We check each tradesperson is who they say they are, carrying out a check of their ID.

We check where the trade and the business is located to make sure they are where they claim to be. We also use this address to help carry out the rest of our checks.

We check if the tradesperson needs an accreditation, like Gas Safe or NICEIC (Electrical Certification), and then we check they’ve got them. And that they’re up to date.

We scan public records and news stories for red flags. Think of it as a reputational radar — always on, always watching.

We check for unpaid debts. Because if someone hasn’t sorted things properly in the past, we want to know.

We do the same for the business itself — looking for unresolved financial issues that could affect how they work today.

We check the business is active, with no current threats to strike it off the register. We also look for signs of ‘phoenixing’ – when someone repeatedly shuts down and reopens companies. It’s all about making sure the business history backs up the name on the door.

We check for things like bankruptcy and insolvency. It helps protect you from trades that might not be able to finish the job.

We check if someone’s been suspended, declined or removed from Checkatrade before. If they have, we won’t let them back in.

For some trades, we ask for proof they’ve been up and running for at least six months. It’s an extra step to make sure they’ve got solid, real-world experience under their belt before they join.

We check for any banned or disqualified directors behind the business. We expect every member of the business to uphold our high standards. 

We look beyond our own site, reviewing ratings on other platforms to get a full picture of their reputation.

Yes. Checkatrade has vetted tradespeople since 1998, and every member must pass up to 12 checks — including ID verification, company history, CCJ checks and adverse media screening — before joining. Checks continue throughout membership, not just at sign-up, and members who fail to maintain standards are removed. Checkatrade also holds a Primary Authority partnership with Trading Standards to strengthen its vetting processes further.

Yes. Checkatrade publishes genuine reviews, including negative ones, so homeowners get an honest picture of a tradesperson's work. To protect this, Checkatrade runs a fake review detection system that screens around 45,000 reviews a month using data science models, a rules engine, AI verification and human review — filtering out fake reviews rather than negative ones.

Search for the tradesperson or company by name or trade on Checkatrade to view their profile, which shows verified reviews, vetting status, certifications and years of trading. Every listed member has passed identity and background checks, so a Checkatrade profile is a reliable way to confirm a company's credentials before hiring.

Work carried out by a Checkatrade member is backed by the Checkatrade Guarantee, which covers up to £1,000 towards putting right substandard work. This gives homeowners a practical safety net if a job doesn't go as planned.

Every tradesperson must pass up to 12 checks to join Checkatrade, covering identity, address, company history, CCJ records and adverse media screening, with higher-risk trades needing at least six months' trading history. Around 1,400 tradespeople are blocked from joining each year. Vetting doesn't stop at sign-up — Checkatrade runs ongoing checks throughout membership and removes members who no longer meet its standards.

Reviews help other homeowners choose a trustworthy tradesperson and give good tradespeople the recognition they've earned. They also feed Checkatrade's ongoing vetting process, since consistently strong review scores are required to remain a member — meaning honest reviews directly help keep bad operators off the platform.