Forget the Builders’ Brew: Britain’s Tradies Reveal What They Really Want on the Job

The iconic “builders’ tea” is officially under threat as Britain’s tradespeople swap cuppas for a coffee and a bacon roll to get through a hectic workday.

A nationwide survey of over 500 installers conducted by Ideal Heating reveals they are a profession working under intense pressure, with more than half (56%) either rarely taking a proper break or waiting until lunchtime or later for their first rest.

Furthermore, 56% admit they are simply too busy to take the break they would like to at least three days a week, with nearly three in ten (29%) missing out every working day.

Yet when tradespeople do get the chance to put their tools down, they aren’t asking for much, prompting a call for homeowners to show a little British hospitality when having work done at home.

What Tradies Really Want When Visiting Your Home
Nearly three-quarters of installers (72%) say their ideal workday break is just 15 to 30 minutes long. When asked to make the essential ingredients for the ultimate break, treadepeople voted for three simple comforts;

Something good to eat (56%)
A good coffee (44%)
Ten minutes of peace and quiet (42%)
Tradies are Ditching the Builders Brew
If you reach for the teabags whenever work is being done in your house, you might want to ask first!

In a major shift for stereotypical British trade culture, coffee has officially beaten tea as installers’ favourite workday drink, chosen by 45% compared to 33% for tea and 29% for a glass of water.

Bacon Roll Crowned Kind of Breakfast
If you really want to make your tradesperson’s day, offering a breakfast bite can go a long way.

The classic bacon roll was crowned the nation’s favourite workday breakfast (29%), with a sausage breakfast roll the favourite among just 13% of respondents.

Top Tips to Keep Your Tradie Happy
With more than half of installers struggling to take the breaks they would like during the working week, Ideal Heating has shared a few simple ways homeowners can make life a little easier when work is being carried out in their homes.

1. Ask before putting the kettle on

Tea might be the traditional choice, but the research suggests it shouldn’t be assumed. Ask what they’d like to drink when they arrive, whether that’s tea, coffee or simply a glass of water.

2. Give them somewhere to take five

If possible, let your tradesperson know where they’re welcome to sit and take a break. With 42% saying ten minutes of peace and quiet is part of their ideal break, giving them a little space can be appreciated.

3. Don’t feel you need to put on a spread

You don’t need to provide breakfast or lunch, but if you’re planning on offering something, keep it simple. The humble bacon roll came out as the installers’ favourite workday breakfast in the survey, but offering a snack or a couple of biscuits might also be appreciated.

4. Make the basics clear when they arrive

Show them where the bathroom is, where they can get drinking water and anything else they may need during the day. It saves them from having to ask later.

5. Give them space to get on with the job

It’s natural to be interested in the work happening in your home, but allowing your tradesperson to concentrate without frequent interruptions can help them get on with the job while still being available if they need you.