Lead generation · United Kingdom
Checkatrade
The UK's largest vetted trades directory — annual subscription model with verification + reviews
Market position
Checkatrade is the most recognizable UK trades-directory brand among consumers — 22% market share and 850K+ vetted member businesses. The vetting process (DBS check, insurance verification, reference checks) is the trust mechanism that makes UK homeowners willing to call a stranger from the directory. Annual subscription pricing (£950-£2,000+/year) is meaningfully different from US pay-per-lead models — once you're in, you pay flat regardless of lead volume.
United Kingdom-specific note
Vetting requires UK business registration, valid insurance, and the relevant trade certification (Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC for electrical, etc.). The £200 referral scheme is the closest thing to an affiliate program — no formal publisher partnership.
Pros
- + Strongest consumer-side brand recognition in UK trades — homeowners actively search Checkatrade by name
- + Annual subscription means cost predictability vs pay-per-lead variance
- + Vetting + review process keeps the competitive pool curated (lower-quality competitors filtered out)
- + Postcode-based exclusivity caps prevent endless dilution within a service area
Cons
- − £950-£2,000+/year annual subscription is significant up-front commitment for new businesses
- − Annual contract structure means low flexibility if the leads don't materialize at expected volume
- − Heavy reliance on customer-leaving-reviews — bad early reviews can damage long-term profile
- − No formal affiliate program for publishers means most third-party reviews are either marketing puff or anonymous complaints
Typical United Kingdom pricing
£950-£2,000+/year (postcode + trade dependent)
Why this matters for United Kingdom trades
Gas Safe Register (gas), NICEIC (electrical / Part P), and OFTEC (oil heating) are legal requirements — unlicensed work is a criminal offense, and software/insurance must handle RTI, CIS, and VAT natively.
UK trades vendor selection is shaped by mandatory certification (Gas Safe, NICEIC, OFTEC), compressed compliance (HMRC RTI, CIS deductions, auto-enrolment pensions, VAT), and directory-led consumer behavior (Checkatrade, MyBuilder).
Frequently asked
Is Checkatrade a good fit for United Kingdom trades?
Checkatrade is the most recognizable UK trades-directory brand among consumers — 22% market share and 850K+ vetted member businesses. The vetting process (DBS check, insurance verification, reference checks) is the trust mechanism that makes UK homeowners willing to call a stranger from the directory. Annual subscription pricing (£950-£2,000+/year) is meaningfully different from US pay-per-lead models — once you're in, you pay flat regardless of lead volume. Vetting requires UK business registration, valid insurance, and the relevant trade certification (Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC for electrical, etc.). The £200 referral scheme is the closest thing to an affiliate program — no formal publisher partnership.
What does Checkatrade cost in United Kingdom?
£950-£2,000+/year (postcode + trade dependent). Pricing and availability can change by region — confirm current United Kingdom pricing on the vendor's site before committing.