MyBuilder, Checkatrade, Rated People, and Trustmark are the main lead-generation platforms UK tradespeople use to find work. Each operates on a similar model—customers post jobs, you bid or receive inbound enquiries—but they differ in cost structure, customer quality, market saturation, and support. Understanding these differences helps you choose platforms that align with your business model and budget.
How do MyBuilder-style platforms work for trades?
Lead-generation platforms like MyBuilder function as marketplaces where homeowners and small businesses post repair, maintenance, or installation jobs. As a tradesperson, you either bid competitively on posted work or receive inbound leads directly, depending on the platform’s model. You typically pay a subscription fee, a per-lead cost, or a commission on completed work. The appeal is straightforward: qualified customer contact without the cost and time of traditional marketing. The reality, however, requires discipline. High-saturation platforms mean more competition, which can erode margins if you’re bidding against dozens of other tradespeople for the same job.
What are the main alternatives to MyBuilder in the UK?
The most established MyBuilder alternatives are Checkatrade, Rated People, Trustmark, and Quotatis. Checkatrade emphasises customer reviews and vetting—it can be harder to gain entry but attracts customers who value accreditation. Rated People operates on a similar model to MyBuilder, with competitive bidding and subscription tiers. Trustmark targets higher-end work and emphasises consumer protection and trader standards. Quotatis aggregates quotes and sends them to multiple traders simultaneously, which increases visibility but intensifies bidding pressure. Each has different fee structures: some charge monthly subscriptions, others charge per lead or take a percentage of booked work.
Beyond these major platforms, regional and trade-specific alternatives exist. For example, plumbing-specific platforms, electrician directories, and local job boards serve niche markets with less saturation. Some trades also perform well on Google Local Services Ads, which sit outside traditional marketplace platforms altogether and charge on a per-lead basis only when you accept work.
How do costs differ between these platforms?
Pricing models vary significantly. MyBuilder and Rated People typically offer tiered monthly subscriptions—you pay regardless of leads received—plus optional add-ons for featured placement or premium visibility. Checkatrade charges subscription fees and can include transaction fees on booked work. Quotatis and similar lead-aggregation services usually charge per lead delivered, so you pay only for contacts, not for platform access. This sounds economical, but lead quality can be mixed because you’re bidding alongside many competitors for the same customer.
The hidden cost of any platform is unprofitable bids. If you’re on a saturated platform, your conversion rate from lead to booked work drops, making your effective cost per job much higher than the headline subscription fee suggests. This is why many trades use multiple platforms simultaneously—they spread the risk and try to find the channels that deliver the highest-quality, lowest-competition leads for their particular skill set.
What leads to choosing one platform over another?
Your choice depends on your trade, local market, and whether you prefer inbound leads or competitive bidding. Electricians, plumbers, and decorators usually succeed on saturated platforms like MyBuilder or Rated People because volume and responsiveness matter more than differentiation. Specialist trades—say, stone restoration or bespoke carpentry—often perform better on Trustmark or niche platforms where fewer competitors exist and customers expect higher costs. Trades in rural areas may find regional platforms more cost-effective than national ones, because competition is lower and customer intent is geographically relevant.
Customer profile also matters. MyBuilder and Rated People attract price-sensitive, DIY-aware homeowners who compare multiple quotes. Checkatrade and Trustmark skew slightly older and more focused on peace of mind than price. If your business model relies on premium positioning or long-term relationships, a high-volume, low-margin platform may waste your time. Conversely, if you want consistent lead flow with minimal marketing effort, a subscription platform—even at higher cost—may suit you better than relying on organic search or word-of-mouth alone.
What are the common trade-offs between platforms?
Volume versus quality is the central trade-off. Large platforms like MyBuilder guarantee high lead volume but also high competition, which can reduce both your conversion rate and the quality of customer interaction. Smaller or niche platforms offer fewer leads but often less competitive bidding and higher-intent customers. Subscription models guarantee access but not results; lead-per-click models mean you only pay for direct contact, but the lead may be low-quality or already shopped to ten other traders.
Support and tools also vary. Some platforms offer basic job management and messaging; others provide lead analytics, customer reviews, and integration with your own systems. If you’re time-poor, integrated tools can offset the cost of the platform. If you’re comfortable managing leads yourself, a bare-bones, low-cost option may suffice. Vetting and accreditation requirements differ too: Checkatrade and Trustmark have stricter entry criteria, which protects your brand but takes time and cost to join. Open platforms like MyBuilder have lower barriers, which speeds entry but also increases the number of unqualified or transient traders competing on price.
How do these platforms fit into a broader lead strategy?
Most successful trades don’t rely on a single platform. They use a mix: perhaps a subscription platform for steady volume, a niche platform for specialist work, and organic channels—Google Business Profile, local SEO, referrals—for margin-friendly leads. This diversification reduces dependence on any one platform’s algorithm or fee changes, and it improves your overall lead cost when you account for conversion rates across channels.
The most overlooked alternative is building your own lead pipeline through social media and content marketing. For many trades, platforms like MyBuilder are a temporary solution while they establish organic channels. A tradespeople with a strong Google Business Profile, customer reviews, and local visibility can generate leads at a lower cost and higher margin than platform-dependent bidding. However, this requires consistent effort and patience—it’s not a quick fix. Many trades use platforms while they build organic presence, then scale back platform spend once referral and organic lead flow mature.