better outcome, unlocking further potential. This is a massive time saver, and gives me the reassurance that I’m not leaving profit on the table unnecessarily. Sounds a bit sales-ey I know, but that’s genuinely the boost I needed to move forward on a couple of my long term holds. I haven't stopped punching in different scenarios since. Chris Sim Andrew was really helpful assisting me review a building contract and a quote I received from a builder. He thoroughly reviewed the documents and highlighted several clauses in the building contract that were preferential to the builder and did not reflect the risk I was willing to take in the project. I was able to get the contract clauses and conditions amended with the help of Andrew to ensure a better outcome for myself. Garry S “I recently attended a Development Feasibility Masterclass led by Andrew Crosby. I approached Andrew with the goal of gaining hands-on experience in creating feasibility estimates for development projects, and the insights I gained were invaluable. Andrew guided me through building a feasibility estimate from the ground up, providing detailed explanations for each item and helping me understand their significance. His thoughtful approach and depth of knowledge allowed me to develop a solid foundation in feasibility assessments. Thanks to Andrew’s guidance, I am now confident in my ability to estimate the costs of future developments for my clients. I also have a clearer understanding of the broader needs of these projects, enabling me to deliver more valuable insights. I would highly recommend Andrew's masterclass to anyone looking to enhance their skills in development feasibility.” Matt Richards CivilPlan Consultants Limited “As an adviser and a lender, Squirrel has been looking for opportunities to give our team more exposure to property development fundamentals. Andrew brought a wealth of experience to our day and shared stories that brought to life the real challenges that come with developing property. A jam-packed day of high-quality content - at times, it felt like drinking from a fire hose!” Cheers, John Bolton Squirrel OG & Founder I have been in the construction industry for 5 years primarily in the management of a residential construction company building single homes. The evolving market now demands more knowledge and expertise in delivering multi unit developments. Prior to completing the feasibility course with Andrew I had limited understanding on how to effectively create a feasibility report for new developments so was unable to confidently provide advice to clients and decide on what developments were viable for our own developments. Andrew delivered the course in a simple step by step format to ensure I understood each stage and the importance of it. By the end of the course I had a strong understanding of the approach to take to be confident in the feasibility assessment. In addition Andrew explained how to consider other scenarios and alternative approaches to achieving a financially beneficial outcome. I look forward to putting the process to work and would highly recommend the course to anyone looking to do developments. Angus Campbell Managing Director - Waikato North Generation Homes I recently had the pleasure of being coached by Andrew to prepare for a pivotal job interview at a blue- chip listed property investment company, and I cannot recommend his services highly enough. From our initial consultation, it was clear that he truly understands the challenges faced by job seekers particularly those with unconventional backgrounds. One of the most significant ways Andrew supported me was by helping me overcome my feelings of self-doubt. He was re-assuring but also honest in providing the feedback I needed to adequately prepare within a very short space of time. Unknowingly he also helped me combat Imposter Syndrome, transforming my mindset and replacing negative thoughts with a voice of encouragement. During the interview itself, this internal encouragement proved invaluable, boosting my confidence and enabling me to present my best self. He also created a tailored roadmap for approaching the interview, outlining key points to focus on and how to articulate my experiences effectively. This preparation was instrumental in helping me connect with the panel authentically. I felt empowered to highlight my core skills and values, facilitating a genuine dialogue that resonated with the interviewers. Thanks to Andrew's guidance, I walked into the interview more confident and capable than I ever thought possible. His support not only equipped me with the tools I needed but also instilled a sense of belief in myself that I’ll carry into future opportunities. If you're looking for a career coach who will elevate your interview skills and build your confidence, I wholeheartedly recommend Andrew and Xpect Property. PW. Andrew's course is terrfic. I had my entire team of planners do it so get an even better understanding of feasibility matters. Simon O'Connor, Managing Director Sentinel Planning Hello Andrew, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on the coaching session we had. As someone new to subdivision and development, I was quite uncertain about whether the numbers would stack up and what type of product would work best. Meeting you was incredibly insightful. Your extensive experience in the field really shone through as you walked me through your