Checkatrade
UK tradesperson platform where every listed trade passes up to 12 checks
Key data
| Company | Vetted Limited (trading as Checkatrade) |
|---|---|
| Category | Home Services Marketplaces |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Search for tradespeople, message or request quotes, verified reviews, up to 12 checks, Checkatrade Guarantee, Checkatrade Pay, job estimator and cost guides |
| Pricing | Free for homeowners; platform fees may apply to some features and are shown before they are charged; trade membership prices are not shown on the pages we read |
| Best For | UK homeowners who want checked tradespeople with reviews and a guarantee |
| Replaces | Thumbtack |
Review in detail
Checkatrade is operated by Vetted Limited, whose registered office is Level 2, City Point, Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9SS, company number 04285394. The Platform Terms say they are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
The home page shows 4.8 from more than 114,000 ratings, 6M+ reviews and a GBP 1,000 guarantee. Checkatrade states that a tradesperson has passed up to 12 checks and is rechecked continually.
How Checkatrade vets tradespeople
Checkatrade separates checked tradespeople from free-profile tradespeople. The Platform Terms say a Checkatrade tradesperson has passed up to 12 checks and can be contacted through the platform, while free-profile tradespeople have not been checked and cannot be contacted there.
Checkatrade also states that it verifies reviews from jobs arranged on the platform.
The Checkatrade Guarantee
The guarantee is described as free and discretionary. It may contribute up to GBP 1,000 toward putting right sub-standard work by a Checkatrade tradesperson, if you contacted them through Checkatrade or paid with Checkatrade Pay and report the issue within 6 months.
Checkatrade states that it decides whether to offer support after reviewing the issue and that the guarantee does not replace your legal rights.
Checkatrade as a European alternative to Thumbtack
Checkatrade works for UK homeowners who want to compare checked trades rather than pay for lead competition. The platform terms place the contract for the work between you and the tradesperson.
Checkatrade covers trades such as plumbers, electricians, roofers and gardeners, and publishes cost guides, for example GBP 125 to GBP 320 a week for skip hire.
Where it falls short
Checkatrade is built around UK trades and UK law, so it does not help outside the United Kingdom. The pages we read do not show what tradespeople pay to join, or where data is hosted. Thumbtack lists more non-trade services such as events and lessons, which Checkatrade does not highlight. Compare with Bark for wider service categories.
Who Checkatrade fits
UK homeowners hiring plumbers, electricians, builders or gardeners who value vetting, verified reviews and a written guarantee over breadth of service types.
Advantages and drawbacks
Pros
- Company number and registered office published
- Up to 12 checks on listed trades
- Reviews from platform jobs are verified
- Free guarantee up to GBP 1,000
- Cost guides and job estimator for budgeting
Cons
- UK only
- Trade pricing not shown on the pages we read
- Guarantee is discretionary and capped
- Hosting location not stated
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Company number and registered office published
- Up to 12 checks on listed trades
- Reviews from platform jobs are verified
- Free guarantee up to GBP 1,000
- Cost guides and job estimator for budgeting
Cons
- UK only
- Trade pricing not shown on the pages we read
- Guarantee is discretionary and capped
- Hosting location not stated
Alternatives to Checkatrade
Further European home services marketplaces to compare:
See all European home services marketplaces or compare them directly against Thumbtack on our alternatives page.
Questions buyers ask
Checkatrade is the trading name of Vetted Limited, a company registered in England and Wales under number 04285394 with its registered office in London.
Checkatrade states that some platform features may carry a fee and that it shows the amount before you incur it. Searching and requesting quotes is not described as charged on the pages we read.
No. Checkatrade describes it as discretionary, capped at GBP 1,000 per approved claim, and available for Checkatrade tradespeople when you report sub-standard work within 6 months.