Qualified plumbers and heating engineers are among UK tradesmen who are working harder than ever, with many expecting business to boom over the next 12 months, according to new research released by trade supplier, Plumbfix.
Well over half (61%) of all plumbers and other tradesmen questioned by Plumbfix’s umbrella organisation, Screwfix, in its Trade Pulse report expect business to get even better for them in 2015, with more than 80% of those questioned having enough work to keep them busy. In comparison, only 73% of tradesmen questioned in 2012 felt that this was the case, a positive sign that business for UK tradesmen is continuing to improve.
This optimistic outlook is supported by the fact that more than one third (39%) of tradesmen are providing more quotes for prospective jobs compared to the same time last year, a trend which is continuing to improve year-on-year. In fact, one in ten already feel their current workload is more than they can handle.
Tradesmen are also positive about the general economy, confident that it will continue to improve over the next 12 months.
Andrew Livingston, CEO of Plumbfix, said: “The latest findings from our Trade Pulse report reflect what we are hearing from customers in our stores every day; business is good but the future is looking even better. The optimism felt for 2015 is particularly encouraging for the UK economy and if tradesmen’s predictions for business growth come to fruition, there is likely to be a positive impact on employment too.”
Trade Pulse is a monthly index which surveys more than 500 UK tradesmen including qualified plumbers and heating engineers and tracks work levels and optimism among the trade.