How many teas and coffees to offer tradespeople revealed with new calculator

Daily Mirror

12-08-2025

One in five (21 %) of us have never even offered a biscuit to a tradesperson, according to new research - and now there's a calculator to help you suss out how many hot drinks to offer them
Ever puzzled over how many brews to offer your tradesperson? Well now there's a handy new calculator to help work it out.
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You'll need to input the duration of their stay at your property, both in hours and days, as well as gauge how chatty they're likely to be. Based on your responses, the tool will suggest the appropriate number of drinks to offer.
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This comes after research showed that the average homeowner offers tradespeople three cups of tea per day – but a surprising 21% have never offered biscuits. A survey of 2,000 adults who have hired a tradesperson, conducted by Virgin Money, revealed that 61% 'always' offer a drink, while 18% are more selective. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment.
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However, one in 20 (6%) go above and beyond, offering more than five hot beverages a day. Interestingly, 36% have made the initial offer hoping for a refusal.
A whopping 77% view offering a drink as a polite and respectful gesture, however, nearly half (48%) draw the line at anything beyond a cuppa, believing tradespeople should bring their own biscuits.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Money, which has launched its M Account for Business Trades exclusively for tradespeople, offering perks such as cash back on trade and home improvement store spending, plus discounts on mobile and gadget insurance and business insurance.
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Simon Norman, head of business bank at Virgin Money, which is also rewarding customers with a free monthly voucher for a popular high street coffee chain, said: "Anyone that's had to call upon a tradesperson has found themselves in the situation of when and how often to offer up a brew.
"Our research has shown that for many, it's a no brainer and they're quick to offer up a drink. But there are factors that sway whether they'd like to or not, such as familiarity and professionalism – with many seemingly a lot more selective on opening up any biscuits."
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The primary factors determining whether to offer a hot drink include how long they'll be working at the property, whether they appear friendly or approachable – and the temperature outside. Meanwhile, 22% will do so to establish a connection with them, according to the OnePoll.com research.
Tea, coffee and water are the beverages most frequently provided, with 6% having witnessed a tradesperson criticise the hot drink they'd prepared for them.
Nearly a quarter (23%) have offered refreshments only to be declined, then never bothered asking again – whilst 30% have adopted the 'leave everything accessible' approach, allowing workers to serve themselves if desired.
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Plumbers, electricians and gas engineers were the trades most frequently employed over the past 12 months according to those surveyed, who have engaged an average of two different specialists during that period.
It has also been revealed that 53% of people believe tradespeople's jobs are challenging due to the physically demanding work, the complexity of their tasks and the fact they manage their own business. Additionally, 53% highlighted the long and irregular hours, making a cup of tea a much-appreciated gesture.
Simon Norman from Virgin Money, which has introduced a business current account for tradespeople offering breakdown cover, with no monthly fee and free day-to-day digital banking, commented: "It can be hard work to be a self-employed tradesperson.
"On top of the expert work taken on and long hours, they're also managing the paperwork that comes with running your own business. That's why we've launched this particular account, built specifically to support tradespeople and recognise the value of what they do."