Mind Your Spanners! Here’s how to treat your tradesperson to ensure a great experience for all

Most visits from a tradesperson go off without a hitch - but new research from Checktrade has shown that eight in ten tradespeople say that in the past, they have experienced frustration with homeowners due to them not quite getting the etiquette right when it comes to having workers in their home.

The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

Checkatrade has compiled a guide on ’good manners’ when it comes to ensuring your tradespeople are as happy with their experience in your home, as you are with their work:

Don’t forget the cuppa

Offering a tradesperson a tea, coffee, or glass of water may seem obvious, but incredibly the research - amongst over 500 tradespeople - found that on four out of ten jobs, they don’t get offered one. This isn’t just about hydration (most tradespeople will come armed with their own drinks) - it’s a way to get things off on the right foot.

While more than six in ten tradespeople say it is ‘good etiquette’ to offer refreshments, they certainly don’t expect to be waited on. On average they say being offered a drink a couple of times a day - ideally with a biscuit if you have any - will keep them more than happy.

Talking of getting things off on the right foot - don’t expect builders to leave theirs unprotected. Many builders say they have been asked to remove shoes in a property. While builders will generally have shoe covers in case they need to walk around your home, bear in mind that the room they are working in is technically a ‘building site’ and wearing foot protection is a health and safety requirement.

Let them focus on their job

It is amazing how many people expect builders to do jobs they are not there for. The research showed that one in ten tradespeople have been asked to keep an eye on a child by a customer and a similar number have been asked to help look after a pet.

Furthermore, tradespeople say ‘can you justs’ are a real issue - they are asked to take a look at something they were not called out for (or being paid for) on around a third of jobs.

Use it or loo-se it

Around one in five builders say they’ve been previously asked not to use the loo in a customer's home. Using a toilet is a fairly basic need. Feel free to ask builders to use a specific toilet in your home, but an outright loo ban isn’t the way to go. When you gotta go, you gotta go!

Manners cost nothing

The biggest frustration tradespeople have with customers is them ‘having unrealistic expectations of the cost of a job’. There is an easy way to get around this - homeowners can use Checkatrade’s Job Estimate Calculator, which gives them a clear idea of costs from the get-go and helps ensure everyone is on the same page.

It is also important to remember that tradespeople are experts. The second biggest gripe tradespeople have with customers is when they try to tell them how to do their job. Just like you wouldn’t expect someone to tell you how to do your job, it’s best to trust them to do theirs.

How to be a superstar customer

What will leave a tradesperson really looking forward to returning to your home in future? The research shows they really do not ask for much! Here’s the top five things they say will keep them happy:

Pay them promptly and on time - when was the last time your salary was late going into your bank account? And think of the issues it would cause you if it didn’t

Trust their recommendations - they don’t expect you to agree with everything they say, but remember - they know what they are talking about

Don’t hover over them - no one likes working under a microscope

Let them use your toilet - as already covered, it’s a pretty basic need!

Praise them for good work - tradespeople take a huge amount of pride in what they do. Most homeowners are quick to say when they are not happy with something. If you think they have done a brilliant job - let them know and their day will finish on a high!