Meet Neil: the surveyor who turned redundancy into a booming business

• Business name: Trew Surveying 

• Industry: Building Surveying 

• Founded in: March 2022 

• Top business product: Business bank account

• Key learning: “There will always be risk involved but anything worth having always involves a little risk. You just have to decide whether the juice is worth the squeeze.”

When Neil Trewick unexpectedly set up his small business, he could never have predicted what would happen next. 

Trew Surveying is now a multi-award winning business based in Teesside and in under three years, Neil has completed around 1,500 surveys. His hard work has cemented his business as a success in the North East and he has also been recognised on a national scale too. 

Here, Neil shares his business journey and his passion for always supporting his local community. 

Why did you decide to set up Trew Surveying? 

I was suddenly made redundant in March 2022. We all went to work on Monday as normal and by Monday afternoon we didn’t have our jobs anymore. So normally when someone starts a business they would be planning it for a while, but I never had that luxury. There’s never a great time to lose your job, but it was a month before my wedding so I had to think of a plan quickly. I knew my previous clients would have paid for surveys and now they were no longer going to get done by my previous employer, so I did their surveys for free. That’s how my business started - out of goodwill. I also didn’t have any expectations, but it took off immediately and I’ve been busy from the day I started. 

How long have you been trading? 

I’ve been trading for nearly three years. It’s been an amazing journey as I won a local business award for ‘Best New Sole Trader’ within the first six months and then a few months ago I won the ‘UK’s Self Employed/Freelancer of the Year Award’ at national level, after previously winning the award for the North East. 

Did you get any funding to set up your business? 

No, I’ve never used a penny that isn’t my own. I didn’t look into lending as I didn’t want to owe anybody any money. My business model is straightforward, as I’ll only do the jobs that   have been paid upfront. So if you want a survey, you pay me and then I’ll do the job. I was initially registered as a sole trader, but now I’m a limited company due to the success of the business. I brought in £250k in the first year and now I’ve done 1500 surveys so far - most surveyors would be happy with 200 surveys in a year and I’m doing more than double that! 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in the first 12 months? 

There were some incredibly long days. I didn’t have things in place straight away, so I had to learn very quickly and wear multiple caps. In the first couple of months I also wasn’t really making any money, as everything I earned was put back into the business. For example, I had to pay for a website and equipment like new iPads. As quick as the money was coming in, I was finding something to spend it on. 

Did any financial products help in the early days of your business? 

For me, everything was about speed so I chose providers that could get me up and running quickly. I chose Virgin Money for my business bank account as it was quick and the app was easy to use. I also spoke with other surveyors who had started up on their own to find out their recommendations. There were certain financial products I needed to be a fully licensed RICS Regulated Surveying firm, including a business bank account and professional indemnity and public liability insurance. This was important as it gave my business credibility and my customers had peace of mind. 

Are there any financial products you wish you’d known about sooner? 

No, I did have a good grasp of what I needed, but I probably spent a bit of money on various sponsorships and marketing that I wouldn’t do again - but you live and learn! However, I currently sponsor Middlesborough FC and I think this is good for brand awareness, and I also sponsor a local kid’s football team which is great for the community. 

What’s next for your business? 

It’s really tricky and I do change my mind on a weekly basis. I don’t think I want to grow in terms of branches across the country, but I do want to bring more people in as I currently do everything on my own. So, the next step will probably be getting another surveyor to join me. 

I’ve also made an effort to only spend my money with other small local businesses. If I need something, then I’ll always look for a company in Teesside. I have local people who help with my branding and social media. I like investing in my community and then I also get similar support. But if I expanded the business further afield, I wouldn’t have that local knowledge, and that’s an important part of surveying as I know the houses in my area. For me, it’s important to do a good job in my patch. 

What advice would you give to someone who is starting their own business? 

It’s not as impossible or scary as you might think. I am doing more work than I’ve ever done before, but you are in control and can decide what works best for you. I would also say organisation is important, so I make lists every day and tick off tasks when I’ve done it. At the beginning, create a list of everything you need to do to set up the business and then use that to create a roadmap of the months ahead. This will keep you on track. 

Remember, there will always be risk involved but anything worth having always involves a little risk. You just have to weigh up the risk versus the reward. 

This case study is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The results described are specific to the individual's personal experience, so please consult with a qualified professional if you need financial advice.