British tradespeople are missing out on an estimated £2.7m in potential earnings by taking on extra tasks for free, according to research conducted by CORGI HomePlan.

Over half of UK homeowners don’t expect to pay the usual hourly rate for extra tasks carried out, preferring instead to pay in cups of tea (10%), or not paying all together (10%).

When asked why they seek extra work on top of what has been agreed, 62% cited the convenience of having a professional in the home. A further 40% of those surveyed revealed it was because the professionals are experts, and 23% admit they’re rubbish at any kind of DIY themselves.

Younger householders are more likely (73%) to want the work done for a discounted rate, compared to 52% of those aged 55 and above who would happily offer the agreed hourly charge.

From mending a broken plug socket (28%) to putting up shelves (2%) and changing lightbulbs (9%), all the way to wacky requests like making tea for all house guests (8%), keeping an eye on the dog (6%) and even putting the bins out (5%), it seems there is nothing that customers expect a tradesperson to say no to.

Peter Southcott, Chief Executive of CORGI HomePlan, says: “Trades professionals are the nicest you can meet and we regularly hear about how our network of more than 5,000 fully-qualified gas safe engineers, plumbers, electricians and drainage experts are always willing to go the extra mile for our customers. However, that doesn’t mean they are volunteers!”