The nation’s plumbers are set to turn down jobs worth as much as £133 million over the coming months due to increased winter demand, according to a new survey on behalf of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The survey found that 67% of UK van drivers will turn down at least one job they quote for every month, with the leading reasons for turning down jobs include lack of availability to take on more work (38%), travel time to the job (37%), and economic viability (34%).
The months of November to February are the busiest for UK plumbers, as 85% see an increased demand for services versus milder months as temperatures tumble, causing boilers to fail or pipes to burst. This increased demand for plumbers will outstrip all other trades during the winter months, with one in four homeowners has reporting difficulty finding a reliable plumber.
Data shows that the average cost of repairing a burst pipe during the months of November to February is £330 (including materials). With an estimated 150,000 qualified plumbers currently operating in the UK, that equates to almost £133 million in lost revenue as demand outweighs supply.
Craig Cavanagh, National Fleet Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, comments: “With plumbers so sought after during the cold months, it is more important than ever that the trade minimise downtime, and make it to as many call-outs as they can. Our customers can benefit from 24-hour roadside assistance, mobile servicing and extended opening hours, offering peace of mind during the busy period.”
For more information on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ range of products and support, visit one of our local Van Centres, or read more here: www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.
