The majority – 97% – of tradesmen are in work and busier year-on-year, according to research by Screwfix.
The hardware giant's monthly index Trade Pulse, which surveys more than 500 tradesmen – including plumbers, electricians, builders and carpenters – found that one in six have more work than they can handle.
More than three quarters – 78% – said they have 'enough work to keep them busy' – up from 74% for the same period last year. Business is 'busier than expected' for more than one in three, who said they were preparing more quotes compared to this time last year.
The research also revealed that 59% of tradesmen believe that business will improve in the next 12 months.
CEO Andrew Livingston said: “2015 has got off to a buoyant start for UK tradesmen, with many taking on more work year-on-year. With so many tradesmen reporting that they’re currently in work, expecting to get busier through the year and brightly looking ahead to the future, we are focused on continuing to help them where we can to build on their current business success.”