Many Self Employed Traders Are Heading Towards Burnout, Says New Survey

The endless NI and other tax rises, the extra admin of MTD box ticking with HMRC, plus material shortages, diesel prices, tool thefts and more, can all affect your health when you’re a trader. Mix in no paid holidays and sometimes you wonder is it worth the bother? Here’s the word on a new survey;

More than one in three (34%) UK tradespeople say their job is harming their mental health, with mounting financial pressure, overwhelming workloads and fear of theft pushing many to the breaking point, new survey data from Trade Direct Insurance reveals.

Alarmingly, nearly one in five (19%) say their job is directly causing mental health problems, highlighting the severe emotional toll facing Britain’s skilled workforce. A further 15% report that both work and personal life contribute to their struggles.

With 900,000 people working in skilled trades across the UK, the findings suggest hundreds of thousands could be struggling with work-related mental health issues¹.

Patricia Gardiner, sales and marketing director at Trade Direct Insurance, says the findings highlight the hidden pressures tradespeople face daily, many of which extend far beyond the job itself.

Patricia explains: “Tradespeople often carry enormous responsibility managing customers, materials, cash flow and tight deadlines whilst also dealing with the physical demands of the work. When you layer financial uncertainty and theft risks on top, it’s no surprise many are feeling overwhelmed.

“What’s particularly concerning is how normalised this pressure has become. Many tradies simply push through stress because they feel they have to, but sustained pressure without support can have long-term consequences.”

Financial strain tops list of stress triggers

Financial pressure is emerging as the single biggest driver of stress, with tradespeople facing relentless uncertainty around material costs, unpredictable income and volatile demand.

For many, the pressure is constant, with no guaranteed salary, no sick pay and no financial safety net.

The most commonly reported pressures reported over the past year include:

1. The cost of materials (21%)

2. Business cash flow worries (19%)

3. Having too much work (17%)

4. Securing new customers (17%)

5. Economic uncertainty (17%)

Patricia adds: “Margins are tight, costs fluctuate, and payments aren’t always guaranteed, and this creates constant background stress. Being extremely busy isn’t always positive, because excessive workload can quickly lead to burnout.”

Tool and van theft is also driving significant anxiety, with 14% saying it is a major source of stress. For roofers and scaffolders, theft is the number one concern. Unlike other professions, a single theft can instantly prevent tradespeople from working entirely, cutting off their income overnight, in addition to the stress and trauma caused by the theft itself. With many tradies lacking sufficient cover against tool theft, such as tool insurance, the potential for lost business is high.

Silence around mental health remains common

Despite widespread distress, many tradespeople are suffering in silence. One in five (20%) say they would not speak to anyone about their mental health, while 15% say they want help but don’t know where to turn.

Alarmingly, only one in four (25%) feel able to talk to family, and just 21% would confide in friends. This suggests many are facing serious mental health struggles alone.

Younger workers appear particularly vulnerable, with a third (33%) of 18–24 year olds saying they don’t want to talk about their mental health with others. In addition, sole traders and those working alone are more likely to report negative mental health impacts (13%) than those who aren’t isolated on the job (11%).

Patricia says: “Stigma and independence culture within the trades may be contributing factors. He explains: “Tradespeople are often used to solving problems on their own. That mindset can make it harder to admit when things feel overwhelming. But mental health is just as important as physical safety, and ignoring it doesn’t make the pressure disappear.”

Industry pressures vary by trade

The research also reveals that mental health pressures differ significantly between trades. Joiners are the worst affected, with more than half (53%) saying their work is harming their mental health. Bricklayers (47%), builders (42%) and landscapers (42%) also report high levels of stress.

Top concerns by trade

Patricia concludes: “Tradespeople are under relentless pressure. They’re managing customers, chasing payments, absorbing rising costs and worrying about theft, all while working physically demanding jobs.

“Many don’t have the financial or emotional safety nets other workers rely on, which means stress doesn’t switch off at the end of the day. What’s worrying is that this level of pressure is becoming normalised.”

For more information about Trade Direct Insurance, visit: https://www.tradedirectinsurance.co.uk/