How to Get Trade Leads on Checkatrade

If you're a tradesperson in the UK, chances are you've heard of Checkatrade. It's one of the most well-known directories for finding trade work, offering access to thousands of homeowner leads. But is it the most effective way to grow your business in 2024? Let's explore how to get leads on Checkatrade, how the system works, and whether there are smarter alternatives.

How Does Checkatrade Work for Tradespeople?

Checkatrade is a lead generation platform that connects homeowners with vetted tradespeople. As a trade professional, you pay a subscription fee (which can range from several hundred to thousands of pounds annually) to be listed on their site.

Once listed, homeowners in your area can find your profile and request quotes. You're rated based on customer reviews, response time, and profile quality. However, many tradespeople report that:

• Leads are often shared with multiple competitors
• Some enquiries are low quality or not followed through
• The monthly cost can be high relative to the number of jobs won

How to Maximise Trade Leads on Checkatrade

If you're already using Checkatrade or plan to try it, here are a few tips to increase your chances of getting consistent leads:

Complete Your Profile

• Upload real photos of your past projects
• Clearly list all services offered
• Include service areas and specialisations

Gather Positive Reviews Early

• Ask every customer to leave a review right after a job
• More reviews = more visibility

Respond Quickly

• Homeowners often choose the first few tradespeople who respond
• Set up app notifications and reply ASAP to every lead

Use Targeted Keywords in Your Bio

• Mention your trade, service area, and specialisations (e.g. "Emergency plumber in Sheffield")

Maintain a High Review Score

• Reviews directly influence your ranking in local search results on Checkatrade

Limitations of Checkatrade for Lead Generation

While Checkatrade can work for some, many tradespeople feel it isn't cost-effective long term. Common complaints include:

• Paying for leads that don't convert
• Competing with multiple tradesmen for the same job
• High subscription fees with unclear ROI

In a competitive environment where every job counts, relying on Checkatrade alone can limit your growth potential.

A Smarter Alternative: Target Recent Homebuyers

One of the most effective ways to get high-converting trade leads is by focusing on recently purchased homes. Why?

• New homeowners are actively looking to improve their property
• They're 3–5x more likely to hire a tradesperson within the first 12 months
• They're more motivated and less price-sensitive than casual browsers

Services like HomebuyerLeads.co.uk specialise in exactly that — giving tradespeople exclusive access to new homeowners in their local area. Unlike Checkatrade, you're not competing with five other trades for the same job. You get leads directly tied to people who need work done now.

Checkatrade vs HomebuyerLeads: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Checkatrade	HomebuyerLeads
Lead Type	Shared among tradespeople	Exclusive recent homebuyer leads
Cost Model	Subscription + competition for jobs	Pay-as-you-go or subscription for fresh, direct leads
Conversion Likelihood	Moderate	High (targeted, high-intent leads)
Competition	High	Low

Conclusion

Getting trade leads on Checkatrade is possible — and many tradespeople have seen some success. But for those tired of competing on price and speed, and dealing with low-quality enquiries, there's a smarter route.

If you're looking to grow your trade business with high-intent, exclusive leads from real homeowners, consider alternative sources like HomebuyerLeads.co.uk. You'll waste less time chasing dead-end quotes and spend more time doing the work that pays.