# Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Rated People or your own ads? A UK comparison

> How Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Rated People and Bark charge UK tradespeople, how many trades see each lead, and when your own Google Ads work out cheaper.

URL: https://leadwisemarketing.com/blog/checkatrade-vs-own-ads-uk/
Publisher: LeadWise Marketing (Cape Town, South Africa; serving the United States and Europe)
Published: 2026-09-05 · Updated: 2026-09-25 · Reading time: 4 min


## The short version

- Checkatrade charges a monthly membership, with no joining fee. MyBuilder charges a fee when a customer shortlists you. Rated People combines a membership with paid leads. Bark sells leads for credits.
- Most platforms let the customer compare several trades, so you are rarely the only one quoting.
- Your own Google Ads send enquiries to you alone, but they take more setup.
- Compare every option on the cost of a won job, not the monthly fee.

Platform pricing changes often and usually depends on your trade and area. The details below come from each platform's own pages, linked at the end. Check the current terms before you sign anything.

## How each platform charges

| Platform | How you pay | Competition for each job |
|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade | Monthly membership, no joining fee. Basic plans from around £30 + VAT a month, more for higher lead volumes | Customers compare members in their area |
| MyBuilder | A shortlist fee when a customer shortlists you and contact details are shared, based on job size, value and location | Several trades can express interest |
| Rated People | Membership that includes credit, plus a price per lead based on trade, location and customer intent | Up to 3 tradespeople per lead |
| Bark | Prepaid credits. Credits per lead depend on the service, job value and local demand. Credits are valid for 3 months | Reported as up to 5 professionals per lead |
| Your own Google Ads | Pay per click, with a budget you set | The enquiry comes to you alone |

## Checkatrade

Checkatrade is a vetted directory. You pay a monthly fee, and higher plans give more visibility and leads. Checkatrade itself notes that with its basic package, customers can only find you by searching for your business name, so most trades need a higher plan to get new enquiries. Check the contract length before you commit.

## MyBuilder

On MyBuilder, you express interest in jobs for free and pay a shortlist fee only when the customer shortlists you. The fee is payable even if you do not win the job. It suits trades who want to pay only when a customer shows interest.

## Rated People

Rated People says its leads go to three tradespeople at most. You pay a membership, which includes some credit, and buy leads on top. Fewer competitors per lead is an advantage, as long as the membership cost fits your volume.

## Bark

Bark sells leads for credits, with the price shown before you respond. Credits bought now are valid for three months, so avoid large packs you cannot use in time.

## Your own ads

Google Search Ads and Facebook ads send enquiries only to you, and every customer lands on your website and reviews rather than a list of competitors. They take more work to set up, and you need tracking to see which jobs they bring. See [Google Ads for UK tradespeople](https://leadwisemarketing.com/blog/google-ads-for-tradesmen-uk/).

## Do the maths per won job

**Illustrative example:**

These numbers are invented to show the method.

A roofer pays £200 a month on a directory and wins 3 jobs, so each job costs about £67. They spend £450 on their own Google Ads and win 5 jobs, about £90 each. The directory is cheaper per job this month. But the Google Ads customers found the roofer's own website and reviews, and the account gets better as it collects data.



Track every source for at least three months, with the jobs won and their value. See [cost per lead vs cost per customer](https://leadwisemarketing.com/blog/cost-per-lead-vs-cost-per-customer/).

## A sensible mix

Many trades keep one directory for steady volume while they build their own Google Ads and Business Profile, then cut back the directory when owned sources are strong. See [exclusive vs shared leads](https://leadwisemarketing.com/blog/exclusive-vs-shared-leads/).

## Where to start

List every platform you pay for, what it costs and the jobs it brought in last quarter. Cancel or downgrade the weakest, and use the savings to test your own ads.

Read [lead generation for UK tradespeople](https://leadwisemarketing.com/blog/lead-generation-for-tradesmen-uk/), or [request a free audit](https://leadwisemarketing.com/contact/).

## Questions owners ask

### Is Checkatrade better than MyBuilder?

They work differently. Checkatrade charges a monthly membership. MyBuilder charges when a customer shortlists you. The better choice depends on your trade, area and how many jobs each brings you.

### Which platform gives the fewest competitors per lead?

Rated People says each lead goes to three tradespeople at most. Leads from your own ads go only to you.

### Are directories worth it for new tradespeople?

They can be, because they bring work quickly while you build reviews. Track the cost per won job and start building your own sources early.

## Sources

- [Checkatrade: Is Checkatrade worth it?](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/grow-business/checkatrade-membership-roi/)
- [Checkatrade: Does Checkatrade cost money?](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/start-business/does-checkatrade-cost-money/)
- [Checkatrade: Make your membership work](https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/trade/make-checkatrade-membership-work/)
- [MyBuilder: Tradesperson terms and conditions](https://www.mybuilder.com/terms-conditions)
- [Rated People: Why Rated People is worth it for tradespeople](https://www.ratedpeople.com/blog/why-rated-people-is-worth-it-for-tradespeople)
- [Bark: Seller pricing](https://www.bark.com/en/us/sellers/pricing/)