Full Bio – Sanjesh Lal

Witnessing the arrival of the likes of Michael Jackson, U2 and many other celebrities, working at the airport seemed like quite a glamorous job…

Sanjesh Lal sits in the drivers seat of the Keola Homes bus.

About 20+ years ago, he started his study at Auckland University to become a Civil Engineer. Not one to sit idle, he quickly became bored with monotonous study and within two years, decided to get out in the real world and improve on his seven dollars an hour part time job.

That move was only attractive for six months as pay increments were limited to ten or fifteen cents per hour

Yes it’s true. And that too, only after a dashing performance appraisal. Soon after, he decided to join Fedex an international express air freight company. Witnessing the arrival of the likes of Michael Jackson, U2 and many other celebrities, working at the airport seemed like quite a glamorous job.

After working in just about every department for two years at Fedex. He decided to take flight. The work was enjoyable, but something was still lacking. He realised that he couldn’t get much further in life without a qualification.

So it was adios to happy travellers and back into the slog of university study

After graduating, he started as a junior engineer working for an engineering consultancy called Fraser Thomas Ltd. The foundations for a career in civil engineering would soon be laid working under the stern hand of Gordon Cuthbert.

As director, Gordon was a no nonsense type of a guy, but an excellent engineer

Very calm, collected and focused, he was the expert witness in many contractual cases. His engineering career seemed to have started before the days of colour TV. Many, many useful skills had rubbed off from Gordon.

From here, Sanjesh’s career took him through various roles working for corporate companies. Well known companies such as Harrison Grierson, City Design, Opus International and Barry Satchell Consultants. His career mainly focused on large scale infrastructure, land development and commercial projects ranging in value from fifteen thousand to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Many relationships were formed with Council personnel and various other consultants in just about every imaginable discipline. Unbeknown, the relationships established and knowledge gained would become crucial in the decision to mould what would later become Keola Homes Ltd.

Boredom set again about ten years into his engineering consultancy career

Large ongoing projects year, after year, after year, soon lost it’s appeal. His passion for creativity, the challenge of building, and meeting new people, wasn’t being satisfied. In April 2007, he made a bold move to start Keola Homes Ltd.

And what better time to start a building company then the entry into a global recession!

But that didn’t faze him at all. He had years of building and development background and the challenges would be substantial enough to keep him entertained.

The excitement of a new company, and the satisfaction of actually building something that was “real” created the energy to drive the company to where it is today. Winning awards and establishing lifelong relationships with his clients many of whom have become good friends.

See what David and Judith of Remuera have to say about Sanjesh.

Sanjesh regularly writes industry related articles, some published in NZ Herald and other newspapers.

He is the author of the report “Why Some Building Projects End in Disaster (3 Simple Tips That Will Save You Every Time!)” (Sign up for your free copy at the top right of this page.)

Sanjesh has received heartfelt praise from many of his clients for his understanding nature and genuine interest in the “big picture” when it comes building ones dream home.

He offers his skills and expertise to others through seminars, consultancy and often some words of advice over a coffee at his favourite Barefoot in the Bay Cafe. His free newsletter is now available by subscribing on the right hand side.

Sanjesh Lal
Auckland, New Zealand

Contact Sanjesh

Phone +64 9 627 7124 / 021 280 8580