spreadsheet and demonstrated how different products can make a feasibility work. It was enlightening to see how we can leverage various options to control prices effectively. Now, I feel much more confident running feasibility studies for any small development site and determining whether it's worth pursuing further or moving on. I'm very happy with the progress I've made and will certainly recommend your services to others. Regards, P. Murji I recently engaged Andrew ahead of executing on a development project I had on the books for some time. Having delivered hundreds of homes over the last decade, I understand the critical influence of both risk management and good governance in the development game. Andrew was specifically engaged to complete a strategic project review and consider the risks and proposed mitigation strategies. Andrew provided an experienced viewpoint, solidifying my thinking on some issues and opening others for more detailed assessment. I now have the confidence to move forward and will continue to engage Andrew in a governance role as the project progresses. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Andrew in an advisory capacity to both new and experienced developers. Cheers, Corey Penney – Development Manager & Financial Analyst McConnell Property "We were struggling with the feasibility and direction of our site development. Andrew took the time to understand our situation, offering valuable guidance and honest feedback on our options. His insights helped us focus on the key points, providing the clarity we needed to move forward with confidence. Thanks to his assistance, it was exactly what we needed.” James Kolbe Director I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to XPECT for their outstanding assistance throughout the hiring process for Senior Development Manager for 850 units development in Auckland. Andrew demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise in drafting a clear and compelling position description, ensuring it captured all the critical aspects of the role. He meticulously filtered applications and conducted thorough initial interviews, saving us significant time and effort. Andrews dedication, efficiency, and attention to detail made the process seamless and stress-free and the cost were very reasonable. I highly recommend XPECT for their excellent recruiting services and look forward to working with them again in the future. Mr S. Developer Shoutout to Andrew Crosby for an incredibly insightful feasibility class! Before attending, I was stuck in a maze of online jargon, searching for that elusive "aha moment" to uncover the X factor behind feasibility studies. It felt like no matter how much I read, I couldn’t connect the dots. In just 3 hours, Andrew’s clear and practical approach cut through the noise. His coaching made complex concepts accessible and gave me the tools to start making sense of feasibility work. While I know the journey is far from over, I’m excited to apply these lessons to my projects. Thanks to Andrew, I’m a step closer to making informed decisions and unraveling what’s next. What else is there to discover? Can’t wait to keep learning! Abhay Singh Thanks Andrew, I value the speed with which you approached the recruitment process during a very busy time of the year. Communication was very prompt and timely and you made sure to provide all the background information I required. Regards, Sergio Dear Andrew, Thank you for taking the time to update me on the status of the Architect role and for sharing some insights into the selection process. While I am disappointed that I wasn’t successful on this occasion, I truly appreciate the transparency and the effort you’ve put into keeping candidates informed. I’ll make sure to stay connected with you on LinkedIn and keep an eye out for any future opportunities that align with my experience and skills. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you believe there’s a role where I could add value to your clients. Wishing you and your team all the best, and thank you once again for considering my application. Warm regards, P.Mohan. Sorry to hear I missed out but thank you Andrew for your response. It's becoming increasingly rare to have someone provide advice on the outcome of an application these days. A professional courtesy and practice that seems to have been lost in recent times. If there are any other opportunities to price a project, I would be more than happy to assist. Maybe we can catch up over a coffee sometime soon. DR Hi Andrew. Thank you for taking the time to give me the feedback. Now and before. It’s really surprising how rare this is currently. Most of the companies don’t actually think of who is behind the table applying. All the best Cheers CR Before the course, I had a solid understanding of project delivery strategies and technical feasibility, and I tended to focus more on those areas while leaving the financial feasibility to others. I knew there was room to strengthen how I connected the two aspects to create a more cohesive approach. Andrew provided a structured and interactive framework that built on what I already knew while clarifying the integration between technical and financial feasibility. The delivery style and practical insights helped me see how the two areas inform each other in a way that elevates overall project outcomes. The outcome is that now I will approach planning projects