Most tradespeople start on Checkatrade. It’s quick, there’s already a customer base looking at it, and you don’t need to think about websites or Google. That makes sense when you’re getting started.
The question that comes up after a year or two is whether Checkatrade is still worth the monthly fee — and whether having your own website would generate better results for less money. This guide goes through both options honestly: what each one gives you, what it costs, and when each makes sense.
Key Takeaways
- Checkatrade subscriptions cost approximately £199–£399/month depending on your trade and region — that’s £2,400–£4,800/year
- Your own website with a managed provider like Digital Tradies starts from £49/month — £588/year with no setup fee
- Checkatrade gives you immediate access to an existing customer base; your own website builds an asset you own permanently
- According to BrightLocal’s 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey, 98% of UK consumers used the internet to find local business information in the past year — a well-ranked website captures this directly
- Once you stop paying Checkatrade, your profile disappears; a website you own keeps working regardless of your subscription status
- The strongest approach for most tradespeople is a combination: use Checkatrade early on, build your own website alongside it, and reduce Checkatrade dependency as your own leads grow
What Is Checkatrade — and How Does It Actually Work?
Checkatrade is a paid lead generation platform. Customers visit the site, search by trade and location, and contact tradespeople from a verified directory. Checkatrade vets members, displays reviews, and in theory drives enquiries to your profile.
The subscription model means you pay a monthly fee to appear in search results on their platform. You don’t pay per lead — it’s a flat rate for visibility. They also offer enhanced listings and advertising within their platform for additional fees.
What Checkatrade gives you:
- Visibility to people already on the Checkatrade platform
- A verified badge that adds credibility with customers who recognise the brand
- A review system that sits on your profile
- Some leads from people who specifically search Checkatrade for tradespeople
What Checkatrade doesn’t give you:
- Any presence on Google (unless your Checkatrade profile appears in search results, which benefits Checkatrade, not you)
- An asset that you own — cancel and it’s gone
- Control over how your business looks or what information is shown
- Any SEO benefit — the authority goes to Checkatrade’s domain, not yours
What Does Your Own Website Give You?
Your own website is a digital asset you control. When someone searches “plumber Bristol” or “roofer near me” on Google, a well-built website with local SEO has the potential to appear — and those clicks come to you without a middleman.
What your own website gives you:
- Visibility in Google search and Google Maps (independent of any platform)
- Something you own permanently — it doesn’t disappear when you stop paying a third party
- Full control over your business presentation, pricing information, and contact details
- A place to collect and display your own Google reviews
- Credibility with customers who look you up after a referral or word-of-mouth recommendation
- A foundation that compounds over time as your Google ranking improves
What your own website doesn’t give you (immediately):
- Instant leads — SEO takes 3–6 months to build momentum on a new site
- A ready-made audience — you need to drive traffic through Google, word of mouth, and marketing
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Checkatrade | Your Own Website |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ~£199–£399/month | £49–£79/month (managed) |
| Setup time | Days | 3–7 days (managed provider) |
| Speed to first lead | Fast (weeks) | Slower (months) |
| Long-term lead cost | Fixed and rising | Drops over time |
| You own it | No | Yes |
| Google ranking | No (Checkatrade ranks, not you) | Yes (your site ranks) |
| Works after you cancel | No | Yes |
| Brand control | Limited | Complete |
| Review portability | Reviews stay on Checkatrade | Google reviews stay with you |
| Suits established businesses | Depends on ROI | Strong |
The Real Cost Comparison
Checkatrade pricing varies by trade and region, but most subscriptions run between £199 and £399/month as of 2026. Some trades pay more. Some get promotional rates to start, which increase after the initial period.
| Option | Monthly cost | Year 1 total | Year 3 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade (mid-range) | ~£280/month | ~£3,360 | ~£10,080 |
| DIY website (Wix/Squarespace) | ~£20/month | ~£240 + your time | ~£720 + your time |
| Managed website (Digital Tradies) | £49/month | £588 | £1,764 |
| Freelance website | £1,500 upfront | £1,500 + £200 hosting | £2,100 total |
The Checkatrade number isn’t wrong — it’s just that you’re paying ongoing rent for visibility that you’ll lose if you ever cancel. A website is an investment that keeps generating value.
