A staggering 90% of tradespeople now own a smartphone or tablet, according to a new survey by Logic4training.

The survey found that electricians and gas engineers were most likely to have embraced the mobile technology, with plumbers falling behind in their use of apps, having a website and embracing social media.


To see the full infographic, click here.


The statistics show just how integral mobile internet devices have become in all of our lives in a very short time-frame, when you consider the iPhone was launched less than 10 years ago.


Who uses apps at work?



  • 83% of electricians

  • 72% of gas engineers

  • 67% of oil installers

  • 44% of plumbers

  • 18% of all the recipients use apps to take payment 


Smartphone or tablet? Many of you are using both!



  • 40% of gas engineers

  • 33% of electricians

  • 33% of oil installers

  • 0% of plumbers


Just over half of all respondents said they had a website, with electricians leading the way when it comes to mobile-friendly sites - a must for reaching customers and doing well in Google searches. At the moment, all groups get some business from the internet and some from traditional mediums, such as word of mouth and print advertising - only plumbers report that most of their work still comes 'offline'.


When it comes to social media, the building services industry is lagging behind compared with other sectors, with the vast majority of electricians and plumbers still not having a Facebook page for their business. Gas engineers faired a little better, with nearly half using a Facebook page and nearly a third on twitter.


Jonny Lawrence, Logic4training's digital marketing expert, said: "This survey provides a snap shot of a building services engineering sector which is embracing technology to help make jobs easier and win new business. While, for some, more traditional means still lead the way - and are obviously very effective - using the internet will eventually become unavoidable and is a definite positive for our industry. The next step for many of the recipients is to get a website sorted and have a go at social media; it's never been easier to target hundreds, if not thousands of potential customers, in a quick and cost-effective manner."