State of the Trade: Challenges Facing Irish Tradesmen and the Construction Industry in 2024

The results are in on the biggest challenges Irish tradesmen face in 2024, from labour shortages to rising construction costs. Based on feedback from those in the trade, discover the current state of play.

Over 1,200 tradespeople in Ireland responded to a recent Onlinetradesmen survey about their main challenges and hopes for the future.

From plumbers and electricians to landscapers and builders, respondents voiced concerns about labour shortages, soaring material costs, and the need for greater respect and recognition within their communities.

These insights shed light on critical issues shaping Ireland's trade sector in 2024 and beyond.

Survey Findings: Percentage Breakdown of Key Challenges

Availability of Skilled Labour: 29% of respondents listed this as their top challenge. Many tradespeople struggle with a shortage of qualified workers, which leads to increased workloads and job delays.
Cost of Materials and Tools: 21% pointed to cost inflation for construction materials impacting the viability of projects and businesses within the sector.
Excessive Paperwork and Compliance: 18% cited administrative tasks and grant paperwork as obstacles, which take time away from hands-on work and add to their operational load.
General Business Costs: 16% reported increases in operational costs, including marketing, insurance, fuel and vehicle costs as a restriction to doing business
Job Commencement Delays/Cancellations: 11% mentioned that job delays in project commencements are a significant issue, leading to income loss.
Other Issues: 5% cited various additional challenges, such as inconsistent demand in trades like painting and landscaping, weather conditions, and client payment delays.

With this overview of the results, let's dive into an analysis of the challenges and potential improvements that Ireland’s tradespeople envision for a stronger, more sustainable trade sector.

Analysis of Survey Responses

1. Primary Challenges for Tradespeople

The survey highlights several pressing challenges impacting tradespeople in Ireland:

Skilled Labour Shortage: This was the most significant concern, particularly among plumbers, builders, and electricians. The lack of qualified workers not only increases stress but also hinders job efficiency and profitability.
Material and Tool Costs: Carpenters, builders, and plumbers noted that escalating expenses for materials and equipment strain their budgets. Combined with other operational costs like VAT and regulatory fees, these expenses reduce profit margins.
Administrative Burden: Paperwork and compliance requirements are burdensome for many trades, including electricians and plumbers. The additional administrative work takes time from hands-on tasks, impacting productivity and operational efficiency.
Job Delays and Cancellations: Roofers and builders mentioned that unpredictable job start times or cancellations lead to lost income, disrupt scheduling, and add uncertainty to project timelines.

2. Desired Changes in the Trade Sector

Tradespeople offered insights into what improvements could support a healthier trade sector:

Enhanced Respect and Recognition: Many tradespeople, especially plumbers and builders, want more societal respect, believing that their roles are undervalued compared to academic or corporate careers. Increased acknowledgement would improve morale and potentially attract new talent.
Apprenticeship Reforms: Calls for longer, well-compensated apprenticeships came from architects and electricians. They believe this could better prepare new entrants and ensure a quality-skilled labour pipeline.
Improved Consumer Protection: Some tradespeople proposed stronger regulations to prevent unqualified individuals from taking on specialised jobs, ensuring higher standards and maintaining public trust in trade services.
Payment Reforms: Builders in Cork voiced concerns over delayed payments from main contractors. They suggest better financial protections to ensure prompt payment, helping small businesses maintain cash flow and stability.

3. Sector-Wise and Regional Insights

Plumbers and Builders: Highlighted skilled labour shortages, paperwork burdens, and rising material costs as primary challenges. They also expressed the desire for increased respect and acknowledgement in society.
Electricians: Face similar challenges with labour shortages and paperwork, with calls for apprenticeship and training system improvements to strengthen the workforce.
Painters & Decorators: Struggled with job availability and competition from unregulated DIY work, which affects the industry’s reputation and income potential.
Roofers and Carpenters: Noted difficulties due to weather-related job delays, as well as fluctuating demand, which adds to job uncertainty.

Ireland's tradespeople have responded to the challenges they face. From the ever-present threat of labour shortages and rising costs to the administrative burden that saps precious time, these issues are impacting businesses across the country.

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