The “Renting vs Owning” Problem
The core issue with Checkatrade isn’t that it doesn’t work — it often does, particularly for tradespeople who are just starting out or moving into a new area. The issue is that every pound you spend rents attention rather than building anything.
After three years of Checkatrade at £280/month, you’ve paid over £10,000 and your business position is exactly where it was on day one if you cancel. After three years of a professional website with good reviews and local SEO, you have:
- A Google Business Profile with dozens of real reviews
- A website that ranks for local searches in your area
- A professional online presence that validates you to customers who find you any other way
That’s an asset that has real value. The Checkatrade subscription has none once you stop paying.
When Checkatrade Still Makes Sense
This isn’t an argument to cancel Checkatrade tomorrow. There are situations where it earns its fee.
It makes sense to stay on Checkatrade if:
- You’re in a trade or area where Checkatrade has strong customer penetration (heating engineers and plumbers tend to see more Checkatrade traffic than niche trades)
- You’re getting a clear, calculable return — e.g., three jobs a month from it that cover the subscription and then some
- You’re new to an area and need leads quickly while your website builds authority
- You don’t yet have enough Google reviews to compete organically for local searches
It may be time to reduce Checkatrade if:
- Your website is generating consistent enquiries from Google
- You’re not tracking which leads come from Checkatrade vs other sources (if you don’t know, you’re probably overpaying)
- The leads you’re getting are heavily price-driven (Checkatrade customers often compare multiple quotes aggressively)
- The monthly fee is eating into margins significantly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Checkatrade worth it for tradespeople? It depends on your trade, location, and how many jobs you’re getting from it. For some tradespeople — particularly heating engineers and plumbers in areas with high Checkatrade traffic — it generates a reliable return. For others, the subscription cost isn’t justified by the leads coming through. Track your Checkatrade jobs separately for three months and calculate whether the revenue covers the cost. If not, reinvest that budget in your own website.
What is better than Checkatrade for tradespeople? Your Google Business Profile combined with a professional website is the most powerful long-term alternative. It’s free to set up a Google Business Profile, and the traffic you generate through Google stays with you permanently. For the website side, managed providers like Digital Tradies start from £49/month — a fraction of Checkatrade’s subscription cost — and include hosting, ongoing updates, and support.
Which is more reliable, Checkatrade or TrustATrader? Both are paid directory platforms with similar models. Checkatrade has larger brand recognition with UK consumers, so it typically generates more enquiries. TrustATrader is cheaper and may offer better value if you’re in a trade or region where Checkatrade’s audience is thinner. Neither builds anything you own — both are renting visibility.
What’s happened to Checkatrade recently? Checkatrade merged with MyBuilder in 2021 under HomeServe and has since been through ownership changes. Subscription prices have risen over the years. Some tradespeople on trade forums report that lead quality has declined and volume is lower than it was in Checkatrade’s earlier years — though this varies by trade and region.
Can I use both Checkatrade and my own website? Yes, and this is often the smartest approach. Use Checkatrade to generate leads while your website builds momentum in Google. Once your website is generating consistent enquiries, reassess whether Checkatrade’s fee is still justified. Many tradespeople keep a Checkatrade profile at a lower tier while running their own website as the primary lead source.
The Verdict
Checkatrade has a place in a trade business’s marketing mix — but it shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on. The businesses that generate the most consistent work combine a professional website (which they own and which compounds over time) with selective use of lead platforms where they make financial sense.
If you don’t have a website yet, that’s the first thing to fix. A professional trade website from Digital Tradies starts from £49/month with no setup fee — built in three days, hosted and maintained for you. You’ll spend less than a quarter of what Checkatrade costs and build something that keeps working long after you’ve stopped paying for it.
For more on what a good trade website needs, read what a tradesman website should include and how much a trade website costs in 2026.
