Taking on-the-job training to new levels, White Box Property Solutions is just weeks from completing a major property development project on which it acted as training partner, adviser, investor, consultancy and construction team.
White Box Property Solutions is an award-winning property consultancy, founded in 2014 by Lloyd Girardi and Andi Cooke, bringing together Lloyd’s knowledge of the new-build market, and Andi’s experience in construction.
After successfully negotiating the first few years and building their business into a multi-million-pound development portfolio, Lloyd and Andi saw an opportunity to pass on their experience to others who are also looking to break into property development.
Over the past few years, the White Box team has taken its services to a new level, working on the refurbishment of the 19th Century Rudlens Shoes factory in Mill Road, Wellingborough, into 24 homes, comprising 20 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments.
The site had been derelict for almost 15 years before its potential was recognised by clients of White Box Property Solutions, who turned to Lloyd and Andi for guidance on how to proceed.
Lloyd said:
“We remember the steep learning curve we went on when we started our business and it made us realise that we could pass on that knowledge. Once we’d got a bit of experience under our belts, we found there were lot of people wanting to pick our brains about how the system worked and so we came up with the idea of running courses and offering consultancy to help others get a foothold in property development.
“When we were approached about the Mill Road site, our clients had seen its potential and wanted our help with finding investment, working with our approved lenders and our construction firm, and we were all too happy to get involved. We invested some of the money and helped them find the rest, then provided the construction team once work began and now, we are very excited to see the finished development.
“Now that they have that experience behind them, the developers, Provident Homes, have gone on to work on their own projects around Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, and that’s what we wanted to see. We’re here to help, but they shouldn’t need much more from us.”
The Mill Road development, which has taken about a year, is expected to come to market in April with an end-value totalling £3.8m. Other developments in the White Box pipeline include a plot of land in Cumbria that has planning permission for 28 houses, a development site in Finedon, Northamptonshire, and one in Wolverton near Milton Keynes.
The knowledge gained from taking the company to where it is today led White Box to launch a series of courses and training programmes to inspire others and show them how it is possible to become a property developer using little or none of your own money.
The portfolio includes a Property Developer’s Discovery Day, as well as three online courses:
- Land Sourcing Academy – which advises on what to look for in terms of seeking out and investing in suitable development land
- Project Management Masterclass – which gives an understanding of the role of a project manager and what the process of completing a development will involve.
- Commercial Conversion Academy – which covers the potential of derelict buildings for conversion into flats or business premises
In addition, there is the flagship three-day Property Developer Secrets course that covers everything from starting to source finance right through the process to the final decision to sell or retain as an investment once the development is complete.
All those who take part in the courses are then able to continue with the Mastermind Support Programme which offers one-to-one or group mentoring for as long as it’s required.
Lloyd said:
“We help people learn all the practical skills they need that will help them to find the right development opportunity and also help them understand the pitfalls and the risks to look out for. Engaging us for training doesn’t mean that they have to use any of our services, although if they want us to, we can work with them, or put them in touch with other professionals that we work with and we know and trust.
“Property development is an option many more would be likely to consider if they had access to help and guidance, and that the returns are more attractive than those within the buy-to-let market.”
In addition to its training courses, White Box Property Solutions regularly releases YouTube videos and other free social media content to encourage those who are inexperienced or uncertain.
Find out more about White Box Property Solution on 01933 426400 or visit www.whiteboxps.com