holistically, and can sanity-check existing feasibilities—ensuring project economics and technical feasibility work together seamlessly. It’s been a valuable experience that has enhanced how I approach our work. Nga mihi & kind regards LUKA OBRADOVIC Principal / Project Director Projectus "Although I have been in the property industry for over a decade, and have a technical background as a property professional, I have not been actively involved in property development, which has always been an area I have wanted to learn more about. I found Andrew's course and insights valuable in condensing years of real-world experience into an easy to understand, and interactive course that doesn't look to overcomplicate development feasibility. From the course I have a greater understanding of the key drivers that impact development feasibility and potential pit-falls to watch out for. Moving forward I will be able to better serve my clients who wish to pursue property development opportunities." Naku noa na, Mr E. Andrew’s masterclass on feasibility is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the development process truly. Through an interactive and engaging approach, Andrew guides you step by step, ensuring you not only complete tasks but also gain a deep understanding of the concepts behind each one. The class encourages you to quickly analyse multiple options and typologies, making it highly effective. Whether you’re a beginner or have prior experience with feasibility studies, this masterclass offers invaluable insights. I can now confidently assess properties with these tools. Olric Thomas Thomas Properties NZ Ltd. Dear Andrew, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding service you provided in helping us find the right employee for our team. Your professionalism, attention to detail, and deep understanding of our needs were evident throughout the entire recruitment process. You took the time to listen to our requirements and ensured that the candidates you presented were not only qualified but also a great cultural fit for our organization. We are thrilled with our new hire, and we are confident that they will make a significant contribution to our team. It’s clear that your expertise in the recruitment field played a vital role in this successful placement. Thank you once again for your support and dedication. We look forward to working with you again in the future. Warm regards, Steve Palmer Managing Director Hitec Property Developments Thanks Andrew I really enjoyed the presentation and think the spreadsheet is really useful in terms of appreciating the inputs and variables. Useful insights into the profit/cost ratio and how to manage that, and the rule of thumb of 4 dwellings for ma and pa developers was interesting too! All the best, Lance Senior Planner, Civix I recently took Andrew's Property Development Feasibility course, and it was super insightful. He broke down how a feasibility works, showing which levers you can pull and just how much of an impact they can have. Comparing different typologies was made really easy. Andrew explained everything in a way that made complex ideas easy to understand. Definitely a valuable session for anyone in property development! Cheers, Sam Murdoch “At our request Andrew Crosby delivered a one-day ‘Fundamentals of Property Development’ course for our team of planners, prompted by our belief that having a basic understanding of how property development works and the economic factors that are in play is an essential part of any planner’s skillset. Andrew’s course was perfectly pitched at the right level, and was delivered with humour and passion. Andrew’s extensive experience and knowledge of property development was apparent in the course material and the interesting discussions that arose. Our team found the course to be really useful and worthwhile.” Philip Brown Director Campbell Brown Planning Limited "We decided to work with Andrew given his extensive network and experience in the industry working with consultants. He was highly proactive, provided regular updates, and requested detailed work examples to ensure a thorough selection process. He efficiently screened numerous applicants, presenting us with a well-curated shortlist, which significantly reduced our time spent reviewing CVs. Andrew took the time to understand our company and the role in detail, allowing him to recommend well-qualified candidates. His ability to effectively communicate and promote the role to potential candidates was invaluable. We will definitely work with him again." Kevin Crowe Managing Director "I reached out to Andrew to discuss my career progression and explore various study options that could help me achieve my goals. While I had already been considering a few courses, I wanted an external perspective on which one would best align with my current situation and future aspirations. With his background as a former CEO and current lecturer, Andrew provided valuable insights and offered a platform to brainstorm ideas. Moving forward, I’m still exploring study options, but now with a more specific criteria in mind." Josh “I find Andrew to be extremely efficient and helpful in assisting me in landing a new role. I could not remember any instances where he did not respond to my latest query within a day or earlier, and I appreciate his willingness to keep things moving outside of normal working hours, which