SECTOR INSIGHT
Revealed :
The UK cities with the longest waiting lists for trade work
• Roofers have the longest waiting lists , with an average of nine weeks
• The people of Manchester currently have the longest wait for tradespeople ( six weeks )
• Expert shares advice for tradespeople on keeping staff and customers happy
» THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR A tradesperson in the UK is now almost five weeks , according to new research .
The study by IronmongeryDirect , the UK ’ s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery , surveyed workers across the nation to reveal the length of waiting lists in the industry and the trades with the greatest demand .
One in six ( 17 %) say they can ’ t see customers for at least two months .
Staff shortages is the biggest factor , with more than a quarter ( 28 %) of tradespeople saying that this contributes to their long waiting lists . Finding staff with the right skillset is also an obstacle for many ( 16 %), as are delays for parts ( 17 %). Roofers are the most affected by this latter issue ( 40 %).
Workers in Manchester have the longest average waiting list time , with an average of six weeks , followed closely by Leeds and Liverpool ( five weeks ). The shortest current wait for a tradesperson is three weeks , which is in Sheffield .
Waiting times are longer in some trades than others , with roofers having the longest average ( nine weeks ).
The trades where workers have the longest waiting times , on average , are : 1 . Roofer - nine weeks 2 . Locksmith - eight weeks 3 . Joiner - seven weeks 4 . Scaffolder - six weeks 5 . Carpenter - five weeks 6 . Builder - five weeks 7 . Electrician - five weeks 8 . Landscaper - five weeks 9 . Plasterer - four weeks 10 . Caretaker / Maintenance - four weeks
To help tradespeople keep customers happy while experiencing long waiting times , Ellis Osborn , Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect , has shared tips for periods of high demand .
1 ) Prioritising your waitlist
“ Prioritising your waitlist is crucial for ensuring your business runs smoothly . Review your list of jobs and identify those which are most urgent so you can complete these first . You may have an emergency call out , or some customers who have been waiting a number of weeks . Whoever you choose to prioritise , it ’ s important to keep all staff and customers updated and be transparent about why you have to push work back .”
2 ) Keeping in touch with customers
“ No matter how long your wait list is , it ’ s crucial to keep a constant line of communication with your customers to let them know when planned work is due to commence . Be honest about waiting times from the beginning , and open about potential delays , such as materials shortages , or larger jobs taking longer than expected . Being clear with people will help to avoid any confusion and keep them happy .”
3 ) Quality assurance
“ The most effective way to keep customers happy is to ensure that when you do get to their job , you do it to the highest quality possible , justifying their long wait for your time . Nothing is more important than doing the job well , so providing a brilliant service is key to a satisfied client base .”
For more expert advice on how to manage long waiting lists and keep customers happy , visit : How to manage your waiting lists effectively at www . ironmongerydirect . co . uk
48
APRIL 2024
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