Glaswegian tradespeople are the most in-demand across the UK, with 42% reporting an increase in work over the past year.
That’s according to a new study by designer radiator specialist BestHetaing, which also found 22% of tradespeople nationwide have seen a surge in demand for their services, leading to longer working hours.
The top five cities with the highest demand for tradespeople are Glasgow (42%), Leeds (40%), Southampton (35%), London (27%), and Liverpool (24%).
The research highlights the shift in demand for trades across UK cities over the last 12 months, with a quarter experiencing a rise in interest for their services, whilst some have had to look for other ways to stay in business after a loss in customers.
Across the nation, almost a quarter of tradespeople have increased the length of their working week so that they can fulfil demand (22%). A concern that’s adding to the pressure of additional work is that a fifth (20%) of tradespeople have found they can’t get jobs done quickly due to a delay in sourcing materials.
Tradespeople in Glasgow have seen the biggest hike in demand for their trade with over two fifths (42%) claiming they can’t keep up. Despite the increase, 38% have been forced to inflate their prices due to concern about the rising cost of materials.
These price hikes have influenced over a third (35%) of customers across the UK to ask for discounted work.
Leeds has seen the second largest increase in demand for tradespeople with two in five (40%) saying they’ve had more jobs in the past year compared to previous years. However, like Glasgow, a whopping 60% are worried about the inflation for materials.
Southampton ranks third with over a third (35%) experiencing a higher demand for their trade, although when questioned about whether they think they will lose customers in the next year, almost a quarter (24%) are very concerned.
In fourth is London and despite the rise in demand, over four in ten (42%) have made the decision to put their prices up. This correlates with the increasingly high costs of materials with 43% saying this is a worry for the future.
Rounding off the top 5 is Liverpool, where the increase in demand is putting strain on tradespeople with just under a third (29%) admitting to working overtime weekly. Almost half (48%) have been forced to put their prices up.
At the other end of the spectrum, tradespeople in Sheffield have noticed a crunch with only one in 20 experiencing a rise in demand for their trade. With a fear that customers won’t be able to afford them, 43% are doing discounted work to survive.
Marek Kokocki, buying director of BestHeating, comments: “It’s great to see tradespeople in Glasgow experiencing endless work with many struggling to keep up. However, it is also concerning to see the number of tradespeople with worries and concerns about their future still, especially Sheffield as business slows down for them. It’s important that we continue to utilise the services of tradespeople and use their knowledge to keep our homes safe, in working order and heated over the winter months.”
