According to a new survey conducted by MyJobQuote.co.uk, as many as 65% of tradesmen have been asked to ‘perform duties outside of their job description’.
You may have gone to repair a leaking tap or broken boiler, but it seems that’s not all you’ve been asked to do by homeowners. As a tradesperson, when you’re looking to build up trust and rapport with clients, going above and beyond is a great way to generate repeat business and build long-term relationships. However, with that said surely there’s only so far one should go beyond the call of duty?
So what exactly is the British public making tradesman do and how many of these extra duties have you done? Here is the top 10 list of extra duties asked of tradespeople:
10. MOVE THINGS INTO THE ATTIC
Do you find yourself lumbered with client’s boxes that need to be carried to the loft? Well, you’re not alone as 8% of tradesman reveal that they’d been asked to do this
9.PURCHASE GROCERIES
Have you ever been sent down to Tesco to do the big shop? Apparently, it’s not as uncommon as you may think with 9% of tradespeople confirming it’s not just a pint of milk they are picking up for clients.
8. BABYSIT THE KIDS
Could you add ‘expert babysitter to your resume’ like the other 10% of tradesman? This may seem like a wind-up but apparently, it’s not uncommon for a tradesman to be asked to babysit their customer’s children.
7. MOVE FURNITURE
Like moving things into the attic, are you part of the 14% who have you been asked to move furniture?
6. SWEEP & VACUUM THE FLOOR
Do you go beyond leaving your clients place as you found it and do a thorough spring clean? Apparently, cheeky homeowners have asked 18% of surveyed tradesman to help with the housework.
5. TAKE THE BINS OUT
On your way out have you been asked to take a pile of rubbish? - 22% of those surveyed said they have.
4. DO THE WASHING UP
How many times have you been asked to get the Fairy liquid out by the clients? According to results, it seems as though 26% of tradespeople have started washing their own mug and ended up cleaning a banquet full of kitchenware.
3. ANSWER THE PHONE/ MAKE A PHONE CALL
If house phones are still a thing in your client’s house, then I guess you are like the 27% of tradesman who has been asked to answer the phone or even make a call.
2. MAKE A ROUND OF HOT DRINKS
Are you like the 36% of tradesman who have been asked to pop the kettle on? Well it seems not all homeowners think it’s polite to offer a cup of tea to a hardworking tradesperson.
1. ANSWER THE DOOR
Last but not least, do you regularly open the door for your customers like a whopping 61% of the tradesman?
Despite all these cheeky requests, 81% of tradesman surveyed said that they were perfectly fine with helping out and going the extra mile. So what do you think of this and how far would you go?