25 Years in Property Care – Why the Last 3 Have Been the Most Rewarding

Falling Into Property Care – A Career I Never Planned

By Steven Buick, Managing Surveyor, Timberwise Scotland

If you’d told me 25 years ago that I’d still be working in property care today, I’d have laughed and asked if you’d been on the sauce. Truth is, I stumbled into this industry by accident. Originally, I trained as a joiner to trade, working with my family, but dodgy knees put an end to that. After that, I found myself working in sales at a leisure centre, figuring out my next move.

Then one day, I came across a job advert for a preservation surveyor – it was looking for people with joinery and sales experience. I remember thinking, Aye, that sounds right up my street. It was meant to be a stop-gap before heading off travelling, but here I am, over 23 years later, still in the industry. Turns out, I absolutely love what I do…and the last 3 years have been fantastic!

My first job however, in property care was with Wise Property Care, under the guidance of Les Meikle and Brian Reid – two absolute legends in the industry. I started as a trainee surveyor and spent six weeks on the tools, learning the ropes. I’d been a joiner by trade, but until that point, I’d never actually come across dry rot, rising damp, or timber decay. The first time I saw a dry rot fruiting body, I was fascinated. From that moment, I knew I was in the right game.

The Changing Face of the Industry

Over the years, a lot has changed, but some things remain the same. We’re still fixing the same problems – damp, rot, structural issues – but the way we do it has evolved massively.

• Technology has moved on leaps and bounds. I went from writing notes on the back of a cigarette packet (aye…seriously) to using dictation machines, then to reports on Word and Excel, and now we’ve got fully integrated IT and reporting systems that let us produce reports instantly.
• There’s far more awareness of ventilation, condensation, and black mould issues, especially off the back of tragic events in recent years.
• Specialist products and health & safety standards have massively improved. The gear we use now is not just more effective—it’s safer, smarter, and designed with long-term solutions in mind.
• Interestingly, while rogue traders and opportunists were getting squeezed out of the market, some have started creeping back in, taking advantage of increased awareness of industry issues, i.e. black mould. It’s frustrating to see, but it makes the work we do at Timberwise all the more important.

Joining Timberwise – A New Chapter

After over two decades in the industry, making the move to Timberwise felt like the right next step. Having started my career in a family business, I’ve always preferred working for companies with that have a close-knit feel.

I’d worked for corporate PLC-owned businesses, and let me tell you – there’s a world of difference. In big corporates, getting answers, backing, or even just approval for the simplest of things felt like wading through treacle. At Timberwise, you’re listened to, your input matters, and decisions are made quickly. You might not always get your own way, but you’re part of the conversation. That makes a huge difference when you’re out in the field, trying to get things done.

That said, building the Timberwise name in Scotland wasn’t easy. I won’t lie – the first few months were stressful. Stuart McGinlay and myself put in the hard graft to get things moving. It was challenging, but we knew we had something special. The Timberwise brand already had decades of trust behind it, and it didn’t take long for people to recognise our expertise and professionalism.

The Last 3 Years – Hard Work Pays Off

Looking back, the growth we’ve achieved in Scotland is something I’m incredibly proud of.

• We’ve gone from zero to hero in a remarkably short space of time.
• Timberwise in Scotland has expanded from a single base to operating in Edinburgh, Lothian, the Borders, and beyond.
• Since started 3 years ago, we’ve worked on some of the most challenging and rewarding projects of my career.

One of the standout jobs for me was Logie & St John’s Church in Dundee. A complex, challenging project, but it was incredibly rewarding to help restore such an iconic building.

Lessons, Challenges & The Future

The biggest challenge over the last three years? Building brand awareness and getting the right people on board. Timberwise is growing fast, but finding the right surveyors and technicians is always a challenge. We need people who know the job inside out, but also understand the importance of building relationships—because, at the end of the day, this business is built on trust.

If I were to give one piece of advice to someone starting in the industry, it would be this:

👉 Build long-term relationships with your clients. This industry isn’t just about fixing problems – it’s about understanding buildings, listening to people, and offering real solutions. I’ve worked on everything from one-bed flats to castles – you never know what the next day will bring, and that’s what keeps it interesting.

Looking ahead, I want to see Timberwise in Scotland become the number one choice for property preservation. We’re on the right track, and with more growth, more staff, and more investment, I’ve no doubt we’ll get there. Personally, my goal is to help train, guide, and develop the next generation of surveyors – because let’s be honest, I can’t be out surveying forever!

Final Thoughts

If I had to sum up the last three years in a few words? Scary, exciting, rewarding, and full of pride.

Timberwise Scotland has come a long way, but we’re just getting started. On a personal note, I just wanted to say a massive thanks to Stuart McGinlay, Sharon Murray, Laura Ross, Alan Stewart, Stuart Mackie, Donald & Greg Murray for all their hard work, and of course, to all the clients and professionals who have trusted us over the years.

Three years down, many more to come. Here’s to the future!