A new study by the trades business insurance specialist Markel Direct has revealed some of the homeowner behaviours that tradespeople find most frustrating. The study, which surveyed 500 UK tradespeople on their experiences of working in someone’s home, found that the biggest frustrations centre around disruptions to agreed work.
Joint top of the list is being asked to carry out additional tasks not included in the original quote (cited by 31% of tradespeople), with nearly half (47%) saying they experience this regularly. Hovering or closely watching work is equally unpopular, also flagged by 31% as a key annoyance.
Price negotiation follows closely, with over a quater (26%) of tradespeople identifying it as problematic, and just behind at 25% was not being home at the agreed-upon time.
Beyond inconvenience, some behaviours can pose a genuine risk to both tradespeople and homeowners. Pets or children getting in the way (23%), alongside workspaces that haven’t been properly cleared (18%), can create potentially hazardous environments where accidents, damage or injury are more likely.
Poor behaviour can also cost homeowners repeat access to tradespeople. More than half (57%) of tradespeople say they have chosen not to work with a customer again due to their behaviour, while nearly a third (32%) of tradespeople reporting they have been blamed for damage they did not cause.
Not surprisingly, when it comes to what tradespeople value most from their customers, paying promptly ranks highest (47%). Following closely behind were being home and ready at the agreed time (45%), alongside trusting professional advice (44%).
Commenting on the findings, Rob Rees, divisional director at Markel Direct, says: “Many of the challenges tradespeople face in people’s homes come down to preparation and disruption. When workspaces are cluttered or pets and children are moving around, it not only slows the job down but can also increase the risk of injury or damage.
“Homeowners can make a real difference by clearing the area in advance, limiting interruptions and agreeing the scope of work upfront. These simple steps help jobs run more efficiently and can reduce the likelihood of issues that lead to delays, disputes or insurance claims.”
