Cash-strapped families have been asking tradesmen and women - such as builders, plasterers and electricians - not to charge their tools due to the cost of living. It comes as the price of energy continues to soar, hitting families in the pocket.
According to new research from Toolstation, a third of tradespeople said they had been asked to arrive with their sanders, jigsaws, drills, nail guns and other power tools "fully charged". A poll found 36% said they are now asked to charge at their own home.
However, spiralling energy costs mean 35% are now considered passing this cost on to their clients. While 75% of tradespeople said they were worried about their monthly energy bills, reports the Daily Star.
Compared to last year 73% of trades workers have more worries that ever before, especially with the rising cost of bills. Another 85% of homeowners said they are worried about keeping their heating on.
Toolstation found 82% have pledged to delay switching on the heating. It is hoped this will save as much money as possible from energy costs.
Seb Falkiner, power tools category manager from Toolstation, said: “With increased energy prices, many customers are asking tradespeople to charge their tools off site, rather than in their homes. The energy crisis is affecting every area of life, including charging, so it's little surprise that many tradespeople are considering how to recoup these costs.”
