Why Your Property Business Is Only as Strong as Your Team
When most people think about property investment, their minds usually go straight to the exciting stuff like finding great deals, adding value through refurbishments, and watching equity grow. But in my experience, there’s something else, something less glamorous but far more powerful, that really makes everything work: your power team. I am talking about the people behind the scenes who keep things running smoothly – your solicitor, mortgage broker, roofer, gas engineer, gardener, decorator, handyman, cleaner… you get the idea. You don’t always hear about them in flashy success stories, but believe me, without them, those stories would fall apart fast.
What Is a Power Team (and Why You Need One)
Your power team is your behind-the-scenes dream team, the trusted people you call on time and time again to help move your projects forward and solve problems before they become disasters. Yes, there are the big players like your solicitor and mortgage broker, but don’t underestimate the quieter heroes. A dependable electrician or cleaner can be the difference between a long-term tenant and a one-star review. A skilled roofer can save you thousands in future repairs. A gardener or decorator? They help create kerb appeal that gets your property noticed.
Here’s a breakdown of who’s typically in my property power team:
- Solicitor
- Mortgage broker
- Accountant
- Builder or contractor
- Electrician / gas engineer
- Handyman
- Roofer
- Gardener
- Decorator / painter
- Cleaner
- Letting agent or property manager
- Architect / planning consultant (for bigger projects)
- Investors or JV partners
- Administrative Assistant
You might not need every one of these from day one, but as your portfolio grows, you will want trusted contacts in each area on your speed dial!
The Real Difference Your Team Makes
You might start your property journey doing everything yourself—but you won’t scale that way. Your team gives you time back. They keep your properties compliant, the tenants happy, and your projects moving. A great roofer prevents leaks before they ruin a ceiling. A good decorator helps you get higher rents. And a loyal handyman saves the day more times than I can count.
A reliable power team does not just make life easier, they make your business sustainable.
How I Found (and Keep) the Right People
I diid not build my team overnight. It took time, trial, error, and lots of recommendations. Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Ask Around
Speak to other landlords and investors. Who do they use? Who do they avoid? Property networking events and investor groups are brilliant for this.
2. Test with Small Jobs First
I will never throw a massive job to someone I have never worked with. I like to test the waters with something smaller, fixing a tap, tidying a garden, or repainting a room.
3. Use Trusted Platforms
Websites like Checkatrade, Rated People, and even local Facebook groups are surprisingly useful, just do your homework before hiring.
4. Have Backups
Your go-to roofer might be booked for weeks. Your decorator might be away. Always have a couple of trusted names on hand for each trade especially for time-sensitive roles like handyman, cleaner, or gardener.
How to Keep Great People Around
Finding good people is one thing. Keeping them is just as important. Here’s what’s helped me build lasting relationships with my team:
- Pay on time – Always. No exceptions.
- Be fair and clear – Scope, expectations, timelines. The clearer you are, the fewer problems you will face.
- Respect their craft – Don’t micromanage. Trust them to do their job.
- Appreciate them – Say thank you. Give referrals. Leave a good review. It doesn’t take much, but it means a lot.
- Keep the work flowing – If they know you’re consistent, they’ll prioritise you when you really need them.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one piece of advice I could give to any property investor, new or experienced it’s this: invest in your team, not just your properties.
Yes, properties bring the income. But people are what make the machine run. A strong, reliable power team means fewer headaches, fewer emergencies, and a lot more peace of mind.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong before scrambling to find a roofer or a decorator. Start now. Build those relationships. Test people out. Appreciate the good ones. Because behind every great property investor is a team of brilliant, skilled, hardworking people quietly making it all possible.
