A new Cuppa Calculator has been created to help Brits navigate the minefield of how many hot drinks to offer tradespeople based on how long they’re in your home and how chatty they are
Ever wondered how many cuppas to offer a tradesperson?(Image: SWNS)
Ever pondered over how many brews to offer a tradesperson? Use a new calculator to find out. You’ll need to enter how long they’ll be at your property, both in hours and days – as well as how chatty you expect them to be. Based on your responses, the tool will disclose how many drinks should be offered.
This follows research which showed that the average homeowner offers tradespeople three cups of tea per day – but 21% have never brought out the biscuits.
A survey of 2,000 adults who have employed a tradie by Virgin Money revealed that 61% ‘always’ offer a drink, while 18% are more selective.
However, one in 20 (6%) go into overdrive, offering more than five hot beverages a day. Although 36% have made the initial offer hoping they say no.
Three quarters (77%) view offering a drink as a polite and respectful gesture. However, 48% draw the line at anything beyond a cuppa, believing they should bring their own biscuits.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Money, which has launched its M Account for Business Trades exclusively for tradespeople, which includes perks such as cashback on trade and home improvement store spending, plus discounts on mobile and gadget insurance and business insurance.
Simon Norman, head of business bank at Virgin Money, which is also treating customers to a free monthly voucher for a popular high street coffee chain, commented to say: “Anyone that’s had to call upon a tradesperson has found themselves in the situation of when and how often to offer up a brew.
“Our research has shown that for many, it’s a no brainer and they’re quick to offer up a drink. But there are factors that sway whether they’d like to or not, such as familiarity and professionalism – with many seemingly a lot more selective on opening up any biscuits.”
The main considerations on whether to offer a hot drink hinge on the duration of the tradesperson’s stay, their friendliness or approachability – and the weather conditions. According to the OnePoll.com data, 22% offer drinks to build rapport with the tradesperson.
Coffee, tea and water top the list of beverages offered, with 6% of customers having received feedback from a tradie about the quality of the hot drink provided.
A quarter (23%) have offered a beverage only to be declined, leading them to not offer again – while 30% opt for the ‘leave everything out’ approach, allowing tradespeople to help themselves if they fancy a drink.
Plumbers, electricians and gas engineers are the most frequently hired trades over the past year, with respondents typically calling upon two different types of tradespeople during that period.
It has come to light that 53% of people acknowledge the challenging nature of tradespeople’s jobs, citing the physical demands, complexity of tasks, and the responsibility of managing their own business.
Additionally, 53% have noted the long and irregular working hours faced by tradespeople, making a cup of tea an especially appreciated gesture.
Simon Norman from Virgin Money, which recently introduced a business current account tailored for tradespeople that includes breakdown cover, no monthly fees, and complimentary day-to-day digital banking, commented to say: “It can be hard work to be a self-employed tradesperson.”
He further explained: “On top of the expert work taken on and long hours, they’re also managing the paperwork that comes with running your own business.”
Norman concluded by saying: “That’s why we’ve launched this particular account, built specifically to support tradespeople and recognise the value of what they do.”
