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

Full Article

For UK tradespeople trying to grow their business, Rated People is a popular option in the pay-per-lead space.

Many have had success on the platform — but others have questioned whether the cost, competition, and conversion rate make it a sustainable long-term strategy.

This article explores how the platform works, summarises publicly shared experiences from industry publications, and offers alternatives that may deliver better control and lower cost per job.

How Rated People Works

Rated People uses a credit-based lead system. Tradespeople:

• Purchase credits in advance
• Use those credits to buy access to job leads in their category/location
• Compete with up to 2 other professionals who may have purchased the same lead
• Only pay for the right to contact — there's no guarantee of a job or even a response

Many trades find that it takes multiple purchased leads before securing a paying customer, so calculating your true cost-per-acquired job is critical.

Public Feedback: What Trades Are Saying

An article from Tradesman Saver says that the cost of leads can add up and may not be ideal for everyone, espcially as there's no guarantee of a job or even a response:

"paying £20 + VAT per month just for the opportunity to then pay an average of £15 for a lead that might not pay off may not be ideal for every tradesman’s budget."

Another comparison article published by Tradesman Saver also mentions that the same leads can be resold, which can lead to a race to the bottom.

These viewpoints don't represent every user, but they do reflect recurring concerns, particularly for solo trades or those trying to minimise marketing spend.

Key Considerations

Some common experiences mentioned by tradespeople in forums and articles include:

• Cost vs conversion: It may take 5–10 paid leads to win a single job, depending on your trade and area
• Shared leads: You're not the only one contacting a homeowner — up to 3 businesses receive each lead
• Lead quality: Some leads may be vague or time-wasters, though others can convert well with the right follow-up

Rated People remains a widely used tool in the industry, but it's not always the most cost-efficient — especially for newer businesses or those with tight margins.

Alternatives to Explore

If you're looking for ways to reduce competition, improve consistency, or lower cost per lead, here are a few proven options:

🏡 1. Direct Access to New Homeowners

Services like HomebuyerLeads.co.uk offer postcode-specific lists of recent property buyers — people actively improving their homes. Advantages include:

• Exclusive leads (no sharing)
• No platform fees or credits
• High-intent audience
• You control outreach timing and message

This flips the traditional lead model — you reach out first, instead of waiting for a lead to appear.

🌐 2. Google Business + SEO

Google is still the #1 way homeowners find trades. With a free Google Business Profile, great reviews, and local keywords on your site, you can generate organic leads at no cost.

🤝 3. Social Proof and Referrals

Encouraging reviews and referrals (e.g., through Facebook groups or estate agent partnerships) remains a powerful — and inexpensive — way to drive new business.

Rated People vs HomebuyerLeads: A Quick Snapshot

Feature	Rated People	HomebuyerLeads
Lead Type	Shared (up to 3 trades)	Exclusive to 1 tradesperson
Cost Model	Pay-per-lead (credit-based)	Flat fee per postcode
Conversion Certainty	Variable; depends on response	Higher intent (recent movers)
Competition	Moderate to High	None

Final Thoughts

Rated People may be a good option if you're in a high-volume trade with quick turnaround and are happy to compete on price and speed. But if you're looking for exclusive access, lower competition, and better control of your spend, direct outreach models and alternative lead sources may be worth testing.