New research by electrical training and certification body NICEIC has revealed a shift in the way householders interact with tradespeople, with relationships becoming more transactional and less personal.
The data also highlights a generational divide in how people interact with tradespeople working in their homes.
The findings come at a time when mental health is a serious concern within the trades, with four out of five tradespeople (82%) reporting they have experienced stress, anxiety and mental ill health because of their work.
NICEIC asked the public about a range of kind and polite gestures and found only 63% of people would offer a tradesperson a cup of tea. Older people, aged 55 or over, are much more likely to make this kind gesture (81%) than younger people, with only 45% of people aged 25-34 admitting they would do the same.
Almost half of people (46%) wouldn’t let a tradesperson use their toilet. Respondents aged 55+ are the most likely to do so (71%), but only 34% of 25–34-year-olds would offer the use of their loo. This means many tradespeople are forced to find somewhere offsite to go to the toilet, interrupting their work.
Regionally, those in the Southeast and East of England are most likely to offer tradespeople a cup of tea (72%). This is 10% percent higher than the national average. At a city level, Bristolians are the most hospitable in the UK, with 83% saying they would brew tea for a tradesperson they had hired.
People in Greater London are the least likely to let tradespeople use their toilet (36%) compared to in the East of England where 63% would.
The research also highlights that young people prefer to steer clear of casual conversation with tradespeople they’ve hired. Only 33% of people aged 16-24 and 39% of people aged 25-34 would initiate a chat, whereas 63% of the over 55s would.
Paul Collins, technical director at NICEIC, comments: “There’s a clear generational divide in how people interact with tradespeople. Young people are less likely to offer up a cup of tea, let them use their toilet, and strike up a casual conversation. This could mean friendly gestures become a thing of the past.”
Danny Mouskovias, learning and wellbeing manager at NICEIC, explains the impact this could have on mental health within the industry: “Tradesmen often work alone for long periods of time which can be isolating. If client interactions are becoming increasingly transactional, it can increase feelings of disconnectedness.
“Seemingly small gestures, like making a cup of tea or engaging in casual conversation, can have a significant impact on the day-to-day experience of tradespeople, positively impacting their wellbeing. It also helps to break the ice for both parties, creating a more amicable and relaxed environment to get the job done.”
Tom Bickerton, MD, Bickerton Electrical Services, says: “The local electrician is fading away compared to when I first entered the trade. Homeowners are busier and are often working from home, so work is discreet, and conversation can be brief. Many electricians also now work for management companies spread across a large geographical area, making the trade more results driven and less focused on delivering a personal service. That does leave space for local companies like us, to build relationships with our customers over time and focus on repeat clients we work with for many years.”
“I don’t expect to be offered a drink when I go into houses because they’re paying for my time. But if I do get offered a drink, it’s a bonus. It’s like an olive branch – someone saying, ‘You’ve come out and done some work for me, here’s my way of saying thank you.”
The findings also suggest a level of mistrust exists among homeowners and renters towards tradespeople.
Around 16% of respondents said they have or would watch tradespeople closely while they worked, a behaviour most common among those aged 25–34 (26%), but far less so for those aged 55+ (only 3%).
Additionally, some homeowners choose to monitor tradespeople using security cameras, a response most common among 25-34-year-olds (25%) and least likely among those aged 55+ (3%).
