Toby Militao: T Militao Carpentry - When Your Property Needs Everything Done Right

What We Actually Do at T Militao Carpentry

We're a multi-service business, which sounds fancy but really just means you can call us for more than one thing. Started with carpentry, added the rest as clients kept asking.

Here's what we handle:

1. Bespoke carpentry and joinery (custom cabinets, fitted kitchens, detailed woodwork)
2. Property refurbishments and finish work
3. General property maintenance (the stuff that needs fixing but isn't major construction)
4. Cleaning services (keeping properties maintained after work is done, or just regular upkeep)
5. Full renovation coordination (when you need multiple trades and don't want to manage five different contractors)

The whole point is giving clients one reliable contact for everything property-related. No more juggling different trades and wondering who's responsible when something goes wrong.

Why I Built This Business the Way I Did

I come from traditional joinery and site carpentry. Spent years learning the craft properly, working with wood, understanding how things fit together and why some work lasts and other work doesn't.

What pushed me to expand beyond just carpentry was watching clients struggle. They'd hire me for woodwork, then need someone for cleaning, then someone else for property maintenance. They'd be coordinating three different people, dealing with scheduling conflicts, and stuck in the middle when things didn't line up properly.

I figured if I bundled complementary services under one business, I could solve that coordination headache. One accountable supplier for everything. Plus, I could make sure the quality was consistent across all services, not just the carpentry side.

How I Got This Whole Thing Started

At the beginning, it was pure carpentry. Custom cabinets, wood repairs, joinery detailing. I built my local reputation the old-fashioned way through referrals and work people could see and touch. Good craftsmanship speaks for itself.

Then repeat clients started asking if I could help with other stuff. Could I handle the cleaning after the renovation? Could I fix that door while I was there? Could I sort out some general maintenance? Rather than saying no and sending them elsewhere, I started saying yes and figuring it out.

I formalised the cleaning arm properly once demand was there. Standards, checklists, dedicated staff. I wanted it to match the quality expectations people had from the carpentry work, not be an afterthought tacked on the side.

I invested early in good tools and supplier relationships too. Timber, finishes, hardware, you need reliable sources. And I set up proper client communication systems from the start: clear estimates, scope documents, progress updates. The boring admin stuff that prevents problems later.

The early challenges were real:

1. Balancing different types of work: Carpentry and cleaning require totally different scheduling, skills, and staffing. You can't just have the same person swinging between building cabinets and mopping floors. I separated teams and created clear schedules so everyone knew their responsibilities and client expectations.
2. Maintaining consistency across services: Some clients would have high expectations from the carpentry side but lower expectations from cleaning, which didn't work. I created a "T Militao standard" that applies to everything we do. Same professionalism, same attention to detail, whether we're building your kitchen or cleaning your office.
3. Managing multiple skills: Not everyone can do everything well. I had to figure out who was best at what and build teams around that instead of expecting everyone to be multi-skilled.

How Things Have Grown and Changed

Word got out pretty quickly once we could handle multiple services. Now I get projects where clients need the whole package: renovating a home and needing carpentry, finish work, cleaning, maintenance, maybe some painting. We coordinate all of it.

That bundled approach gives us a real edge over single-specialty trades. Clients love having one point of contact instead of managing five different contractors who all blame each other when timelines slip.

I've also started working with landlords, small property management companies, and commercial premises. They especially appreciate having a reliable partner who can handle both structural work and ongoing upkeep. It's recurring revenue for us and peace of mind for them.

What's helped us grow:

1. Before and after documentation: Photos and client testimonials showing complete projects, not just isolated work. People can see the full transformation and understand what we deliver.
2. Being the one-stop solution: In a world where everyone specialises, sometimes being the generalist who can coordinate everything is the better offer.
3. Word of mouth from satisfied clients: When someone's renovation goes smoothly because they only had to deal with one company instead of five, they tell everyone they know.

