UK Window Cleaners Second Most Trusted Tradesmen

People clearly see window cleaners in a good light - voting them the second most-trusted profession. Plumbers were voted as the friendliest workers though and the most likely to have a joke, followed by window cleaners.

Top 20 most trusted tradesman revealed: Electricians are Britain's most trustworthy tradesmen, according to new research. The study of 2,000 Brits examined modern perceptions of today's handymen found the humble sparky as the most trusted. Electricians were also voted to have the best manners and to be the most punctual and presentable looking of all tradesmen, results showed.

And people clearly see window cleaners in a good light - voting them the second most-trusted profession, followed by plumbers. But scaffolders, glaziers, and tilers still have a lot to do - featuring bottom of the list of trusted tradesmen.

A spokesman for Helly Hansen Workwear, which commissioned the study, said: "When it comes to hiring a tradesman we are placing a lot of faith in allowing that person to work in our home, so we want to know that trust is well placed. "'The way someone dresses, holds themselves and the manners they have still has a powerful impact, and can go a long way to reassuring potential customers that they have the right skills and attitude for the job."

Plumbers were voted as the friendliest workers though and the most likely to have a joke, followed by window cleaners. The study also found builders and plumbers as the professions most likely to overcharge a customer. Builders were also perceived by the public to be the tradesmen who work the shortest number of hours per day, followed by window cleaners.

Cost is still the driving factor when choosing a tradesman but a professional appearance was key for nearly half of those polled, while getting recommendations from other people plays a big part for picking the right person. There is still a feeling of apprehension when it comes to hiring new workers- over three quarters of those polled still get nervous when dealing with a tradesman they've never used before.

Perhaps that's because nearly four in ten have had a bad experience in the past that has put them off.

Over a third said they have been made wary because of things they have seen on TV, while 30 per cent have experienced bad manners or impoliteness from a tradesman in the past. The spokesman for Helly Hansen Workwear added: ''The results show that overall the majority of Britain's tradesman have a solid reputation, but we still associate certain trades with certain characteristics. ''When it comes to placing our trust in a tradesman, we need to see a professional appearance, polite etiquette and disciplined attitude in order to have faith we've picked the right person.''

Most trusted tradesmen

1. Electrician

2. Window cleaner

3. Plumber

4. Gardener

5. Carpenter

6. Carpet fitter

7. Locksmith

8. Builder

9. Painter and decorator

10. Gasman

11. Cleaner

12. Handyman

13. Bricklayer

14. Chimney sweep

15. Mechanic

16. Roofer

17. Plasterer / Renderer

18. Tiler

19. Glazier

20. Scaffolder

Electricians are Britain's most trustworthy tradesmen, according to new research.