Digital Shift For Tradies - What it Means for You

It is easy to see the vast number of ways technology impacts our daily lives, and the ever-evolving nature of tech means there will always be improvements on the horizon. Unfortunately, the tradie industries are not as advanced digitally as various other types of business.Embracing tech is a change tradies must make in order to stay competitive now and in the future.

The Importance of Tradies

There is no doubt that quality tradies are worth their weight in gold to home and business owners. The changes in the housing industry, as well as the popularity of home and yard renovations, dramatically increased the demand for skilled tradespeople in all areas. Even if homeowners are not interested in big changes, all homes will need tradies? services at one point or another.A recent study by�LEK Consultants�highlights the importance of tradies to the nation of Australia. Last year, approximately 73 billion dollars went from Aussie households to those in the trade industries.Additionally, Australian homeowners engaged with an average of seven tradies a year. All totalled, the trade sector brings roughly 6 per cent to Australia?s Gross Domestic Product.Even though these numbers are good news for those involved in the trades, this much business puts a tremendous strain on an industry where�70 per cent�of new business comes to tradies via word of mouth. Other facts, revealed in a study by�EY Sweeney, should be alarming to tradies:

• On average, creating invoices, giving quotes, and generally doing paperwork eat up 14 hours a week of a tradie?s time
• Of the tradespeople taking part in the survey, 70 per cent believe that using tech would free some of their time and make their business more efficient
• Property owners under the age of 35 prefer using online methods to find and work with tradies. 53 per cent of this demographic say Google search is how they would find a tradie
• Tradies miss the opportunity to earn $120,000 every year because they need the time for paperwork

HOW DO AUSTRALIANS SOURCE TRADIES? *

• Word of mouth - 47%
• Reconnecting with tradie - 41%
• Online search engine - 39%
• An official directory - 19%
• Social media - 19%
• Specialised webpage - 16%

*total is greater than 100% due to multiple answers from some respondents

DO THESE STATISTICS APPLY FOR ALL AGE GROUPS?

The percentages vary based on age for three categories

• Reconnecting with a tradie (aged 60+) - 60%
• Search engine (under 35) - 53%
• Social media (under 35) - 36%

Those tradies who are already using tech to facilitate their business are positioning themselves to be ready as this sector continues to shift in the digital direction. Some of the most difficult points of the business for tradies can become much less bothersome by using technology.

WHAT PARTS OF BUSINESS DO TRADIES FIND DIFFICULT THAT CAN BE MADE SIMPLER BY USING TECH? *

• Receiving payments - 37% of tradies interviewed
• Preparing quotes - 33% of tradies interviewed
• Finding employees -33% of tradies interviewed
• Doing payroll and taxes - 29% of tradies interviewed
• General administration work - 29% of tradies interviewed

*total is greater than 100% due to multiple answers from some respondents

WHAT PARTS OF WORKING WITH A TRADIE DO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS FIND FRUSTRATING THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN IMPROVE? *

• Locating a dependable tradie - 48% of consumers interviewed
• Unexpected expenses when the job is finished - 45% of consumers interviewed
• Cash only business policies - 33% of consumers interviewed

*total is greater than 100% due to multiple answers from some respondentsOpening your business to the digital world may seem daunting. However, more than half of those taking part in these surveys believe finding and doing business with a tradie would be considerably easier online than via traditional routes. At the same time, 70 per cent of tradies interviewed believe using technology could help save time and gain customers.Since both the business people and their customers believe tech can make the trade sector more efficient and smoother, this is the perfect time to learn about the professionals and services that can help guide the trade industry into the 21st century and beyond.