I found really helpful as a full-time employee. I fully recommend Andrew to help finding the next step in your career.” Mr G. " Few weeks back I took Andrew's masterclass session, and this was extremely brilliant and epic to be taking the next step and diving into it. With Andrew's expertise -showing you and teaching you- you do come away with learning some valuable intel, that will help the 2025 goals and taking things to the next level. Once again Andrew thanks for the epic session till next time. " Ashley Prosser Andrew, the KPI tool you have put together for me is fantastic. I must say, it has dramatically transformed the way we manage and track our key performance indicators. From the moment I started using the platform, I was impressed by its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for both beginners and seasoned professionals to navigate effortlessly. One of the standout features is its customizability. You were able to tailor the dashboard to fit our specific business needs, allowing us to monitor the KPIs that matter most to our team. The visual representation of data is intuitive and effective; the chart presents information clearly and enable us to quickly identify trends and areas that require attention. You deserve a special mention for your responsiveness and expertise. Whenever I encountered a question or needed assistance, you were quick to provide thorough and helpful answers. In summary, the KPI Indicators is an exceptional tool for any organization looking to sharpen their focus on performance metrics. It enhances visibility into key data points and facilitates informed decision-making, ultimately driving our business forward. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a robust KPI management solution. Steve Palmer Managing Director Hitec Property Developments “Andrew’s service was first rate. Prompt, detailed and it raised a whole lot of questions that I simply would not have known to ask. It’s not legal advice but to my mind is worth even more. A lawyer will give you the basics to protect your position but Andrew takes a complete view in terms of the long term impact on the home owner. If you are thinking of a new build or renovation, I could not recommend Andrew highly enough for his building contract review.” Kind regards Angus ‘I would highly recommend anyone looking to enter into any building contract, have Andrew review it prior. While this doesn’t replace legal advice, he provides detailed and critical insights that can often be overlooked, potentially leaving you exposed to unnecessary risk. Brilliant service thanks Andrew’ Many thanks Finn McGaveston Director Hi Andrew thank you for today. You gave us some good insights and it was a great training session for my team and some of the guys on the peripheral. I really appreciated your presentation and value the relationship with you. Lets catch up for a beer sometime and keep in touch. I respect your career and what you have achieved and I will be watching with interest as to what you do in the future and will be cheering you on. Thanks again. Austen Austen Clarke Managing Director On Sunday I had the pleasure of having a one on one session with Andrew Crosby to learn how to build a development feasibility model from scratch, along with the reasons for each input and the overall process. Bit of an intense morning which came with its challenges but overall a very rewarding experience. It was clear that Andrew has refined both his model and his teaching method over his decades of experience, easily matching the pace that I could handle. I saw Andrew posting about another budding professional having the opportunity to take a masterclass with him so I reached out and he was very receptive. Feel free to reach out to me to ask more about my experience, or directly to Andrew so you can become the next master feasibility modeller! Samuel Huang Last week, our team had the privilege of gaining insights from a developer's perspective, thanks to Andrew Crosby, Managing Director of Xpectproperty, through his programme "Deciphering Development." Andrew reinforced the importance of understanding developers’ needs and the time and financial pressures they face. The CIVIX team now has a greater appreciation of development risks and is committed to minimising these pressures to better assist our clients in achieving their goals. The real-world training, case studies, and feasibility reviews clearly illustrated what developers deal with daily in bringing residential and commercial developments to market. At CIVIX, we’re committed to continuous learning and delivering exceptional value. This session was a fantastic opportunity to grow, collaborate, sharpen our skills, and keep raising the bar! CIVIX Consulting Engineers I had a great session with Andrew from Xpect Get Set yesterday . As he wisely put it, you're not just paying for an hour, but for two decades of experience. His insights and expertise truly made a difference. Serena Alahakoon THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR BUSINESS, WE APPRECIATE IT! Something in the world of property development that you need help with? Then go to: XpectProperty.com Interested in books on Property Development? Then go to: developmentprofit.com What about a property development focused blog? Then go to: The Developers Chronicles Prepared to see the magic happen and transform your mind? Then go to: expectation.co.nz |