48% of builders and plumbers say they were busier than expected with homeowners happy to spend on home improvements.
Almost half of tradesmen reported that they were busier than expected over the past few weeks, according to a survey carried out by Screwfix. 48% of respondents said that homeowners seemed more willing to spend as we approach the traditional home improvement season and are "frequently calling someone in to assist on bigger projects".

Screwfix's Trade Pulse Index, which measures activity levels and confidence, revealed that builders and electricians were the busiest of the trades in the last few weeks of the year, while plumbers got an additional boost thanks to the heating season and severe weather.

The year ended on a high, with tradesmen working right up to Christmas Eve to finish jobs as activity levels outstripped expectation. As a result, the Pulse Index turned positive for the first time since April.

Screwfix marketing director John Mewitt said: "Tradesmen are gearing up for a much better year, with confidence levels up significantly in both the general economy and opportunities for work."