Checkatrade and MyBuilder serve different business models. Checkatrade operates as a vetted directory with subscription costs and customer-controlled lead flow; MyBuilder works on a pay-per-quote basis where you compete on individual jobs. The better choice depends on your cash flow, service area, and lead volume tolerance.
How Checkatrade and MyBuilder differ in their core business model
Checkatrade charges tradespeople an upfront annual subscription fee to appear in their directory. Once listed, homeowners browse profiles and contact you directly through the platform. You pay regardless of how many leads arrive or convert. MyBuilder reverses this: you pay only when you submit a quote to a homeowner's job request. No upfront fee. No monthly charge. You only spend money when you actively bid for work.
This structural difference shapes everything downstream. With Checkatrade, your costs are fixed and predictable. With MyBuilder, your spend fluctuates with your bidding activity. A plumber submitting five quotes a week on MyBuilder will pay differently from one submitting twenty. Neither model is inherently superior—they suit different business rhythms and cash positions.
What controls your lead volume on each platform
On Checkatrade, homeowners find you; you don't compete in real time. If a customer searches for a plumber in your postcode and your profile appears, they message you directly. You cannot increase or decrease lead flow actively. You receive what the algorithm surfaces to them. Some months that's three enquiries; others it's twelve. You have no direct control over supply.
MyBuilder inverts that control. You see incoming job requests from homeowners in your area and decide which ones to quote on. You choose your workload by choosing how many bids to submit. A decorator can bid on every kitchen job posted, or select only the premium ones. This flexibility appeals to traders managing capacity or seasonal demand, but it requires you to engage actively and monitor new jobs constantly.
Customer vetting: how each platform filters homeowners
Checkatrade built its reputation on vetting tradespeople—not homeowners. The platform screens trades for insurance, credentials and conduct, but does not validate customers. A homeowner can contact you without proof of budget or genuine intent. This can mean enquiries that don't convert or waste your time responding to browsers rather than buyers.
MyBuilder verifies homeowners more visibly. Customers post jobs with descriptions and budgets; the system creates a trail. You can assess whether a job is serious by reading the brief and the customer's budget estimate. You're not bidding blind. However, this doesn't eliminate time-wasters—it reduces them. You still evaluate fit before quoting.
Geographic reach and competition density
Both platforms operate across the UK, but competition varies by trade and location. In high-density areas like London or Manchester, especially for common trades such as plumbing and electrics, both platforms attract many tradespeople. Your profile on Checkatrade competes with dozens of others in the same postcode. On MyBuilder, you compete on individual jobs: five plumbers might bid on a single bathroom renovation.
Rural or specialist trades—thatching, certain stone work, conservation carpentry—often see thinner competition on both platforms. Your visibility improves simply because fewer traders operate there. Check your local market on both sites before committing. Search for your trade and postcode on each to see how many competitors are active.
The time and attention each platform demands
Checkatrade requires maintenance but not constant monitoring. You update your profile periodically, respond to enquiries as they arrive, and collect customer reviews. It runs with moderate hands-on time, especially if you're averaging two to four enquiries weekly.
MyBuilder demands active engagement. You must monitor new job postings regularly—daily or several times daily—to spot opportunities before other traders quote. If you're not checking the platform, you miss leads. For small teams with tight schedules, this can feel burdensome. For traders who enjoy controlling which jobs they pursue, it's liberating. Your work style and appetite for daily platform checking should shape your choice.
Converting leads to actual work: what matters on each platform
On Checkatrade, your profile picture, description, customer reviews and response time shape whether enquiries convert. A slow reply kills your chances. Professional photos, clear pricing (where applicable) and recent positive testimonials push homeowners to call or message. Your reputation on the platform compounds over time.
On MyBuilder, your quote and response speed matter most. A detailed, honest quote that explains scope and timeline beats a rushed estimate. Your rating and past reviews are visible, but the immediate job bid is your pitch. You're competing on quality of your response, not just profile presence. Both platforms reward responsiveness; MyBuilder rewards it more acutely because you're bidding against named competitors.