What do you need to become Checkatrade approved?

The easier way to book quality trades

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Whether you run a small local business or manage a growing team, most tradespeople want the same thing — steady work, satisfied customers, and a reputation they can be proud of.

That’s exactly what the Checkatrade tick is designed to support. It helps homeowners feel confident when choosing a tradesperson, and it helps you show that your business meets clear, consistent standards.

Joining Checkatrade isn’t about proving yourself. It’s about showing the quality of work you already deliver and being part of a network that values doing the job properly.

This guide explains what checks we carry out, what standards you’ll be asked to meet, what happens once you’re approved, and how membership can support your business.

Quick overview: what it takes to join Checkatrade

To become Checkatrade approved, you’ll need to:

• Provide proof of identity and trading address

• Demonstrate relevant qualifications or experience (where required)

• Pass financial and background checks

• Show a good track record of customer service

• Commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

Most established tradespeople already have these things in place. Our checks simply help confirm it.

Approval requirements and standards

Before your profile goes live, we carry out a series of checks so homeowners can feel confident in the trades they find on Checkatrade. These checks also make sure good tradespeople are recognised for the standards they work to.

Here’s what those requirements mean in practice.

Background and identity checks

We verify who you are and how your business operates. This helps ensure transparency and prevents duplicate or fraudulent listings.

This typically includes:

• Photo ID verification

• Proof of your trading address

• Company history and directorship checks

• Open-source checks for adverse media

• Duplicate and disciplinary history checks

These checks help confirm that the businesses on Checkatrade are legitimate and operating responsibly.

Financial and legal checks

We carry out basic financial checks to make sure your business is stable and trading appropriately.

These may include:

• Bankruptcy and insolvency checks

• Personal and business County Court Judgment (CCJ) checks

• Credit and financial status checks

These checks help protect customers and support fair competition across the platform.

Qualifications and experience verification

Where qualifications or certifications are required for your trade, we’ll ask to see proof that they’re valid and up to date.

For example:

• Gas Safe registration for gas work

• NICEIC or equivalent for electrical work

• Relevant trade certifications or licences

If your trade doesn’t require formal qualifications, we may assess experience, training, or previous work history instead.

Public liability insurance

We’ll ask whether you have public liability insurance and request proof of cover during the onboarding process.

While it isn’t always a requirement to join, having insurance provides reassurance for both you and your customers.

If you don’t currently hold public liability insurance, this will be clearly noted on your profile so homeowners can make informed decisions.

Customer experience and reputation checks

We’ll take a look at how your business is coming across to customers and how your work has been received so far. That might include checking reviews on other platforms or asking about recent jobs you’ve completed.

Once you're a member, reviews continue to play an important role. We check them to make sure they’re genuine, so customers can trust what they’re reading — and so your good work speaks for itself.

The checks we carry out before your profile goes live

Before your profile goes live on the Checkatrade site, we complete up to 12 checks, which may include:

• Identification verification – have a photo ID handy so we can verify who you are

• Proof of trading address – we’ll need to see evidence of your trading address

• Qualifications and certifications – you’ll be asked to show us proof of any regulated accreditations

• Company history checks – we’ll want to see proof of good trading history

• Financial and credit checks – we’ll carry out a bankruptcy and insolvency check

• Personal County Court Judgment (CCJ) checks – we’ll check whether you have any outstanding personal county court judgments

• Business County Court Judgment (CCJ) checks – we’ll also check whether you have any outstanding business county court judgments

• Director and business checks – we’ll check your company for previous directorships or disqualifications

• Enhanced Business Check – proof of six months' trading history (applies to certain categories only)

• Customer experience checks – we check your reviews on third-party websites

• Duplicate record checks – we’ll make sure you don’t match any previously declined, suspended or expelled tradespeople

• Open-source and background checks – we’ll search for any adverse media on you or your business

These checks are simply about making sure everyone on Checkatrade is working to the same standards, so customers can choose with confidence, and good tradespeople stand out for the right reasons.

If you pass the checks: what happens next

Once your checks are complete and approved by our vetting team, the onboarding process moves quickly.

Here’s what typically happens next:

• Your membership is confirmed

• Your business profile goes live on Checkatrade

• Homeowners can start finding and contacting you

• You begin collecting verified customer reviews

• Your work becomes eligible for the Checkatrade Guarantee (up to £1,000, T&Cs apply)

From that point on, your profile starts doing a lot of the hard work for you, helping homeowners see your reviews, your work, and the standards you follow.

How long does approval take?

The approval process usually takes a few days, depending on how quickly your documents can be reviewed and checks completed. If anything additional is needed, our team will let you know and guide you through the next steps.

What our members say:

"Since joining Checkatrade our customer base and enquiries have accelerated to a new level. Checkatrade’s customer service is second to none, and always keeps in contact with their members." Treelands Fencing, Checkatrade member since March 2015

Ongoing expectations once you're a member

Membership isn’t a one-off check. We’ll keep supporting you to maintain the standards customers expect when they book through Checkatrade.

That means:

• Keeping your insurance and qualifications up to date

• Updating your business details if they change

• Responding to customer feedback

• Maintaining good service standards

We also monitor reviews to make sure they’re genuine, using verification checks such as SMS or phone confirmation.

It’s really about protecting your reputation and making sure customers continue to feel confident choosing you.

The Checkatrade Standard

As well as passing our checks, every member agrees to uphold the Checkatrade Standard. This is a set of six practical commitments that guide how work is carried out and how customers are treated.

In reality, these are the things most good tradespeople are already doing every day — we’re just putting them into writing so homeowners know what our tick stands for.

1. Deliver high-quality workmanship

Complete every job to the agreed specification and use materials that meet customers’ expectations for durability and performance.

2. Treat customers and their homes with respect

Be polite, considerate, and mindful of the customer’s property, privacy, and time.

3. Work safely, ethically, and within your skill set

Follow current health and safety guidance, work in a way that doesn’t damage the environment, keep customers’ homes safe while each job is being carried out, and only take on jobs you’re properly qualified to complete.

4. Communicate clearly and honestly

Communicate with customers in a timely and professional manner and provide honest guidance when it comes to details such as timelines, job duration, and accurate costs.

5. Agree costs and terms upfront

Confirm pricing and contract details in writing before work begins. Make sure customers understand what’s included and don't take final payment until the job is complete.

6. Encourage honest customer reviews

Ask customers for feedback once the job is complete, and make sure reviews reflect genuine experiences. Never falsify reviews or pressure customers into leaving them.

Why join Checkatrade?

For many tradespeople, the biggest benefit of membership is simple: it helps you get seen by more customers who are already looking for the work you offer.

It also helps you build trust faster, strengthen your reputation, and keep your business moving in the right direction.

Being Checkatrade approved can help you:

• Build a stronger online reputation

• Gain trust with new customers faster

• Win more regular work

• Show homeowners the standards you work to

• Access exclusive trade deals and support

• Give customers extra reassurance through the Checkatrade Guarantee

"Checkatrade gives our customers confidence and trust to book our services. We don’t have to say how great we are; our reviews speak for us. A great marketing tool to reach new customers."

ServiceMaster Clean Branches, Checkatrade member since January 2015

Start your Checkatrade application

Proud of the work you deliver and committed to maintaining high standards? Joining Checkatrade can be a natural next step for your business.

If you’d like to get started, the first step is to register your details and begin the checks.

From there, our team will guide you through the process, answer any questions, and keep you updated so you know exactly where you stand.