You do good work. The difficult part is keeping the diary full without paying for leads that go nowhere.

Checkatrade and MyBuilder can both put your business in front of homeowners. But they work in very different ways.

Checkatrade is mainly a fixed subscription. You pay for ongoing visibility and access to a larger flow of enquiries.

MyBuilder is mainly pay-per-lead. You can look for jobs without a monthly membership, then pay when a customer shortlists you and releases their details.

So which gets trades more work in 2026?

The honest answer is: it depends on your capacity, your area, your average job value and how quickly you respond.

Both platforms can help. Neither should replace your own Google Business Profile, website and quote process.

What is the real difference between Checkatrade and MyBuilder?

Short answer: Checkatrade gives you rented visibility through a fixed membership, while MyBuilder lets you choose individual opportunities and pay when shortlisted. Checkatrade may provide steadier lead volume. MyBuilder gives you more control when work levels and budgets change.

The two platforms are not selling exactly the same thing.

Checkatrade

You pay for a membership that usually runs on a 12-month contract. Your business appears in the Checkatrade network, where homeowners are already looking for trades.

The main advantages are:

  • More consistent visibility
  • Strong consumer brand awareness
  • A larger potential flow of enquiries
  • A profile that can provide reassurance to homeowners
  • Less need to search through individual jobs

The main drawbacks are:

  • You pay whether the month is busy or quiet
  • You may receive shared enquiries
  • You still need to compete with other recommended trades
  • The contract requires careful checking before you sign
  • Your results depend heavily on your response and conversion process

MyBuilder

You create a profile and browse jobs in your area. You can express interest in work, and the homeowner chooses which trades to shortlist.

You pay a shortlist fee when contact details are released. You do not normally pay a monthly membership fee.

The main advantages are:

  • No fixed monthly subscription
  • Easier to control your spending
  • Useful when you have spare capacity
  • You can choose jobs that fit your services
  • Less risk during quieter periods

The main drawbacks are:

  • You pay even if you do not win the job
  • Several trades may be shortlisted
  • The best jobs can attract plenty of interest
  • You need to monitor new opportunities
  • Lead costs can add up quickly if you chase everything

How much does Checkatrade cost in 2026?

Short answer: For lead-generating Checkatrade plans, allow roughly £199 to £399 per month as a working comparison range. Prices vary by trade, postcode and plan. Most paid plans involve a 12-month commitment, so calculate the full-year cost before joining.

That gives an estimated annual commitment of around £2,388 to £4,788 before VAT or any additional charges.

These figures are guidance, not a universal price list. Checkatrade pricing can change according to:

  • Your trade
  • Your service area
  • Local competition
  • The plan offered
  • Promotional terms
  • Whether extra lead or visibility options are included

You should request a current quote and read the contract carefully. The Checkatrade membership terms explain the contract and renewal arrangements.

The higher cost can make sense if you have:

  • Capacity for regular new work
  • A good close rate
  • A strong average job value
  • Someone available to answer quickly
  • A service area with enough homeowner demand

It becomes harder to justify when you are already fully booked, only want occasional jobs or cannot follow up promptly.

Tradesperson comparing fixed subscription costs with individual lead fees

How does MyBuilder charge tradespeople?

Short answer: MyBuilder normally has no monthly membership charge. You pay a shortlist fee when a homeowner selects you and contact details are exchanged. Everyday fees are often around £5 to £35, but larger or more valuable jobs can cost more.

The fee is not normally charged just because you see a job or express interest.

According to MyBuilder’s terms and conditions, the shortlist fee becomes payable when the customer shortlists you and your contact details are exchanged.

The exact amount depends on the opportunity. It may reflect:

  • The likely value of the job
  • The type of work
  • The location
  • The level of competition
  • The estimated size of the project

For plumbing and similar everyday work, £5 to £35 is a sensible planning range. Small jobs may cost less. Larger installations, extensions, rewires and substantial refurbishments may cost considerably more.

The important point is this: you pay for the opportunity, not the outcome.

If the homeowner never awards you the job, the fee may still be payable. That makes your follow-up process just as important as the lead price.

Which platform gives you more leads?

Short answer: Checkatrade is more likely to suit a trade wanting a steady flow of enquiries, while MyBuilder suits someone who wants to select individual jobs. Neither guarantees profitable work. Lead volume only matters if you can answer, quote and close consistently.

Checkatrade’s subscription model is designed to keep your business visible over time. That can help if you want a regular source of enquiries and have enough capacity to handle them.

MyBuilder gives you a more active role. You decide which jobs to pursue, then pay when a customer shortlists you.

This creates two different working habits.

With Checkatrade, you might receive enquiries while working on site. Your job is to respond quickly and qualify the customer.

With MyBuilder, you need to check the platform, find suitable opportunities and send a useful introduction before the homeowner chooses who to shortlist.

Neither option removes competition. Homeowners can compare several businesses on both platforms.

The best source is the one that produces profitable booked work, not the one that sends the most notifications.

Which option is better if your workload changes?

Short answer: MyBuilder is usually safer when your workload changes from week to week because there is no monthly commitment. Checkatrade can work better when you have dependable capacity and want ongoing visibility, but its fixed cost continues during quiet periods.

This is where many sole traders get caught out.

A fixed subscription can look reasonable during a busy month. It feels less attractive when you are fully booked, taking time off or dealing with a seasonal slowdown.

MyBuilder allows you to reduce your activity when you have enough work. You may still receive opportunities, but you are not paying a regular membership fee.

