Checkatrade, MyBuilder or Rated People? A Practical Comparison for UK Traders

If you run a trade business in the UK, you've probably heard of Checkatrade, MyBuilder, and Rated People. They all promise the same basic thing: connect you with customers who need your services. But they work differently, cost different amounts, and attract different types of jobs.

The truth is there's no single "best" platform. What works for a plumber in Manchester might not work for a furniture restorer in Cornwall. Let's break down what each one actually does.

Checkatrade: The Vetted Reputation Game

Checkatrade positions itself as the vetting-focused option. They carry out background checks on traders, verify insurance, and actively manage customer reviews. The company processes reviews on its own terms, not automatically, which means fewer one-off negative reviews from unhappy customers tend to stick around.

Joining costs around £200 upfront, then £50 to £150 per month depending on your trade and location. That's the most expensive of the three platforms by default.

The upside? Customers who use Checkatrade generally trust the verification process. If you're doing high-value work like kitchen refits or furniture installation, this matters. People spend more time researching before they book, but when they do book, they're serious.

The downside is response time. Jobs go to all eligible traders at once, so you're competing against dozens of others for a single kitchen job in your area. You need to respond within 30 minutes for most inquiries.

MyBuilder: Volume and Speed

MyBuilder operates on a membership model that costs £0 to join, but you only pay per job through their "job credits" system. Most single jobs cost between £6 and £15 to quote on, depending on the category. Furniture assembly and fitting jobs tend to sit at the lower end.

The platform is built for speed. Customers post jobs, jobs go live within minutes, and traders compete on price and how quickly they respond. It's auction-style tendering.

This suits certain trades perfectly. If you do high-volume, lower-value work, the credit system means you only pay when you're actually quoting. A furniture delivery company doing 20 jobs a week can manage that. A bespoke furniture maker quoting once a month might struggle with the pay-per-quote model.

Customer vetting on MyBuilder is lighter than Checkatrade. Reviews are published automatically, so you see both good and bad feedback. Some traders argue this is fairer. Others find the constant low ratings from difficult customers frustrating.

Rated People: The Middle Ground

Rated People sits between the two extremes. Monthly subscriptions range from around £20 for basic membership to £100+ for premium packages. Unlike MyBuilder, you pay a flat monthly fee and get unlimited job access. Unlike Checkatrade, the vetting is less formal.

Jobs come through as leads, and you've got time to respond. It's not a 30-minute scramble like Checkatrade, but it's not completely open either. You typically get 24 hours to quote.

Rated People has repositioned itself in recent years toward quality over volume. The platform actively encourages longer-term customer relationships rather than one-off jobs. For furniture makers or restoration specialists building a client base, that can work well.

Review management sits somewhere in the middle too. Bad reviews are published, but Rated People gives traders a chance to respond and resolve issues before they're final.

Which One for Furniture Businesses?

If you're in the furniture sector, your choice depends on what type of work you actually do.

Running a furniture delivery and assembly service? MyBuilder is probably your answer. High volume, straightforward jobs, and you pay only when you bid. Checkatrade might be overkill for assembly work, and the monthly fees harder to justify.

Doing bespoke furniture making, restoration, or interior design consultation? Checkatrade or Rated People makes more sense. Your jobs are higher value, customers want to know they're hiring someone legitimate, and you don't need 50 inquiries a week. One good consultation at £500+ pays for your monthly subscription several times over.

Running a general handyman service that includes flat-pack assembly and basic furniture installation? Rated People offers a reasonable balance. Lower barrier to entry than Checkatrade, but more stable revenue than MyBuilder's credit system.

The Real Costs

Monthly fees aren't the whole picture. Consider your time responding to leads.

On Checkatrade, the 30-minute response rule means you're always watching. If you're working on site and don't check your phone regularly, you'll miss jobs. That's a hidden cost in attention.

MyBuilder's credit system means you control response time better, but you're paying per lead. If your conversion rate is poor, those credits add up quickly. A trader converting one in ten quotes will pay £1.20 to £1.50 per job they actually win on that platform.

Rated People's flat fee is predictable but only works if you actually win enough jobs from it. A slow month still costs you the same subscription.

The Bottom Line

Test each platform with a short trial if they offer one. MyBuilder doesn't lock you into a contract, so you can try a few job credits without spending much. Checkatrade and Rated People offer free or discounted initial periods on some tiers.

Track which platform brings jobs that actually close, and which ones waste your time with looky-loos. The best platform is the one that fills your schedule with work you actually want to do.

Many successful traders use two platforms simultaneously. Checkatrade for high-value kitchen and bathroom jobs, MyBuilder for assembly and fitting work. It's not an either/or choice. Start with the one that matches your main income stream, then expand once you understand how it works.