The coronavirus pandemic saw many of us confined to our homes, with everyone encouraged to remain within their four walls for their safety. With a large number ofpeople on furlough or out of work, attention turned to hobbies and pastimes we could do indoors, including home renovations.
Time for renovations
For many people, lockdown at home offered much–needed time to focus on home improvements. Everything from small paint jobs to larger projects like extensions – as a nation, we did it all. However, those less inclined to pick up a paintbrush had to wait until lockdown was over to get professionals to help with their plans.
If you were fortunate enough to get a tradesperson soon after lockdown – lucky you! However, some unlucky people are still waiting for help in their homes;tradespeople are still wading through a backlog of customers today. As such, if you need the help of a tradesperson, you might be waiting longer than you’d hoped.
The statistics
The Federation of Master Builders revealed that 55% of all respondents to their survey reported increased workloads in the first three months of 2021, particularly in maintenance and improvement disciplines.
Likewise, over a third of those surveyed suggested they were having difficulty hiring bricklayers, carpenters or joiners.
Research suggests that 8% of all vacancies in the UK as of September 2021 were in the construction and trade industry with a higher salary than the national average. After builders, electricians were the most sought-after tradespeople.
This indicates a potentially lucrative business opportunity for individuals with these skills.
Start your own business
If you’re a tradesperson and you’re employed by someone else, consider going solo. Given that quality trade services are in high demand, there is no better time to get started.
With an abundance of people needing the help of an electrician, for example, gaining clients should feel easier in the current climate.
To give your new business the best start possible, you’ll need the right protection and plans. It’s important that before you start any work make sure you get electricians insurance, as you will need to invest a significant amount of money into your materials, tools, and perhaps even a van. Should the worst happen, insurance should cover you for things such as theft and public liability.
What’s more, marketing your business to get your name out there can increase demand for your services even further. Demonstrate to your competitors that you’re serious and win more work so your business remains successful.
