Installer spoke to The IPG’s Brand Ambassador and TV construction expert Mark Millar about the latest industry trends, and why tradespeople trade local.
Mark Millar is well-known in the construction industry. He appeared on TV’s DIY SOS before hosting the Channel 5 show Your Dream Kitchen for Less.
Earlier this year, Mark partnered with The IPG as a brand ambassador to help highlight the benefits for tradespeople using local independent businesses to source their materials.
“I’m a joiner by trade and have been a carpenter all my life,” Mark explained. “Now I run my own building company around Bristol and the South West. I don’t do a lot of work on the tools any more, I’m more of a kitchen and bathroom designer, but I understand running a small business and I know what tradespeople value from their suppliers.
“I was approached by The IPG earlier in the year and it’s a great fit. I do get offered the chance to work with companies and brands and I often turn them down, but I really like what The IPG represents.
“One thing that really strikes me with The IPG is that it really cares about the stores and showrooms in its group. That filters through because those independent businesses then really care about their customers, the tradespeople, who care about the end user, and everybody benefits.”
Industry trends
There’s lots of innovation and exciting new products being released into the industry, but in the current climate, there are also lots of considerations for consumers. With the high cost of living, energy prices, water bills and materials costs, how do tradespeople offer the best service to each of their differing customers?
“For me, the three most important rooms in a house are the bathroom, the kitchen and the living room,” said Mark. “These are the rooms where people spend most of their time, and the ones we look closest at when we buy or rent a home.
“The challenge for tradespeople is to offer luxury spaces that use good quality equipment at great prices. Different people have different needs, so when I’m designing a kitchen or bathroom, I want to understand a customer’s situation. Are they planning on staying in the property for years? Are they planning on having children, or are more people likely to be moving into the home? That way, we can design the space that’s best for them and their budget.
“One thing I will say about a quality bathroom and kitchen is that it does add value to the property, plus a good front door but that’s another matter, so it’s usually worth the investment.
“A key change in my customers’ behaviour in the last couple of years is that they’re now not only interested in the cost of the renovation, but the cost of running the room as well. As a Project Manager, I’m recommending products that save both energy and water, to keep the household bills as low as possible. LED lights are a simple upgrade but are something that we should only be installing on jobs. Then we can look at using free energy if there are solar panels, or is there a heat pump or battery storage to take advantage of time-of-use tariffs?
“More and more customers are becoming aware of water-saving products with bills going up, and there are some fantastic innovations when it comes to showers, toilet flushes and things like waste water heat recovery.”
Trade Local Day
Trade Local Day is an initiative from The IPG which launched in 2024. The campaign was set up to celebrate independents and highlight the benefits of shopping locally.
During the day, Mark visited some of The IPG member stores near him.
“Trade Local Day was a great initiative and getting the feedback from tradespeople was fantastic,” he explained. “During my entire career, I have always used my local suppliers because I want to support independent, often family-run businesses.
“I have a friend who ran a small business and retired recently. I asked him what the highlight of his career was and he told me it was helping his staff pay their rent, mortgages and energy bills. Local enterprise is the cornerstone of our society.
“It’s not just sentiment though, there are real advantages of trading with a local independent business. The stores have a wealth of knowledge, and that expert service is key. I’ve been in the industry for 40 years and I genuinely learn something new every day. I go to my local trade counter and they know who I am, I get a coffee, and they tell me about an exciting new product that could save me time and money. The personal touch is so important for tradespeople.
“The innovation in these companies really stood out to me as well. Just down the road from me is North Bristol Plumbing Supplies, and they offer container storage for their customers. So the tradesperson can order their kit, store it in a secure container and can access their products whenever they want.
“Availability came across a lot from the tradespeople as well. Being able to get products delivered the same or the next day saves them a lot of time travelling, and lets them offer a faster service to their customers.
“Sometimes we can be creatures of habit, and keep shopping in the places that we know, but I would encourage everyone to break the habit of a lifetime. Look for The IPG logo and check out your local store. You are guaranteed top service, from expert staff, and at great prices too.”
Find out more about The IPG and locate your local store at: The IPG | Buy the Best Plumbing, Heating & Bathroom Brands at Great Prices
