Rated People Leads Cost Too Much? Here's How to Spend Less and Get More

For many UK tradespeople, Rated People is a well-known platform for finding work. But as membership fees and lead costs continue to rise while lead quality becomes increasingly questionable, more and more tradesmen are asking: Are Rated People leads worth the cost? If you're tired of paying high fees with disappointing returns, you're not alone.

In this guide, we'll break down the true cost of Rated People leads, how their subscription model works, and alternatives options for cheaper, higher-converting trade leads.

How Much Do Rated People Leads Really Cost?

Rated People operates on a dual-cost model that many tradespeople find increasingly expensive:

• Annual membership fee - Currently around £20-£30 per month (£240-£360 annually) to access the platform
• Pay-per-lead costs - Ranging from £3 to £30+ per lead depending on job type and location

For example, a bathroom fitting lead in London might cost you £25, while a simple handyman job could be around £6. But here's what makes it problematic:

• You pay for leads whether you win the job or not
• Each lead is typically sent to multiple tradespeople
• Some homeowners are just price shopping with no real intention to proceed
• You need to maintain a high rating to stay visible, creating pressure to discount

For many trades, this means you could quickly spend £500-£1,000+ monthly between membership and leads, often with disappointing conversion rates.

The Problem with Shared Leads

Rated People's business model, like many lead generation platforms, relies on selling the same customer to multiple tradespeople:

• Each job request is typically shared with multiple tradespeople
• All paying tradespeople compete against each other for the same job
• This creates immediate price competition and a race to the bottom
• Many homeowners choose based solely on price, not quality or expertise
• You're essentially paying to enter a bidding war

Alternatives to Rated People

If you're looking for more affordable and effective ways to generate business, consider these alternatives:

1. HomebuyerLeads.co.uk

This platform provides exclusive leads from recent homebuyers who are actively looking to improve their new properties:

• You receive exclusive access to homeowner data - no competing with other tradespeople
• Recent homebuyers typically spend 2x more on home improvements in their first year thant the average
• Targeted by location, property type, and purchase date
• No membership fees or bidding wars
• Fixed, predictable costs with higher conversion rates

2. Google Business Profile + Local SEO

Investing in your online presence can generate free, organic leads:

• Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
• Actively collect and respond to customer reviews
• Optimize your website for local search terms
• Create content that answers common customer questions

While this takes time to build, it creates a sustainable flow of leads without ongoing per-lead costs.

3. Referral Networks

Building relationships with complementary trades can create a steady stream of referrals:

• Partner with related but non-competing trades (plumbers referring electricians, etc.)
• Offer referral incentives to past customers
• Join local business networking groups

Rated People vs HomebuyerLeads: Quick Comparison

Feature	Rated People	HomebuyerLeads
Cost Structure	Monthly membership + per-lead fees	Pay only for leads, no membership fees
Lead Exclusivity	Shared with multiple tradespeople	100% exclusive to you
Customer Intent	Mixed; many price-shopping only	High intent; recent homebuyers ready to improve
Price Competition	High (immediate bidding war)	None (you're the only tradesperson)
Lead Quality	Variable; often price-sensitive	High quality; homeowners with renovation budgets
Predictability	Unpredictable costs and conversion rates	Fixed costs with higher conversion potential

Final Thoughts: Get More, Spend Less

While Rated People has helped many tradespeople find work over the years, their increasing costs and competitive lead model are pushing many businesses to seek alternatives.

By focusing on exclusive leads from platforms like HomebuyerLeads.co.uk, building your online presence, and developing referral networks, you can create a more sustainable business model with higher margins and less price competition.

The most successful tradespeople are moving away from shared lead platforms and toward marketing channels where they can showcase their quality and expertise rather than competing solely on price.