A survey of over 1,500 tradespeople across the UK, undertaken by Travis Perkins, has revealed that the vast majority are optimistic on their near-term prospects with increased demand from homeowners for projects designed to reduce energy consumption offsetting the pressures they are experiencing as a result of rising fuel costs.
71% of respondents are seeing an increased level of demand in the next few months from homeowners for projects designed to make their homes more energy efficient, such as improved insulation for cavity walls, lofts, walls and ceilings as well as other renewable energy sources.
Over nine in ten (93%) respondents to the survey believe their workloads will increase or remain the same over the next two months, while over two thirds (61%) expect their materials purchasing requirements to increase.
The impact of rising petrol and diesel costs has also altered how the UK’s tradespeople are operating, with eight in ten saying they have changed how they do business. This includes passing on higher fuel costs to customers when pricing projects (39%), choosing to work more locally (31%), and requesting that products be delivered rather than collected (29%).
Tradespeople are also increasingly turning towards technology to help them combat higher prices with 12% saying that they are holding more virtual visits with clients instead of visiting them in person.
>>Read more about Travis Perkins here.
