Is being a sustainable tradie sustainable?

It’s increasingly common for homeowners to expect tradespeople to work sustainably, reflecting their own desire to be more eco-friendly.

As a tradesperson, you may also have your own reasons for wanting to be more sustainable at work. Nearly two in three tradespeople said that ‘caring about the planet’ was the key reason for their eco changes in 2022, according to the 2022 Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report.

But how can you achieve this? And, crucially, is being a sustainable tradie really sustainable?

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The trade is adapting to consumer demand

Tradespeople are adapting their services to meet the changing needs of consumers who are wanting to be more sustainable; 43% of homeowners said they would be more likely to choose a tradesperson if they were environmentally friendly, according to the same report.

Of the top 10 jobs that increased in popularity in 2021, half of these were eco home improvements, such as roof or cavity wall insulation, or adding an electric car charging point or a heat pump.

Tradespeople are responding to demand, as well as their own desire to be more green, with two out of three (63%) of all surveyed trades planning to green up the way they work in 2022. For example, 85% of bathroom installers and 60% of plumbers were planning to make eco changes this year.

The most common ‘eco’ changes for the trade

According to Rated People, the top eight eco changes tradespeople are embarking on this year are:

Improve recycling – 41%Reduce waste – 34%Use environmentally friendly materials/products – 27%Take jobs locally/don’t travel too far for jobs – 27%Give more quotes remotely to cut down on driving – 25%Get an electric vehicle – 20%Use British parts where possible/support other local businesses – 18%Use second hand parts where possible – 14%

How does sustainability impact on business?

Becoming more sustainable can seem a daunting challenge, particularly at such a busy time for tradespeople up and down the UK.

And changing the way you work, or investing in training or technology, can involve some high initial costs.

But there are plenty of benefits on offer for forward-thinking sole traders and businesses. One is the appeal to homeowners who want to be more green. As recently reported by Forbes, 88% of consumers want brands to help them be more environmental and ethical.

Also, if you are hiring, then you may find that younger employees, who have grown up with increased awareness about sustainability, expect companies to reflect these values.

But what about the impact on your bottom line? There is little research specific to tradespeople, but in 2020 packaging company Smurfit Kappa and Longitude, a Financial Times company, surveyed 200 UK business leaders, and 82% of them said they regarded sustainability as a long-term investment rather than a cost. In separate research, carried out across Northern Europe, Digital Builder reported that 3 in 4 construction firms said the introduction of sustainability initiatives had led to a better use of resources.

How to work more sustainably

Ultimately, you need to work out what is best for your business, and that may involve taking small steps towards introducing more sustainable business practices. If you’re not sure where to get started, here are some ways to start working more sustainably:

Offer remote quotes: reduce travel by giving quotes remotely where possible.

Buy locally: the recent shortage of materials has meant that buying British is often better value. Buying parts and materials that are produced and sold closer to home is more environmentally-friendly too.

Recycle and re-use: instead of throwing waste away, consider how to reuse or repurpose it.

Go electric: the government is banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, so next time your work vehicle needs an upgrade, consider making the switch to an electric vehicle.

Learn new skills: green technologies like car charging units and heat pumps are in demand. So consider whether there are any eco jobs or services you could offer, and then upskill with relevant training.

Invest in durable kit: when buying new tools or equipment, invest in more durable, long-lasting versions that are built to last and won’t need replacing so frequently.

Don’t over promise: customers will see through ‘greenwashing’, which is a term given to the big claims made by businesses that they’re green and sustainable, when they aren’t really. In a 2020 survey conducted by Shift Insight, 48% of respondents said they’d avoid buying a company’s product or service if they didn’t live up to their sustainable claims.

With the rise in value of building materials – whether sustainable or otherwise – it’s essential that you keep your insurance up to date. Is your policy sufficient to cover the value of your stock? If not, you could be at risk of underinsurance, meaning in the event of a claim, you may not receive a full pay-out.