Running your own business in the building trades can make it difficult to get a proper break from work, and this was the topic discussed by #TradesTalk on Twitter this week.
As usual, we have rounded-up the best bits for you, but do have a look at the #TradesTalk hashtag to get involved in the conversation, which takes place every Tuesday 8-9pm and covers everything from tools to mental health.
The first question on the topic of holidays simply looked at everyone’s plans and whether they hoped to get away this year.
https://twitter.com/hb_chippy/status/1133477395707695105
Bit of summer snowboarding planned early July
— J-Elec Solutions Limited (@Jelecsolutions) May 28, 2019
Finally going for longer than 10 days this year!! First time in 15 years.. 20 days, van tour Luxembourg, Austria, Germany, Italy,Switzerland, France. I’m even going to clean the van before I go pic.twitter.com/n4tQ6oucF2
— SE Property Care (@SE_PropertyCare) May 28, 2019
Then the conversation moved on to the difficulties of switching off for the self-employed tradesperson.
I certainly don’t think it’s easier to take a break being self employed, remember no one pays us for our time off, we have to work bloody hard to be able to afford not just the holiday but to give us a wage while we are away #tradestalk
— Keith Harrison (@HarrisonHeating) May 28, 2019
Yes, you struggle to say no to work and find you end up putting work before anything else
— Ed Hacking (@EdwardHacking) May 28, 2019
A2. Yes it can be harder but you can decide your holidays. #tradestalk be disciplined and think of yourself.
— Paul Williams (@AWilliamsltd) May 28, 2019
Not if you book it in advance, we tend to book ours 11-12 months in advance. #tradestalk
— John Taylor (@Jtjohnftaylor) May 28, 2019
And does the phone get switched off while you’re on holiday?
A3 emails yes, calls no.
— SparkyNinja (@Sparky_Ninja) May 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/property_ready/status/1133480294206627840
A3 Briefly, only to highlight when I will be back and can discuss their request/enquiry in detail. I don't start looking at/for documents and doing quotes. It can wait a few days. #notaheartsurgeon #tradestalk
— Oilcanfinish Landscaping and Property Maintenance (@oilcanfinish) May 28, 2019
When the trades do finally get a well-earned break, it seems most can’t resist having a look at the quality of the work in their destination.
https://twitter.com/duluxvwilknson/status/1133481453101178880
https://twitter.com/BeyondtheStove/status/1133460068081512451
I got a full rewire of a large bed and breakfast place after telling the owner the number of faults I could see in my room with en suite and in the dining room. He was pleased I pointed out what I saw and told him the potential implications if a fault happened
— Dave The Sparks (@DaveTheSparks2) May 28, 2019
And if you can’t completely turn your phone off, it is still possible to relax on holiday.
A5, I just check emails and phone messages once a day, just in case, but apart from that, I switch off
— Payne and Son (@PayneAndSonSuff) May 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/MatMccallion/status/1133460222771695617
https://twitter.com/GasSafePete/status/1133459563292823553
Do tune in to #TradesTalk to chat with fellow trades every Tuesday on Twitter from 8-9pm.
