EXPERT ADVICE
How Checkatrade checks its tradespeople
Updated 02/26
By: Alex Peters
Got questions about Checkatrade? Here, we’ll cover all you need to know – from what we do, to how we check the tradespeople on our platform.
Can you trust the tradespeople on Checkatrade? Here’s everything you need to know
Put simply, Checkatrade is an established platform designed to help people across the UK find tradespeople when they need a job done.
Here’s what sets us apart:
48,000+ checked tradespeople listed across the UK
Up to 12 checks including ID, qualifications, and financial history
Ongoing monitoring and re-verification to maintain commitment to high standards
Verified reviews — Over 90% confirmed by SMS or phone
Guarantee for work carried out with up to £1,000 cover for peace of mind (T&Cs apply)
Rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot by over 75,000 reviewers
Helping UK homeowners since 1998 meaning over 25 years of experience
How we check our trades
Before a tradesperson can earn the Checkatrade tick of approval, they have to pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard.
You want someone that is reliable and can be trusted to do the best job. We're here to look at them for you to help you make an informed decision.
Our checks behind every checked tradesperson
The Checkatrade vetting process is designed to make sure all our members uphold our high standards.
We check…
ID - Such as a photo, to verify identity
Proof of address - For example, evidence of a place of business
Qualifications - Proof of any regulated accreditations (such as Gas Safe)
Open-source check - Making sure there is no negative news coverage
Personal CCJ check - Looking for any personal county court judgments owed
Business CCJ check - Same as personal CCJ check, but for the business
Company history - Proof of good trading
Financial checks - Such as bankruptcy and insolvency checks
Duplicate check - Making sure your details don't match anyone we've previously declined, suspended or expelled
Director search - Looking at the director history for your business
Reviews on third-party websites - We'll look at what your previous customers have said
Enhanced business check - This only applies to certain categories
But that’s not the end of it. Once a tradesperson passes our checks, we continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis, asking for ongoing proof of qualifications.
We want you to be able to find a tradesperson that is best for the job, you can trust to do the work and is likely to be reliable when it comes to quote and timescales.
Our checks are there to help you make those important decisions before selecting a business or tradesperson for the work.
What Checkatrade does
At Checkatrade, we know that safe and happy homes improve lives, support livelihoods, and build communities.
But we also understand that finding the right tradesperson to carry out work on your home can be overwhelming. Getting hold of reliable tradespeople that you can trust isn't easy.
Our online platform connects homeowners with checked tradespeople to make home improvements easier.
Over 48,000 tradespeople on our platform
With over 48,000 tradespeople on our platform – spanning trades from fencing contractors to cleaners; bathroom fitters to mechanics and builders.
It’s the place to be for finding a tradesperson covering your local area who you should be able to trust to get the job done.
We get it. Reliability and trust are things that need to be earned. You want someone who is best for the job that also works in your local area.
All our members have to pass up to 12 checks to get listed in our directory, and we check all the reviews they receive to make sure they were written by real people.
That’s why thousands of people across the UK already choose us every month to help them find the best tradesperson for the job that needs doing.
The Checkatrade Standard: six commitments to quality and conduct
When tradespeople join the Checkatrade platform, they commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard.
Members agree to six quality commitments…
Deliver a high quality of workmanship
Maintain high standards of personal conduct
Work safely, ethically, and within their skill set
Communicate clearly and honestly
Agree costs and contract terms upfront
Encourage and welcome customer reviews
Everyone within the business must play a role in upholding these high standards. Failure to do so could lead to suspension or termination of membership.
Genuine reviews from real homeowners
At Checkatrade, we check all the reviews our members receive to make sure they’re genuine.
We do this by asking customers to verify their reviews by SMS or phone call (90% of the reviews on our site are verified). Then, we monitor all reviews with analytics technology.
If we suspect a review is fake, we speak to the tradesperson directly and remove the review immediately.
Meanwhile, if there are multiple occurrences, the trade member is removed from Checkatrade.
Being the best tradesperson for the job doesn't mean bigging yourself up with fake reviews. It's why we check.
Reviews you can trust, written by homeowners like you
We take the job of maintaining a trustworthy community very seriously. We utilise a variety of methods to ensure the reviews on our platform reflect genuine experiences, and to detect and remove fake reviews. We’re open and transparent Anyone can write a review about their experiences with a trade
The Checkatrade guarantee: what it covers and how it works
To give people peace of mind when it comes to their work, we offer a guarantee.
Find and book a trade through us and we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000*. *(Eligibility and T&Cs apply).
Claims can be made when…
Sub-standard work is carried out by a tradesperson
Required evidence is provided
Eligibility criteria are met
No exclusions apply
With our in-depth vetting process for tradespeople, we hope you’ll never have cause to use the guarantee.
But it’s reassuring to know that, if your job is unfortunately not carried out to the required standard, we can step in to make things right in the best way possible.
Reviews about Checkatrade from real users
At Checkatrade, we meticulously vet the tradespeople on our platform. But who vets us?
Currently, we have 4.6/5 stars on Trustpilot.
You can also check several other third-party review sites and forums to see what homeowners and reviewers have to say about our online platform.
“Very convenient way to find a tradesman. Got three quotes very quickly and took one of them. Work completed on time.” – Trustpilot user
“I've used several people I've found on Checkatrade and never had any problems.
