There are lots of family-run building firms, and working with family was the topic of this week’s #TradesTalk discussion on Twitter.
If you’d like to see what everyone had to say, simply follow @TradesTalk and get involved. The chat takes place every Tuesday from 8-9pm, but you can join in at any time.
Here is our round-up of this week’s best bits (there is also a giveaway from Metabo running until Sunday 9th June, so do check out the pinned tweet).
https://twitter.com/TradesTalk/status/1135989471680352256
The first question of the main #TradesTalk discussion looked at the advantages of working with family.
Loads. You know how dedicated they will be to the job, I work with my dad now and it’s his attitude and work ethic that inspires me. #TradesTalk
— Matt (@DripFix) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/snlhomerepairs/status/1135986595851591681
Q1 Advantages are that they know you well, they understand what you're on about and comprehend your obsessions #TradesTalk
— Women Plumbers (@Stopcocks) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/AnslowElectric/status/1135988578884947968
Then the chat moved on to the disadvantages.
Didn’t run a business but just working with my dad again but one bad thing was cus I was living with my parents as well it got annoying seeing him all day at work and all evening as well. Felt like I never got a break from work
— Carl @ctelectrical (@ctelectrical2) June 4, 2019
Hard to leave disagreements on site, and money issues can get weird.
— R. Kennedy Decorating (@RKENNEDYDEC) June 4, 2019
A3 can be the same as the advantages always talking about work and can’t get away from it and switch and all families have arguments that can spill over into work #TradesTalk
— Lloyd Stafford (@lloydlwlheating) June 4, 2019
A2 id imagine petty arguments #TradesTalk
— Crossling Darlington (@CrosslingDL) June 4, 2019
The next question looked at encouraging family into the trades.
Yes , I've been lucky to always have work and being able to provide so far for myself and family, I'd be happy for my boys to follow in my footsteps
— Steve.brindley (@steven_brindley) June 5, 2019
A3 Not encourage, it's up to them, but certainly support if they did. #TradesTalk
— Oilcanfinish Landscaping and Property Maintenance (@oilcanfinish) June 4, 2019
Yes, definitely. I would love for them to have a trade behind them, what ever it may be. I’d back them 100% to help them succeed, also could give them the fredom to go and do what they want time to time. #TradesTalk
— Andrew J Mayar (@Andy_J_Mayar) June 4, 2019
The next question was about pressure from parents (or other family members) to follow the traditions of the family business.
Not at all, I was at college doing something else and working in my mum and dads fireplace shop Monday’s and Fridays and found I enjoyed doing that more and kind of went From there really #tradestalk
— Keith Harrison (@HarrisonHeating) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/DrBoilers/status/1135994163709775873
My Grandad was bitterly disappointed initially when I joined the Army rather than sticking with thatching. I did do my dissertation on thatching which pleases him though #TradesTalk
— Andy_Dodson80 (@ADodson80) June 4, 2019
A.4 before I started with my dad he told me to go with other trades and see what I enjoy before I committed to plumbing!
— Bruce Towers & Sons ltd (@TowersLtd) June 4, 2019
What makes a family trades business work? Here is what #TradesTalk had to say.
Friendship loyalty and love
— Andy Cam (@CosyWarmPlumber) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/DeanReds70/status/1135999041689542656
We’re such a small company that my colleagues feel like family. We’re mostly dysfunctional but we care about one another and we’re all passionate about Big Wipes. #tradestalk
— BigWipes (@BigWipes) June 4, 2019
Dont shout or lose your temper when teaching you kids. I taught both my sons and they work with me rather than for me , im not a teacher but @sterling @juhearn1 are, they were invaluable as @HeatingBarrett is finding out,
— Gastech @bunnyman (@giggsy40) June 4, 2019
Finally the chat looked at what customers think of family businesses, and whether it helps with the marketing of your business.
I think our customers very much like the fact we are a family business. Over my 3 year apprenticeship I was able to meet/build a rapport with the customers so once I was qualified they were familiar with me and I wasn’t a stranger
— Central Gas (@CentralGas1984) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/AnslowElectric/status/1135997561091821573
A6 In the farming community where I live, family in business is important BUT business is business and quality of work will always come first.
— HB Chippy (@hb_chippy) June 4, 2019
A6 our customers really like it they see us lads growing up and they feel like part of the family which a lot are like now #TradesTalk
— Lloyd Stafford (@lloydlwlheating) June 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/CJHthePlumber/status/1136003986207756288
