Travis Perkins : UK tradespeople hopeful about 2021 workloads

UK tradespeople hopeful about 2021 workloads

• Survey shows 87% expect workloads to increase or remain unchanged in 2021 versus 2020
• 36% expect to purchase more materials than usual in the next two months
• Notable current increases in projects to adapt homes with home offices, extensions and garden landscaping a key customer focus

15 February 2021: A survey of over 1,600 tradespeople across the country by Travis Perkins plc, the UK's largest supplier of building materials and equipment, has revealed that the vast majority are optimistic on their prospects for 2021.

Almost nine in ten (87%) of respondents, who represent a snapshot of the nation's builders, electricians, plumbers, joiners and other tradespeople, believe their workloads will increase or remain the same this year versus 2020, while more than a third (36%) expect their materials purchases to increase in the next two months.

The results continue to show that domestic repairs and maintenance will be the key component of workloads for the vast majority of the UK's tradespeople with 78% expecting this area to be the major driver of their work over the next two month period.

Responses to the survey highlight the impact of the pandemic and corresponding restrictions on the types of domestic work being undertaken with a notable increase in the number of projects involving office builds and study conversions (34% reporting an increase), driven by the expectation of a future where homeworking is significantly more commonplace.

Similarly, there has been an increase in garden landscaping work (27% reporting an increase) as homeowners prioritise outdoor projects that are easier for tradespeople to undertake during lockdown while also undertaking work that will see them enjoy their gardens more in the spring and summer coming months in anticipation of increased time at home.

The survey also showed that 92% of respondents expect a greater impact on their work from COVID-19 than from Brexit during 2021.

The survey is the second full publication of Travis Perkins' RMI Index following the inaugural report published in August 2020.

Read the Repair, Maintenance and Improvement Index and full results here.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Nick Roberts, CEO of Travis Perkins plc said:

'This report bears testament to the ability of the UK's tradespeople to see through short-term headwinds and plan for the longer-term economic recovery. Challenges still remain, both in emerging from the COVID-19 crisis and dealing with the aftermath of Brexit, but the overarching picture from the tradespeople that we surveyed is one of cautious optimism. Workloads remain robust, projects continue to be undertaken despite the lockdown restrictions, and homeowners are increasingly looking to adapt their homes to deal with the changes we as a society have seen over the past year.'

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Powerscourt
James White / Donjeta Miftari
T: [phone] / [phone]
E: [e-mail]

Corporate Communications
Travis Perkins plc
[e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

About the RMI Index

1. Since 2012, Travis Perkins has regularly surveyed the UK's tradespeople to gauge their expectations around materials purchasing and expected workloads.
2. Respondents were asked about expected workloads and material purchases over the
3. next two months, which industries they see their work coming from and where they are based, the size of their workforce and Brexit.
4. The survey was conducted in January 2021 and the results are based on the responses from over 1,600 respondents.
5. Respondents represent a significant cross section of the UK market, spanning a wide variety of company sizes, from sole traders through to companies employing up to 100 staff.
6. The majority of respondents (59%) are sole traders with 83% of all responses coming from firms employing between 1-3 people.

About Travis Perkins plc
Travis Perkins plc is the UK's leading supplier of materials and equipment to the building, construction and home improvement markets, and operates market leading businesses, including Travis Perkins Builders' Merchants, Toolstation, Wickes and a number of specialists in the civils, plumbing, heating and insulation markets, such as Keyline, BSS, City Plumbing and CCF and many more. With annual revenues of £7bn, the Group employs 28,000 colleagues across the UK, but also in France and Benelux through Toolstation. The company has a proud heritage that spans over 200 years. For more information, see www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk