Research from Ford Pro reveals that 50% of tradespeople admit to working harder in the homes of friendlier hosts and are more likely to return for a follow-up job.
The survey of over 500 trade workers and 1,000 homeowners explored what causes strain on this relationship, and more positively, what helps foster a good bond between the two parties.
Some key findings have uncovered how simple gestures of friendliness and hospitality can make a big difference.
While the research found that both sides agreed that offering a hot drink and making small talk are still the most important gestures for making visiting workers feel comfortable on the job, there are other factors on both sides that can help foster a positive relationship.
According to UK tradespeople, for example, while customers are keeping up the tradition of offering a hot drink when they have work done in their home (70%), nearly 40% say they don’t have a friendly chat. In addition, 56% of tradies don’t get offered the use of the toilet, and three quarters haven’t arranged a parking space or permit for their Transit before arriving at a job.
The survey also revealed the things that annoy homeowners and tradespeople about each other. For installers, feeling rushed to finish quickly (60%) is the biggest source of tension, this is followed by unfriendliness (53 per cent) and hovering (49%).
On the homeowners’ side meanwhile, their biggest annoyances are installers turning up late (70 per cent) and not cleaning up properly (62%), and a third say they become frustrated when they feel their installers are rushing in and out of jobs and not taking enough care.
Just under half (41%) of tradespeople even admitted to giving nicknames to their clients, with a third saving these down as contacts on their phone – one in 10 of which were positive. Nicknames such as “Mr Know All”, “Sir Moan-a-lot”, “The Guvnor”, “Grumpy Greg” and “Happy Joe” were included on the list of names given to homeowners by installers.
To highlight the importance of the relationship between tradespeople and homeowners, Ford Pro has enlisted the help of Tom Skinner, entrepreneur and TV personality, to give a tradesperson the warmest possible welcome.
Tom Skinner says: “Great Britain is full of lovely people, and we should all be looking out for each other and treating people with respect. I love having tradespeople in my home, and when you find one that’s the absolute guv’nor you must be good to them. Give them your best biscuits, keep them out of trouble with traffic wardens and don’t hover over them for goodness sake, BOSH!”
Ford Pro’s “Dream Job” campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of honing strong relationships between tradespeople and homeowners, focusing on the key pain points between the two sides.
