Connecting Clients: XL Consulting AU 

XL Consulting AU is a Sydney-based boutique construction planning consultancy specialising in highly detailed schedules, 3D construction visualisation, and project controls for complex, staged projects. Founded by Xavier Larock and Saul Salcedo, the business has grown into a team of planners and visualisation specialists with offices in North Sydney and Valencia, Spain. We sat down with Xavier to talk about how the business started, what makes their approach different, and what’s next.

Where did it all start for XL Consulting AU?

Xavier Larock and Saul Salcedo both came out of the construction industry – more than a decade of project planning experience each, across high-profile European and Australian contractors. They understood the industry from the inside: the tenders that won or lost on the strength of a programme, the projects that slipped because no one had visualised the sequencing clearly enough, and the gap between what planning consultants typically delivered and what builders actually needed.

XL Consulting AU was built to close that gap – founded with a deliberate focus on combining rigorous construction programming with the visual communication tools that allow any audience, technical or not, to understand exactly how a project will be delivered.

During the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, while many businesses retrenched, XL doubled down. The uncertainty of that period sharpened their focus and accelerated their growth – securing new contracts, building their team, and proving that a boutique planning consultancy built on quality could thrive even in challenging conditions.

What does XL Consulting AU do and what makes them unique?

XL Consulting AU sits at the intersection of planning expertise and visual communication. Their core offer is construction programming and scheduling – highly detailed, methodical programmes built for complex, staged projects in operational environments. But what sets them apart is what they layer on top: the ability to translate that programme into a visual language that any audience can understand.

Every team member comes from a construction background – not just planning software expertise, but real-world knowledge of how projects are built, sequenced, and managed under pressure. This means XL works as an extension of the bid or project team, not as an outsourced service provider.

Their software capability spans industry-leading platforms including Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, and Synchro – the latter enabling the 4D construction visualisation and BIM integration that has become a signature of XL’s work.
Two principles sit at the heart of how they work. First: no copy-paste – every project is treated as unique, with bespoke solutions rather than recycled templates. Second: no overcommitment – the team takes on what they can deliver to the highest standard, and nothing more.

“XL have been great to work with – in our tender submissions and on the live jobs. They’re smart, quick, responsive and reliable. Whether it’s a programme, a construction methodology or a full 4D graphic presentation, Xavier, Saul, and the team have always delivered for us.”

– Chris Heap, Business Development Manager, Parkview Constructions

Can you tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of?

XL Consulting’s project portfolio reflects the breadth of their capability across sectors and scales. Standout projects include:

Australian War Memorial – Bean Building, ACT – A heritage-sensitive national institution requiring meticulous staging and sequencing, with significant stakeholder visibility and zero tolerance for programme slippage.

Uniting Epping – Coombah Village (Aged Care) – A complex aged care development in a live operational setting, where planning precision and clear communication were critical to minimising disruption to residents and staff.

Noarlunga Hospital (Health) – Healthcare construction in an active clinical environment, where programme reliability directly affects patient outcomes and staff operations.

Registrar General Building, City of Sydney (Heritage) – A heritage building upgrade in the CBD requiring careful coordination across trades, heritage consultants, council requirements, and public access obligations.

Across these projects – and many more including residential towers, student accommodation, schools, and industrial facilities – XL Consulting has built a reputation for delivering exactly what they say they will, when they say they will.

Uniting Epping

Noarlunga Hospital

How can XL Consulting AU play an integral part for businesses across the infrastructure industry?

In tendering and construction, the programme is often the first impression a client or assessor has of a contractor’s capability. A strong, well-communicated construction methodology can be the difference between winning and losing a competitive tender. On site, that same programme becomes the tool that keeps everyone aligned.

XL Consulting’s value lies in making that programme work harder. By combining rigorous planning with 3D visualisation and BIM, they give contractors the ability to show – not just tell – how a complex project will be delivered. For staged projects in operational environments, where sequencing must account for live systems, working hours, safety exclusion zones, and stakeholder sensitivities, that clarity is what wins tenders and keeps projects on track.

Their forensic planning and programme review capability adds another dimension – when disputes arise or projects fall behind, XL can provide the detailed programme analysis needed to understand exactly what happened, when, and why.

Corporate training programs extend their value further, equipping client teams with the knowledge and tools to manage programmes with confidence. As AI and digital tools continue to reshape construction, XL Consulting is actively integrating these into their workflows – developing custom project tracking software and staying ahead of a rapidly evolving landscape.

What’s next for XL Consulting AU?

Growth for XL Consulting is deliberate and considered – consistent with the ‘no overcommitment’ principle that defines how they work. The immediate domestic priority is deepening their national footprint, with Queensland the next major market focus. They already serve clients nationally, but relationships in construction are built face to face.

Internationally, XL Consulting is already active in the UK and building toward a broader European presence – with their Valencia, Spain office providing an operational footprint that demonstrates the genuine global reach of the business.

Closer to home, the focus is on continuing to invest in the tools and people that allow them to deliver at the highest level. As they grow, the goal remains the same as when the business started: every programme delivered on time, every client genuinely looked after, and no compromise on quality.

XL Consulting AU is a Sydney-based boutique construction planning consultancy delivering programming, scheduling, 3D construction visualisation, project controls, forensic planning, and drone surveying for complex construction projects across Australia. With offices in North Sydney and Valencia, Spain, XL Consulting partners with contractors, developers, and government clients to bring clarity and confidence to every project. To find out more, visit xlconsulting.com.au.