The survey of 2000 nationally representative UK citizens delved into client preferences regarding interactions and hospitality with tradespeople.

Almost half (45%) of client respondents indicated a neutral stance on having a chat with tradespeople, while a quarter (24%) welcomed friendly conversations with tradespeople. Generally positive worker-client rapport is favoured, a minority of homeowners expressed a preference for minimal conversation, with 17% of homeowners not wishing to talk much to tradespeople while their on a job. 

The survey of 570 tradespeople indicated that tradespeople may be friendlier than the clients they are working for, with the majority (71%) of tradespeople not minding a chat with a client, and 22% liking it. Only a very small amount (7%) of tradespeople did not like having a chat. 

While this a point on which both group seem to be able to find common ground the survey reveals more contencious elements to tradespeople and customers interactions. 

When clients were asked what behaviour by tradespeople they would most complain about:

• 33% voted for leaving a mess in their work area and not cleaning up 
• 26% voted for showing up late to work.
• 23% voted for raising the price after one was already agreed. 

In turn, when tradespeople were asked about clients:

• 46% voted for clients not paying on time
• 35% voted for clients attempting to reduce the agreed payment
• 33% voted for when client had not cleaned the work area before they arrival
• 25% voted for when clients asked for additional services which was not agreed ahead of time
• 21% voted for when clients lingered around and watched them work

Clearly breaking financial agreements and keeping an area tidy are things that annoy both clients and tradespeople, as the results reflect. 

Tradie Etiquette Report