That flexibility is useful for:

  • New businesses
  • Part-time tradespeople
  • Seasonal services
  • Trades with uneven demand
  • Businesses testing a new area
  • Sole traders with limited marketing budgets

Checkatrade may be the better fit when you have a van, team or diary capacity that needs filling consistently.

Before choosing, look at your last three months of work. Ask:

  1. How many extra jobs could I actually take?
  2. What is my average gross profit per job?
  3. How quickly can I respond?
  4. How many enquiries turn into site visits?
  5. How many quotes become paid work?

Do not commit based on the promise of “more leads” alone.

Does your location affect the result?

Short answer: Yes. A platform can perform well in one postcode and poorly in another. Urban areas may provide more enquiries but also more competition. Rural areas may have fewer leads, larger travel distances and a stronger need for accurate service-area targeting.

Your location affects both cost and conversion.

A busy city may produce plenty of enquiries, but customers can compare many nearby businesses. You may need stronger reviews, clearer pricing and faster replies.

A rural business may face fewer direct competitors but cover a wider area. A lead that looks attractive may become unprofitable once travel time, fuel and unpaid surveying are included.

Check every opportunity against:

  • Travel distance
  • Parking and access
  • Minimum job value
  • Your preferred service area
  • Whether the customer has provided enough detail
  • The likely time needed to quote

Do not assume a lead is worthwhile simply because it is nearby. A vague enquiry can still consume half a day.

How quickly do you need to respond?

Short answer: Respond as quickly as you reasonably can, ideally within minutes rather than hours. Homeowners often contact several trades at once. A clear first reply, realistic availability and a simple next step can make the difference between a conversation and a lost lead.

Speed matters on both platforms.

You do not need to write a long sales message. You need to show that you have understood the job and can take the next step.

Try this structure:

Thanks for getting in touch. I can help with [specific service]. Please send your postcode, a few photos and your preferred timing. I will confirm whether I can quote and suggest the next step.

Then follow up when you say you will.

A slow response wastes the money you have already spent on visibility or shortlist fees. It also makes your business look less organised than a competitor who replies promptly.

Your website should make this process easier. Give visitors a clear service list, service area, phone number and quote route.

You can also let customers request an estimate through VU1’s quote builder, rather than relying only on a contact form.

Simple quote conversion journey from enquiry to booked trade job

Are Checkatrade and MyBuilder better than Google?

Short answer: They can provide quicker access to homeowner demand, but they are rented visibility. Your own Google Business Profile and website build an asset you control. Use lead platforms to support your marketing, not as the only place customers can find you.

A directory or marketplace can put you in front of ready-to-buy customers. That is useful.

But you do not control:

  • How the platform ranks your profile
  • How many competitors appear beside you
  • The platform’s prices
  • Its contract terms
  • The customer relationship before contact is released
  • What happens if the platform changes its rules

Your Google Business Profile, website and reviews give you a direct route to local customers.

They also help you reduce dependence on paid lead sources over time.

Start by checking whether your business is visible for searches such as:

  • Secondary glazing installer near me
  • Emergency plumber in [your town]
  • Local electrician for a consumer unit
  • Window fitter near me
  • Roof repair in [your area]

Use VU1’s free local SEO audit to see where your business is losing visibility. It takes under 15 seconds to request : the report lands within a few minutes.

The audit checks local, website and technical signals in plain English. It does not promise rankings. It shows you what needs attention first.

Should you choose Checkatrade or MyBuilder?

Short answer: Choose Checkatrade if you can support a fixed 12-month cost and want broader ongoing visibility. Choose MyBuilder if you need flexible, pay-as-you-go lead access. Test your conversion rate before making either platform a major part of your marketing.

Use this simple guide:

Choose Checkatrade if:

  • You have regular spare capacity
  • You want a steady enquiry source
  • Your average job value supports the subscription
  • You can answer calls and messages promptly
  • You are comfortable with a 12-month contract
  • You value the platform’s consumer brand

Choose MyBuilder if:

  • Your workload changes often
  • You want no monthly commitment
  • You prefer selecting individual jobs
  • You are testing a new service area
  • You can monitor opportunities frequently
  • You want to keep initial marketing spend flexible

Use both carefully if:

  • You track every lead
  • You record the source of every booked job
  • You know your acceptable cost per acquisition
  • You have enough capacity to respond properly
  • You review results every month

A useful spreadsheet only needs a few columns:

  • Platform
  • Lead date
  • Lead cost
  • Job type
  • Quoted value
  • Won or lost
  • Reason lost
  • Gross profit

After three months, you will have better evidence than any sales pitch.

What should you do before paying for more leads?

Short answer: Check your own visibility and quote process first. Fix the obvious leaks on your Google Business Profile and website, then test one lead platform with a clear budget. Track responses, quotes and booked work before increasing spend.

Do not buy more leads if your current enquiries are already going unanswered.

First, make sure customers can:

  • Find your business locally
  • Understand your main services
  • See where you work
  • Trust your reviews and photos
  • Call or message you easily
  • Request a quote without friction

If you want a broader local visibility and conversion setup, explore VU1 membership at £99 per month. Use it to identify visibility problems, monitor changes and give website visitors a clearer route to request a quote.

Checkatrade and MyBuilder can both be useful tools. But your long-term aim should be to build a business that customers can find and contact without relying entirely on either platform.

Start by checking your local visibility now. Request the free VU1 audit in under 15 seconds, then use the report to decide what deserves your time and budget first.