Tradesmen in south-east - unsung heroes?
A study into 500 tradesmen revealed that many go that extra mile for the people they work for. Almost one-fifth of local builders said they have taken a customer to hospital when they’ve had an accident.
One in eight have given first aid to a customer, one in 14 have taken a pregnant customer to the hospital when they’ve gone into labour; an impressive one in eight have helped deliver a baby.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThree-quarters of UK tradesmen have taken time out of their busy schedules to spend one-to-one time with customers they think might be lonely or in need of some company, with one tradesperson saying he has cooked Christmas dinner for a customer before.
The research commissioned by Origin, a British manufacturer of bi-fold doors, windows and blinds, found that many tradespeople are happy to do small things for customers that can make a big difference.
In fact, 33% of local tradesmen help out with DIY that is not part of the job they are doing, while over a quarter help customers by carrying shopping for them and heavy items. One in 12 have taken dogs for walks.
Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, said: “Tradesmen work in one of the most versatile environments, ever changing homes of the nation, and regularly get insight into the lives of people within their local communities.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“They are arguably in a great position of power and responsibility, not only to improve the environment in which we live, but caught up in incidents in our lives where we may need their assistance in more ways than one.”
A quarter of tradesmen in the south-east will help customers use their phone or computer and a fifth will even help assemble furniture. One in 12 has helped fix a broken down car or change a tyre.
And it’s not just in the home that many help out, with a quarter even taking letters and parcels to the post office, one in seven popping to the shop for customers and one in six running errands.
The study also found that two thirds of local tradesmen have observed an argument whilst at a customer’s house, and around one in eight claim to have witnessed a ‘spooky event’ while working at a customer’s home.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOne in three have come across old or dangerous work when carrying out a job, and fixed it without mentioning it to the customer.
The study also revealed that 88% of UK tradesmen would be more willing to go that step further for a customer if they made their job easier when visiting the home.
Top of the list was - ensuring the area was prepared for their visit, e.g. moving furniture; followed by the customer being honest about budget and, of course, offering the worker a cup of tea or coffee.
Ben Brocklesby added: “It’s great to hear that so many tradesmen are going that extra mile to deliver not only what is required of them, but exceeding customer expectations by performing heroic acts - they truly are unsung heroes of the home.”
Top Ten ways to get the best out of your tradesmen
Ensuring the environment is set up for their visit
Being honest about budget
Offering a cup of tea /coffee
Trusting the tradesmen’s advice
Making pleasant conversation
Keeping the pets out the way
Sorting parking before arrival
Offering a biscuit or snack on arrival
Allow them to play music
Providing them with a key to carry out the work
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTop Ten ways a tradesmen has gone above and beyond to help a customer
Changed a lightbulb
Fixed a squeaky door
Hung a picture
Help a customer understand how to use their mobile phone/computer
Taken a letter/parcel to the post office
Assembled furniture
Popped to the shop
Made recommendations on the property’s security
Run an errand
Helped fix a broken down car
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1 – Make our website your homepage
2 – Like our Facebook page
3 – Follow us on Twitter
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad4 – Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.