0845 408 4866

For the latest updates, subscribe to the
Checkatrade RSS Feed

Checkatrade.com (www.checkatrade.com) , announces today that consumers demanding that traders they let into their homes are vetted and monitored have helped fuel a recent surge in membership of the West Sussex-based firm.
The company has seen an increase in membership of over 100% this year from 1000 members in February 2007 to over 2000 members at the end of March 2008, making it the best year for growth in the company’s ten year history.
Checkatrade founder and CEO Kevin Byrne commented “It took nine years for us to achieve a membership of 1000 traders willing to be vetted and continuously monitored. The next 1000 members only took one year. This proves to me that there is a demand from consumers for traders who are reliable, honest and trustworthy and who can prove their credentials.”
Kevin also pointed out that all members of Checkatrade go through a stringent vetting process, which includes identity checks and the taking of references. All members must have current Public Liability Insurance and must also be able to produce proof of any relevant qualifications.  “We believe that it is this process and the publishing of customer feedback, both positive and negative, on our website that gives greater credibility to our members in the eyes of the public.”
As if to underscore this, Kevin also announced that over 100,000 customer feedback forms have been received and processed by Checkatrade. “We are processing an average of 3,500 cards a month at present, and this figure is increasing as consumers become more aware and careful of whom they choose to do work in their homes.” The company estimates that their members are gaining over 300,000 jobs a year from the Checkatrade system, generating around £150 million worth of work in local communities. “Our aim” Kevin said “is to keep work in the hands of the honest and reliable and to close the door on rogue traders”.
With over 6000 unique visitors a day to its website, Checkatrade remains on the cutting edge of consumer protection with innovative software, processes and benefits for their members.

Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.

Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include nearly 2,000 genuine trade members and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 4 million directories into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK. In 2007, the company saw a turnover of £1.2 million - an increase of 50% on 2006. After its humble beginnings in a shed, Checkatrade – still based in Selsey - now employs around 40 staff.

In 2007, Checkatrade was nominated for a ‘Sussex Enterprise Business of the Year Award’ and currently sponsors ‘The Rip Off Files’ on Wave 105 FM. They also sponsored the 2007 SpiritFM ‘Local Hero Awards’ and Bright FM's ‘Community Christmas Awards’.