What Actually Makes T Militao Carpentry Different

Look, every trade business says they're reliable and high quality. Here's what actually sets us apart based on what clients tell me:

• We integrate multiple services: You need carpentry, cleaning, and property maintenance? One call, one company, one accountable supplier. When something goes wrong, you know exactly who to talk to.
• We build and maintain: Most carpenters build something and disappear. We stick around for the ongoing care. That long-term relationship is different from the typical trade approach.
• Consistent standards across everything: Whether we're building your fitted kitchen or cleaning your property afterwards, you get the same level of quality and professionalism. We don't phone in the "extra" services.
• Clear communication throughout: You know the scope, the cost, the timeline, and how different trades overlap. I'm obsessive about clarity because surprises cost everyone time and money.
• Actual craftsmanship: I came up learning traditional joinery. The work we do is built properly, not just made to look good for six months.

What I've Learned Running This Business

If you're thinking about starting a trade or property services business, here's what I'd tell you:

1. Start with one thing you're genuinely good at - Build your reputation there first. Expand into adjacent services only when actual demand appears, not because it seems like a good idea.
2. Formalise your standards early - Checklists, client communication processes, quality control. Write it all down before you think you need to. Future you will thank present you.
3. Separate teams when you expand - Don't expect the same person to be brilliant at everything. Cleaning crew, woodworking crew, clear roles and expectations for each.
4. Package services strategically - Full property overhauls, renovation bundles, whatever makes sense. Higher value clients see the benefit of hiring one company for multiple services.
5. Invest in systems before you need them - Scheduling, client management, job tracking. It feels like overkill when you're small, but you'll hit a wall without it.

What I'd Do Differently Starting Over

Hindsight makes everything obvious, right? Here's what I'd change. I'd document client journeys much earlier, including how a renovation package actually works, how cleaning connects to carpentry, and what the timeline looks like. That documentation would help clients understand what they're buying and set proper expectations from day one. I'd create more visual case studies from the beginning with photos and maybe some time-lapse videos showing integrated projects from start to finish. People understand what you do better when they can see it, not just read about it. I'd invest in proper systems sooner, such as scheduling software, CRM, and client portals. When you're managing multiple services and multiple teams, spreadsheets stop cutting it pretty quickly. I should have upgraded earlier instead of hitting breaking point first.

Where I'm Taking T Militao Carpentry Next

I'm deepening our packaged service offerings. "Renovation and Refresh" bundles that combine carpentry, finish work, cleaning, and maintenance into one clear package with one price. Makes it easier for clients to understand what they're getting.

I'm also building relationships with property managers and real estate agents so we become their go-to recommendation for full-service property work. Those partnerships could be steady work for us and reliable service for them.

My plans for the next few years:

1. Build out the team properly - Either direct hires or a network of subcontractors who meet the T Militao standard. That lets us take on larger projects without sacrificing quality.
2. Create better content - Project reveals, maintenance tips, craftsmanship showcases. Show people what good work looks like and attract clients through web visibility instead of just relying on referrals.
3. Expand packaged services - More structured offerings so clients can see clear options and pricing, not just "call us and we'll figure it out."
4. Strengthen property management partnerships - That recurring revenue stream is more predictable than one-off projects, and it's win-win when done right.

The fundamentals won't change though. Quality craftsmanship, reliable service, clear communication, and being the one company clients can call for everything property-related.

FAQs for T Militao Carpentry

What makes T Militao Carpentry different from a standard carpenter?

Unlike most carpenters who only handle woodwork, T Militao Carpentry integrates bespoke joinery with property maintenance and cleaning services. This means you get one reliable, accountable contact for multiple needs, saving you the stress of coordinating different contractors for your project.

Can I hire you for just cleaning or maintenance, or only for carpentry?

Yes, absolutely. While they specialise in offering bundled services for complete property care, you can hire them for a single service. Whether you need a custom fitted kitchen, regular property maintenance, or a one-off deep clean, they apply the same high standards to every job.

How did the business expand beyond just carpentry?

The expansion was driven by you, the client. After completing carpentry projects, clients repeatedly asked for help with cleaning and general maintenance. Instead of sending them elsewhere, Toby decided to build out these services to provide a complete, seamless solution under one roof.

What kind of properties do you work on?

They work on a wide range of properties. This includes private homes needing renovations or bespoke joinery, as well as commercial premises and properties managed by landlords who need a dependable partner for both structural work and ongoing upkeep.

How do you manage projects that require multiple trades?

By offering multiple services directly, they eliminate the communication problems that often arise when you're managing several different contractors. They coordinate all the work internally, ensuring timelines are met and that every part of the job, from construction to cleaning, is handled professionally.