“I tend to use local companies, and read their reviews carefully - you can often spot themes and see how long they've been in business etc.” – Mumsnet user
“Used it to find someone to do my chimney. Very happy with his work, his reviews were spot on.” – MSE forum user
Checkatrade myths, busted
We get it. You have questions. So do we. Ours are more along the lines of, what can we do for our customers and tradespeople? Are the colours 'cerulean' and 'sky-blue' one and the same? Does anyone really know how to screed a floor? You're not reading this article for answers to life's big
Check any tradesperson now
Check any tradesperson on Checkatrade to gain peace of mind ahead of hiring for your next home improvement project.
View profiles, read reviews and contact tradespeople directly to make an informed decision and hire right first time around.
You want someone reliable, considered best for the job in your local area? Read what other people have said about the quality of work and look at photos to verify the claims.
Want to get going and book a job? Start searching today. Alternatively, we're here to help you request a quote, hire with confidence, or check out what you could expect to pay with our cost guides.
Trust and reliability summary
Since it began, Checkatrade has been used by millions of UK homeowners thanks to its vetting process, verifying reviews, and offering a £1,000 guarantee (T&Cs apply).
With thousands of monthly users, over 48,000 checked tradespeople and a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot, Checkatrade is committed to making home improvements easier for homeowners across the UK.
FAQs
Should I trust Checkatrade?
Yes. Checkatrade has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating from over 75,000 verified reviews, and offers a £1,000 homeowner guarantee to give homeowners added peace of mind when booking a trade through the platform (T&Cs apply).
Can I trust Checkatrade reviews?
Yes. At Checkatrade, we check all the reviews our members receive to make sure they’re written by real people. If we suspect a review is fake, we remove it immediately.
Are Checkatrade members checked?
Yes. Checkatrade members have to pass up to 12 checks to get listed on the online platform, and are asked to provide proof of qualifications on an ongoing basis
How does vetting work?
The Checkatrade vetting process involves carrying out up to 12 checks on each tradesperson, and monitoring them on an ongoing basis by asking for updated proof of qualifications.
We also ask members to commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard, and we check all the reviews they receive to make sure they’re genuine.
What happens if work goes wrong?
If your experience doesn’t go to plan, we’re here to help. First, we recommend speaking directly with the tradesperson to resolve the issue.
If that doesn’t work, you can leave a review and raise a complaint - we’ll investigate, and if needed, the tradesperson may face action under our Deactivation and Sanctions Policy.
Plus, if you booked through us and the issue meets our eligibility criteria, our guarantee may cover the work for up to £1,000* (T&Cs apply). We’re committed to maintaining high standards and helping protect your home.
Is Checkatrade reliable?
Yes, Checkatrade is a reliable company that was founded back in 1998 and is now used by thousands of people every month to assist them in their search for a tradesperson.
The company’s reliability is reflected in its Trustpilot score, which currently stands at 4.6/5.
What checks must our tradespeople pass?
To get listed in the Checkatrade directory, tradespeople must pass up to 12 checks. These include:
ID
Proof of address
Qualifications
Open-source check
Personal CCJ check
Business CCJ check
Company history
Financial checks
Duplicate check
Director search
Reviews on third-party websites
How does Checkatrade take care of disputes?
Checkatrade doesn’t get directly involved in resolving disputes between homeowners and tradespeople. However, if you’re unable to resolve an issue directly with a tradesperson, you can make a complaint.
We can’t force a trade to act, but we can:
Provide guidance to trades
Restrict or, in serious cases, remove them from Checkatrade according to our Deactivation and Sanctions Policy
Limit the trade’s activity on our platform during the investigation
We also offer a Homeowner Guarantee to cover homeowners if any sub-standard work is carried out.
Find and book a trade through us and we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000*. *(Eligibility and T&Cs apply).
How does Checkatrade deal with rogue tradespeople?
Checkatrade combats rogue tradespeople and cowboy builders by:
Thoroughly vetting tradespeople on the platform
Asking them to commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard
Checking reviews to make sure they are genuine
If any sub-standard work is carried out by a tradesperson that has been found and hired through the platform, homeowners are also covered by a £1,000 guarantee (Eligibility and T&Cs apply).
We also have a Deactivation and Sanctions Policy for tradespeople who fall short of our standards.
Will Checkatrade keep my data safe?
At Checkatrade, we take data protection very seriously.
We collect, store and process your information in compliance with our Privacy Policy and all relevant data protection legislation.
Where can I find trusted professionals for home improvement projects?
We get it. Trust is something that has to be earned. However, with reviews of real projects coming from real people like you, we believe in the tradespeople that appear on Checkatrade.
With every member, they have to pass up to 12 checks before they show on our website or app, and they commit to meeting the Checkatrade Standard.
We're not here to help form trust, but to facilitate an informed decision when it comes to getting a job done right.
What are the best ways to pay a tradesperson?
There are always different options when it comes to payment for work. Remember to confirm what payment schedule is expected before the job starts, whether that be by cheque, cash or bank transfer.
When it comes to paying a tradesperson via Checkatrade, we also give the option of using Checkatrade Pay, which can be accessed via our app or online when logged into an account.
How do I check a tradesperson's credentials?
On Checkatrade, you can always check a tradesperson's accreditations and awards by visiting their profile. We'll list anything relevant to their work.
As an example:
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job