Whether it’s rewiring a socket on a Saturday, assembling a flat-pack wardrobe, or lending a hand (and a van) to help someone move house, being a tradesperson can come with some expectations from friends and family. But just how often are they helping out, and what is it costing them?
To find out, temporary business van insurance experts Tempcover commissioned a survey of 500 tradespeople to uncover the scale and impact of “mates’ rates” across the UK’s trade community.
Always on Call: How Often Tradespeople Are Lending a Hand
Trade-related favours for friends and family are a regular part of life for many in the industry. According to the data, over two-thirds (70%) of tradespeople say they help out at least once a month, with 18% doing it weekly and 8% even more often than that. Just 1% say they never do favours related to their trade.
The True Cost of a Favour
It’s clear tradespeople aren’t in it for the money when it comes to helping out friends and family. In fact, only one person out of the 500 surveyed said they usually charge their full rate for favours – the rest either give a discount (28%), work for free (26%), or accept a meal or small gift in return (45%).
But the generosity comes at a price. When asked to estimate how much income they lose each year through unpaid or discounted favours, the average is £552, with one in six (17%) saying the cost exceeds £1,000.
Beyond the money, many tradespeople say there’s an emotional cost too:
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30% feel guilty saying no
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25% feel pressured to say yes
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20% say it feels awkward to bring up payment
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And 16% sometimes feel taken advantage of
Despite this, 46% say they’re happy to help and 39% say they don’t mind if it’s quick or easy.
It’s Not Just Their Trade – It’s Their Transport Too
Beyond their trade expertise, friends and family also ask for support with another asset: their van. Over half of tradespeople (52%) say that they are asked to help out at least once a month because they have a van, with nearly one in 10 (9%) being asked weekly.
Online Marketplace Pickups Are the Most Common Favours
When asked what kind of favours their family and friends often ask of them and their van, picking up bulky items bought from online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace took the top spot (51%).
|
Reason for Favour |
Percentage |
|
Pick up bulky items bought from online marketplaces (e.g. Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree) |
51% |
|
Help someone collect an item they bought in-store (e.g. appliances, flat-pack furniture) |
50% |
|
Help with house moves |
50% |
|
Transport large DIY or garden materials (e.g. wood, soil, tools) |
43% |
|
Take rubbish to the tip |
38% |
|
Give someone a lift because they needed space (e.g. bikes, suitcases) |
34% |
The Cost of Being Designated Driver
A quarter of tradespeople say they never ask friends or family to contribute when they help out with their van, leaving many out of pocket. On average, respondents spend £30.66 on petrol per favour, and report losing over £400 in income over the past 12 months due to van-related favours for friends and family.
While over a third (36%) say they are happy to help, and 26% enjoy being useful, 18% feel awkward saying no and 14% say they feel pressured to say yes, even when it’s inconvenient.
Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary business van insurance expert at Tempcover, adds: “Many tradespeople feel an obligation to help because they own a van, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. But the fact that over a third (36%) would be open to letting others drive their van with temporary insurance highlights a demand for practical solutions that ease this pressure. Temporary business van insurance also provides a way for tradespeople to offer support without risking their no claims or sacrificing their time too.”