Ever wondered which trades are the most eco-friendly? Or what you can do to increase your own green credentials?
Even if it’s never crossed your mind, as a tradesperson it’s valuable to know that sustainability is a topic that consumers are increasingly interested in. Information such as the most environmentally conscious trades, how tradespeople are turning greener, and which eco-home upgrades are seeing the highest growth in homeowner demand are all revealed in new research from the find-a-tradesperson platform Rated People.
The analysis was run as part of the recently released 2023 edition of the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report. Thousands of homeowners and tradespeople from around the UK were surveyed, and 1.1 million home renovation jobs placed by UK homeowners on Rated People's platform were analysed.
Let's explore what was in the report and which trades are ticking all the boxes regarding sustainability.
As people look for ways to live more sustainably and lower the cost of their energy bills, the demand from homeowners for eco-friendly house upgrades has significantly increased over the past two years.
In addition to looking for ways to make their homes greener, over one-third (34%) of UK homeowners say they would be more inclined to choose a tradesperson if they were environmentally conscious. As a result, it is more crucial than ever for tradespeople to focus on their environmental credentials.
According to this year's analysis by Rated People, Electricians are the most dedicated to sustainability, with nearly nine in ten (86%) adjusting their trade companies to make them greener. Second, with 78% making sustainable adjustments, are Handypeople. Builders (64%) are in fifth place, followed by Gardeners (71%) and Bathroom Installers (75%).
Here are the percentages of each trade currently attempting to make their trade business greener and more sustainable:
More than 78% of UK tradespeople say they will modify their operations and working methods in order to be kinder to the environment this year. Over half (59%) say it's because they care about the state of the planet, and 42% believe that consumers want trade firms to be more environmentally conscious.
Over fifty percent of UK tradespeople (52%) say they plan to take on more local jobs in 2023 to minimise travel time and save on fuel, while 4 in 10 (41%) think they'll start providing quotes online to cut down on time spent on the road. To increase their businesses' sustainability and environmental friendliness, tradespeople will also be upgrading their recycling techniques, using used parts whenever possible, and beginning to drive electric vehicles.
To find out why you should consider driving an electric van for your business, read our article here.
Rated People spoke with homeowners who will be installing eco-friendly improvements this year to find out which ones they are considering. The study assembled a list of the top 20 eco-adaptations that will be most in demand in 2023 for tradespeople. The list gives us a clear idea of where tradespeople will need to diversify their skill sets and take advantage of a growing focus on sustainability.
The top eco upgrades inevitably involve energy use and the reduction in overall costs. The planned jobs customers want doing include smart meters, draught-proofing, more insulation, solar panels and EV charging points. Larger jobs to better prepare homes for energy usage had heat pumps and underfloor heating as desired home improvements.
Read our blogs here for more information on why your business should look for training and development in more sustainable working practices.
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In this guide, we'll delve into the risks shopfitters face, explore the types of insurance that can offer protection and explain why many shopfitters trust Rhino Trade Insurance with their business needs.
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