Tradespeople in the North East are being urged to be clearer with their prices, after more than half of tradespeople (56%) revealed that the most common question they are asked by customers is based on the cost of their services.
According to the research of tradespeople, ranging from electricians, plumbers and heating engineers to builders and gardeners, it was also revealed that just over a fifth of customers were most interested in availability (21%), with the range of services they provide being the third most common question asked (6%).
Other common questions asked by customers included whether the tradesperson could provide references (5%), the source of their materials (5%), if they are a family firm (4%) and if they used apprentices (3%).
The research was conducted by ‘HaMuch’, a new, pioneering comparison service created to help customers compare tradespeople, who are clear with their prices, as well as help tradespeople secure work.
HaMuch is able to provide the hourly and daily rates of tradespeople signed up to the service and allows customers to post feedback and rate the particular tradesperson or provider.
Tarquin Purdie, Founder and Managing Director of HaMuch, said: “It is clear that cost is a priority for customers when they’re looking to hire a tradesperson, given the resounding feedback from those in industry. Availability also factors into the equation, but the general consensus is that pricing is the most common question asked, and can make all the difference to customers when choosing a tradesperson.
“Therefore, being clear on price is proving to be increasingly important and HaMuch has been created to allow people to compare tradespeople with the advantage of viewing prices – a first for services of this nature. It also supports tradespeople by enabling them to be clear on their prices, with the ability to set them and remain in control, while acting as a key source of information for the customer.”
“We already have a vast network of companies and tradespeople signed up to the website, with support from a range of sponsors too, and I am hoping others will follow suit.”
*The research is based on a HaMuch survey of 328 tradespeople.