How does each platform charge tradespeople?
Checkatrade mainly sells 12-month memberships, MyBuilder charges a fee when a customer shortlists you, and Rated People now routes its leads through Checkatrade. The models are quite different, so the cheapest headline price is not always the cheapest per job.
Here is what each platform says on its own pages as of October 2026. Fees and terms change, so always check the current figures with the platform before you commit.
| Platform | How you pay | What the platform says |
|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade | Fixed plans (12 months), plus optional pay-per-click Sponsored Listings | Its trade sign-up page says memberships are for 12 months and you choose how many leads you want each year. Sponsored Listings are pay per click, from £100 a month. |
| MyBuilder | No membership. You pay a shortlist fee when a homeowner picks you | Its tradesperson page says shortlist fees typically range from £2 to £35, depending on the size of the job. |
| Rated People | Now part of Checkatrade Group | Its September 2026 announcement says old memberships have ended and Checkatrade membership, starting at £30 a month, gives access to leads from both. |
Checkatrade also says prices vary by trade and location, so the “from” price is a starting point, not a quote for your business.
How do you work out if a platform pays for itself?
Divide what you spend in a year by the number of jobs you actually win from it. That gives you a cost per won job, which you can compare with the profit on an average job.
Here is a made-up example to show the maths. These are not real figures from any platform.
- Add up your total spend for the year, including membership, extra lead credits and any ads.
- Count the enquiries that came from the platform. Use the tracked phone number or the platform dashboard.
- Count how many of those turned into paid jobs.
- Divide total spend by paid jobs. That is your cost per won job.
- Compare it with your average profit per job, not your average invoice.
For example, a plumber who spends £1,200 in a year and wins 24 jobs from it pays £50 per won job. If the average boiler service leaves £60 profit, that is thin. If the average bathroom refit leaves £1,500 profit, it is easy money. The same platform can be great for one trade and poor for another.
Track this for at least a few months. One good or bad month does not tell you much.
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Is MyBuilder better than Checkatrade?
Neither is better for everyone. MyBuilder suits trades who want to pay only when a customer shortlists them, while Checkatrade suits trades who want a steady, planned flow of leads and are happy with a yearly commitment.
- MyBuilder may suit you if you are just starting out, you want to test demand in a new area, or you want spend to rise and fall with work.
- Checkatrade may suit you if homeowners in your area search it a lot, you want a vetted badge on your profile, and you can handle a fixed monthly cost.
- Either way, you are competing with other trades for the same job, so speed of reply and a good profile matter.
Many trades use one platform for a while, track results, then decide. There is no rule that says you must pick one for life.
What happened to Rated People?
Rated People joined Checkatrade Group in September 2026. According to Rated People’s own announcement, previous memberships ended and tradespeople who want Rated People jobs now need a Checkatrade membership.
If you were a Rated People member, check that announcement for how to get your past job data and who to contact about your old membership. If you are comparing “Rated People vs MyBuilder” today, you are really comparing Checkatrade Group with MyBuilder.
What are the best alternatives to Checkatrade?
The strongest alternative is lead flow you own: your own website, your Google Business Profile and genuine reviews. Other platforms and paid ads can sit alongside that.
| Channel | How it works | Who owns the customer? |
|---|---|---|
| Your website | People find you on Google and call or fill in a form | You |
| Google Business Profile | You show in Google Maps and the local map results, free to set up | You |
| Google Ads and Local Services Ads | You pay per click or per lead to appear at the top of Google | You |
| Lead platforms | The platform finds the customer and charges you for access | Shared with the platform and rival trades |
A good starting point is our guide to a Google Maps business listing. If you want paid leads you control, see what Google Ads costs for tradesmen and our guide to Google Local Services Ads in the UK.
Can you get work without Checkatrade?
Yes. Plenty of trades get all their work from referrals, Google and repeat customers. Platforms are one way to fill the diary, not the only way.
The catch is that your own channels take a few months to build. That is why many trades keep a platform running while their website and Google profile grow, then cut back once the direct enquiries come in.
To build your own lead flow, focus on these:
- A fast, mobile-friendly website with clear prices or “from” guides, photos of real jobs and an easy contact form.
- A complete Google Business Profile with your service areas, services and regular photos.
- A simple routine for asking every happy customer for a review. Our guide on how to ask for Google reviews has scripts you can copy.
- Pages for each main service and the towns you cover, built through local SEO.
Platform reviews stay on the platform. Reviews on your Google profile stay with your business, which is one more reason to build both.
FAQs
How much does Checkatrade cost per month?
Checkatrade says prices vary by trade and location. Rated People’s September 2026 announcement says Checkatrade membership starts at £30 a month, and Checkatrade’s pay-per-click Sponsored Listings start from £100 a month. Memberships are usually 12-month plans, so check the full yearly cost and terms before you sign.
Is MyBuilder better than Checkatrade?
It depends on your trade and how you like to pay. MyBuilder has no membership and charges a shortlist fee when a homeowner picks you, which it says typically ranges from £2 to £35. Checkatrade mostly sells 12-month plans with a planned number of leads. Track cost per won job on whichever you try.
Does Rated People charge per lead?
Rated People joined Checkatrade Group in September 2026 and its old memberships ended. Its help pages now describe a fixed lead plan on a 12-month term and a board where you pay only when you choose to unlock a lead. Prices are not published, so ask its sales team for current costs.
What are the best alternatives to Checkatrade?
The best long-term alternative is lead flow you own: your own website, a complete Google Business Profile and genuine Google reviews. MyBuilder, Google Ads and Google Local Services Ads are also options. Many trades use a platform while their own channels grow.
Can I get work without Checkatrade?
Yes. Many trades win all their work from referrals, Google searches and repeat customers. Building your own website, Google profile and reviews takes a few months, so keeping a platform running during that time can help, then you can cut back as direct enquiries grow.
