How to Build Trust With Your Team Before You Need It

When Trust Saves a Project

A few years ago, one of my mentoring clients, a builder-turned-investor was running a simple two-lot subdivision on Brisbane’s southside.

Everything looked smooth on paper with approvals in place, contractors lined up, numbers stacked.

Then the stormwater plan hit a snag.

Council wanted a revised design that required an easement through the neighbour’s property.

He called his planner in a panic.

Instead of finger-pointing or delays, the planner calmly explained the options, reached out to the neighbour directly and had the revised design lodged within 48 hours.

No blame, no stress, no blowout.

That outcome didn’t come from luck. It came from trust  that had been built months before anything went wrong.

Why Trust Can’t Be Built in a Crisis

Most investors only start building relationships when they need something.

By then, it’s too late.

Under pressure, people revert to what’s familiar – they work with the ones they already trust.

If you haven’t built that foundation yet, you’ll be treated like a transaction, not a partner.

Strong relationships don’t just make projects run smoother.

They protect profit when the unexpected happens.

Because let’s face it, every project hits turbulence.

The 3 P’s of Building Trust

Trust isn’t built through charm or long lunches – It’s built through consistency.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that the best developers, the ones consultants love working with, all share three traits:

1. Proactive

They don’t wait for problems to appear – they check in regularly, share updates early and make decisions fast.

A quick “Just confirming we’re still on track for Thursday’s submission” email can save weeks of guessing.

2. Professional

They show respect for other people’s time and process.

That means clear communication, tidy documentation and sticking to agreed timelines.

It’s not about being corporate, it’s about being reliable.

3. Predictable

They’re consistent.

Consultants, builders, and brokers know what to expect from them, even under pressure.

Predictability breeds confidence. Confidence breeds trust.

Those three habits – proactive, professional, predictable, form the backbone of every successful property development team.

Your Deal Team

These are the people directly responsible for getting your project from concept to completion.

They’re the ones who see the site, solve problems and keep your subdivision or build moving forward.

Surveyor

Your surveyor is your first port of call for anything subdivision-related.

They confirm boundaries, identify constraints, and help you understand what’s physically possible on the land before you even make an offer.

A good surveyor saves you from bad sites, long before you’ve spent a cent on reports or consultants.

Town Planner

Your planner is your bridge to council.

Keep them close from day one because they know the local codes, overlays and the quirks of each assessing officer.

Collaborate early rather than handing them a fixed idea. Their advice upfront can save you months later.

Civil Engineer

Your engineer is the problem-solver for everything below the ground. They understand stormwater, sewer and access better than anyone else on the team.

If you treat them like a box-ticker, you’ll miss opportunities for smarter, cheaper design.

Bring them into the conversation before you buy the site, not after.

Builder

Trust with a builder is built on clarity, not control. Agree on communication, inclusions and variation processes early.

Ask for progress photos, regular updates and an honest conversation about pressures on their side.

Respect their craft and they’ll respect your project.

Agent

Agents are often the forgotten link in the team chain. A trusted agent helps you price accurately, read the market and sell smarter.

Keep them informed during construction – they’ll give you feedback on design decisions that affect resale.

Your Advisory Team

While your deal team handles the physical side of a project, your advisory team helps you structure, fund, and protect it.

They’re your sounding board and safety net – the ones who keep your foundation solid.

Mortgage Broker

Your broker should be part of your strategy, not just the paperwork. Let them know what’s coming up in your pipeline so they can prepare options early.

A strong broker relationship keeps your finance pathways open and your deals moving.

Take a look at this blog Funding Your Next Deal

Accountant

Your accountant isn’t just there to crunch numbers. They help you structure deals for tax efficiency, asset protection and long-term growth.

Keep them looped in before you sign a contract – not after. A quick conversation upfront can save thousands later.

Solicitor

Your solicitor is your line of defence. A good one will flag contract issues, advise on easements and protect you from settlement surprises.

Choose someone experienced in property, not a generalist and keep that relationship warm between deals.

The Trust Audit: Check Your Team

Here’s a quick pulse check you can run on your own property team today:

• Do they respond promptly and clearly when issues arise?
  
• Do they take ownership of their role without blame or excuses?
  
• Have they ever stepped up to help outside their brief?
  
• Would you confidently recommend them to another investor?
  
• Do you check in when things are quiet – not just when you need something?

If you can’t tick at least four out of five, that relationship probably needs attention.

How to Build Trust Before You Need It

The time to build trust isn’t mid-project – it’s between projects. Here’s how to do it:

1. Stay in touch.
Even when you don’t need anything, send a quick note of thanks or share a win from a recent deal.

2. Pay promptly.
Cashflow matters to consultants as much as it does to you. Prompt payment sends a loud message about integrity.

3. Share credit.
When a project goes well, let them know they were part of it. People remember who appreciates them when the next job rolls around.

4. Be honest.
If you make a mistake or run late, own it. Transparency in bad times builds 10x more trust than smooth sailing ever will.

Real-World Example

One of my mentoring clients learned this the hard way.

He’d been using a different planner for every new project, thinking it gave him variety and options… but when a key DA got stuck in review, none of them knew his background or process well enough to push it through quickly.

Now, he works with the same planner across every site and it shows. The communication is faster, the advice sharper, the results smoother.

Sometimes loyalty pays in more than just goodwill. It pays in efficiency.

Access My Free Rolodex of Trusted Professionals

If you want a shortcut to finding great people, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

You can access my Free Rolodex – a curated list of brokers, planners, surveyors and builders who’ve delivered for investors across Australia.

You’ll save time, avoid the guesswork and start your next project with people who already know what good looks like.

Final Reflection

Trust isn’t built when things are easy – it’s tested when they’re not. The smartest investors know that relationships are their most valuable asset.

Because when you build trust before you need it, you never have to scramble when things go wrong.
You just pick up the phone… and your team’s already got your back.