No one home? Tradespeople reveal the top 7 most annoying customer habits

No one home? Tradespeople reveal the top 7 most annoying customer habits

New research has revealed the most frustrating customer habits tradespeople have to endure whilst on the job.

The research, conducted by Ultra LEDs, found that customers not being at home after arranging a job tops the list for the most frustrating customer habit, as it not only wastes time but can also cost tradespeople money.

Coming a close second was customers who constantly ask for updates while someone is working on the job itself. Not being offered a drink made was also a common irk, coming in at number seven.

The top seven most annoying customer habits are:

Not being home

Topping the list of gripes according to the research is customers not being at home after agreeing a date and time for a job. Not only does this waste time, it can also cost a tradesperson money as this is time they could have spent on another job. With the majority of tradespeople being self-employed, any time spent not working is time they aren’t getting paid for.

Constantly asking for progress updates

When working on a job, it’s no surprise that customers constantly asking for progress updates can really irritate a tradesperson. The time it takes to complete a job can of course vary, so it’s not uncommon for jobs to take longer than initially expected. However, constantly asking for progress updates may result in the job taking even longer as the tradesperson is having to stop to explain what they’re doing and how long they think it’ll take.

Adding on extras

Coming in at number three is customers who wait for the tradesperson to arrive and then start adding to the list of agreed jobs by asking them to do additional tasks that have not been quoted for. This is bad enough, but what can make this situation even worse is if the customer is expecting the additional tasks to be done for free. It’s worth noting that most tradespeople quote for jobs by estimating how long they will take and also the cost of buying materials, and thus price jobs up accordingly. This means that if extra tasks are added on top, this could result in the tradesperson being late for their next job and/or incurring more costs themselves.

Not paying on time, or trying to bring the cost down after the work has been agreed

Late payments or asking for discounts after work has commenced can have a damaging impact on a tradespersons’ business, especially for those working for themselves or as part of a small team (particularly during a cost of living crisis). This behaviour can also have an impact on their ability to do more jobs or even pay their own bills, as the vast majority of tradespeople will pay for their own tools and materials ahead of the job. This means that anyone not paying on time, or asking for a reduction after the work has started, will be hitting the tradesperson’s bottom line. It could also impact their business as a whole if a number of jobs aren’t paid on time, as it could have a knock on effect as to when staff or suppliers get paid.

Getting harassed by a pet

Not everyone loves pets, especially if it’s an overly aggressive dog that’s barking constantly or just generally getting in the way of the tradesperson. That’s why this comes in at number five on the most annoying customer habits. Tradespeople want to get on with their job and they don’t need a pet harassing them; this could be everything from a dog standing and barking at them to a cat climbing up at them or constantly getting in their way. Not only is this occurrence irritating for the tradesperson, it can also potentially be dangerous (especially for the pet if they were to stand on something sharp or ingest something or for the tradesperson if they’re bitten or scratched).

Not having enough room to complete the job

Tradespeople don’t expect you to undertake a full spring clean just for them to be able to do the job, but they will need space to work and will usually have a lot of tools or equipment with them to enable them to complete the work. They will only allocate a certain amount of time for the job so it’s worth making sure none of that time is wasted or used to clear personal items out of the way so they’re able to complete the work.

Not being offered a drink

This one isn’t really annoying but more about common courtesy. However, it still annoyed enough tradespeople to make the list at number eight. For those working hard on the job, they may not have had a chance to stop all day if they’re busy so being offered a drink can be a life-saver. Even if it’s just a glass or water or a cup of tea, it can be enough to make their day.

Discussing the research, Tom Cain, Technical Engineer at Ultra LEDs, said, “As a tradesperson, customer interaction is a key part of the job but it can also be the most frustrating. When you’re on the job, the last thing you want is for the customer to be constantly asking for updates, being barked at by a dog or turning up for them not to be home when you’ve agreed a date and time.”

“If you’re having issues with your customers, it can be difficult to remain diplomatic. However, it’s important for both the business and your own personal reputation to remain professional.”

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Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

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