What homeowners want in December – Trade business insights

Using our search data to benefit your business

If you’re new to this blog series, let us give you a brief outline of what it’s all about.

Every month we track back over the search data on the Checkatrade website from comparable months in previous years. Why? To help predict what trades and which projects might be in high demand for the month ahead.

In turn, our tradespeople get a heads up as to the demand they could expect, which can help with marketing and resourcing.

It’s not an exact science, but it gives a good indication of what homeowners might be searching for at this time of year.

Data from the #1 trade directory

The data we’re using is from our own website. Checkatrade is the place for homeowners looking for trusted tradespeople to complete projects around their home and garden.

• 8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t*
• Checkatrade is the most well-known sign of quality in the trade industry**

Because of this, we receive huge volumes of traffic each month from homeowners looking for your services, which we can use to help predict demand.

The best bit? If you know your services could soon see an increase in demand, you can use our flexible membership option to maximise your earning potential. Read on to learn more.

Which trades could see an increase in homeowner demand in December?

So let’s get into it. Which trades and what projects might homeowners be in need of this December?

Based on average search data from homeowners on the Checkatrade website between November and December in previous years, we predict the following trades could be heading into a busier spell during December ’22:

• Builder – 103.8k monthly searches***
• Builder – extensions/conversions – 13k monthly searches***
• Drain/sewer clearance – blocked drains – 5.1k monthly searches*** (up 15%) 
• Electrician – electric cookers – 4k monthly searches***

Note: these are average searches during the month of December over the past couple of years.

If you’re an electrician, you own a drain clearance firm, or a construction business (specifically extensions/conversions), read on to find out how our flexible membership can help you to cash in on this predicted increase.

Popular projects for homeowners in December

We know that builders, electricians, and drain clearance specialists could be looking at a busy month ahead, but what particular projects might homeowners be searching for in December? Let’s take a look.

Locksmiths (vehicle locksmiths) – up 39%****

As winter hits, the colder weather can cause locks to seize up and keys to snap. If you’re a vehicle locksmith, here’s how to take full advantage of this increase in demand:

1. Not yet a Checkatrade member?

Pass up to 12 checks to become an approved and guaranteed Checkatrade member. Simply click on the button below to get started.

2. Already a Checkatrade member?

As a Checkatrade member, take a few minutes to make sure your profile is optimised for search (i.e. that it can be easily found by homeowners looking for your services).

Also make sure your profile is engaging (to encourage homeowners to get in touch). Use our tips to help create a strong profile.

3. Want a greater volumer of this homeowner search for your locksmith business?

Checkatrade membership is tiered, allowing you to flex up and down depending on the volume of leads you wish to receive month-to-month. Flex up when you want more work, and flex back down when the diary is reaching capacity!

Learn more about flexible membership

TV aerials/satellite services – up 17%****

The winter weather can wreak havoc with TV aerials and satellites, so it’s no surprise to learn that homeowners could be in need of these services this December.

If your business offers TV aerial or satellite services, now’s the time to flex your Checkatrade membership up to receive a greater volume of leads.

Drain/sewer clearance (blocked drains) – up 15%****

You can rely on nature to keep you busy if you’re a drain/sewer clearance specialist. As the leaves fall from the trees in autumn, outside drains and sewers can become blocked.

Drains may even get blocked by people mistakenly pouring fat down their sinks and blocking it up. After all, it is winter, prime time to start cooking more roasts.

To make sure your business profile stands out on the Checkatrade website, make sure it’s optimised for search. This means it’ll appear high up in the results when homeowners are looking to unblock their drains, whether from leaves or fat and grease from roast dinners!

And don’t forget to upload reviews from satisfied customers – they really do help to get you noticed.

How to make sure your profile appears high in Checkatrade search

How to use this search data to your competitive advantage

To recap, if you’re already a Checkatrade member, here’s what you need to do to cash in on this anticipated increase in demand:

• Log in to your Checkatrade profile
• Optimise your profile for search
• Create a strong profile

If you want to receive more leads, contact our membership advisors to flex up your membership. You can flex back down when you need to.

If you’re not yet a Checkatrade member, what are you waiting for? This demand data has come from our website. This is where the homeowners are, looking for your services.

Start our checks to become an approved and guaranteed Checkatrade member now.

*Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021

**Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021

***Average search data for trade categories on checkatrade.com in the month of December 2020 and 2021

****Increase in average searches in the month of 2021 vs November 2020 & 2021 on Google as estimated by SEO tools