Households are feeling the squeeze from the ongoing cost-of-living (Image: Getty)
18.2 million Brits admit cutting corners by choosing cheaper goods or services – despite concerns. To deal with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, more than half of adults (53%) have adapted their spending habits over the past year. As a result, a poll of 2,000 adults found 33% choose cheaper products or services, even though 46% have concerns about their regulation, quality or safety.
Clothing, cleaning products and skincare were among some of the things shoppers admit they are buying on the cheap despite feeling uneasy about the reliability or trustworthiness. Meanwhile more than a quarter (28%) said they have opted for cheaper versions of essential services such as home maintenance and DIY.
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According to the research, 36% are likely to accept more risks now than they would have a few years ago due to financial pressures. However, 51% admitted cutting corners has left them having to replace items or redo work later on.
The study was commissioned by Gas Safe Register, which has teamed up with Shaunagh Brown, an ex-England Rugby Union player and former Gas Safe engineer, to highlight the dangers of cutting corners.
“Working as an engineer showed me first-hand how important it is to do things properly,” she said. “I understand why people are looking to save money right now, but when it comes to gas work and essential safety checks, cutting corners simply isn’t worth the risk.
“The short-term savings can quickly turn into much bigger costs – or worse, put your household in danger.
“It’s about making informed choices and making sure the people working in your home are properly qualified and legally registered.”
Shaunagh Brown wants to raise awareness of the dangers of using unqualified or unregistered gas workers (Image: PinPep)
A fifth of respondents admitted cutting costs for boiler servicing or gas appliance maintenance. The research showed 16% have delayed routine gas checks to save money, while 12% of those who own a gas operated boiler or appliance would consider using unqualified engineers, with 22% failed to check an engineer’s credentials.
According to OnePoll.com figures, the average saving required to justify using an unregistered engineer was 25% for a single job.
On top of cost saving, urgency was a main factor for using an unqualified gas engineer, followed by trusted recommendations (12%).
Ronan Howard, customer first delivery lead for Gas Safe Register, added: “It shows just how normalised risk taking has become when household budgets are under pressure.
“Many people don’t realise that checking an engineer’s credentials is essential, or assume a small saving is worth the risk when work feels urgent.
“Improving awareness around safety checks could help people make better informed decisions, even during difficult financial times.”