Work demands will impact the opportunity for 86% of tradespeople to spend time with friends and family this festive season, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance.
More than a quarter (29%) will be unable to see loved ones at all during this time due to work commitments. A further 37% will not be able to spend as much time with their nearest and dearest as they would have liked and 19% know work will impact their time off but are trying to limit this as much as possible.
Despite 87% of tradespeople working during the festive period, just half (50%) will charge an increased rate. As well as many working over the festive period, four in five (82%) tradespeople have worked overtime in early December to ensure projects are completed on time, with 73% also considering working weekends. One in seven (15%) of ‘tradies’ started working overtime earlier in the year to reduce the urgency to finish jobs in December.
Clients putting added pressure to complete jobs ahead of Christmas is the top reason for working overtime (36%), followed by wanting to finish all work before taking a well-earned break (34%), and an opportunity to earn extra income (30%).
Table 1: Reasons tradespeople plan to work overtime ahead of the festive period
| Reason for working overtime | Percentage |
| Clients put on added pressure to complete jobs ahead of the festive period | 36% |
| I like to make sure the work is done ahead of switching off for the festive period | 34% |
| We have new jobs starting in the new year, which we don’t want to delay | 32% |
| I want to make sure my customers have a finished job ahead of the festive period | 31% |
| It is good to get some extra money in ahead of the festive period | 30% |
| I want to be able to finish work ahead of the festive period | 26% |
Source: Direct Line business insurance: 2024
Mark Summerville, product manager at Direct Line business insurance, commented: “Tradespeople consistently go above and beyond to support their clients, and this dedication is especially evident during the festive season. Many are working overtime and sacrificing time with loved ones to ‘save Christmas’ for countless households and businesses by ensuring projects are completed on time.”
