When you need a plumber, electrician, or builder in the UK, you've probably heard of Checkatrade. But there's another option: NearbyTraders, focused on local tradespeople in Kent and London. Which one should you use?
| Aspect | Checkatrade | NearbyTraders |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 | 2023 |
| Tradespeople | 35,000+ | Growing network |
| Geographic reach | All of UK | Kent & London |
| Business model | Pay-to-play (tradespeople pay fees) | Free directory |
| Reviews source | Hosted on Checkatrade | Google Reviews (authentic third-party) |
| Consumer guarantee | Yes (scheme available) | No (legal protections apply) |
Strengths: Large pool (35,000+), detailed filtering, consistent availability
Weaknesses: Overwhelming number of choices; larger companies with bigger budgets rank higher; some high-charging plumbers do well because they can afford advertising costs
Results are ranked by Checkatrade's algorithm, and many tradespeople at the top pay extra for visibility.
Strengths: Curated network (fewer low-quality options), fair listing (no pay-to-play bias), geographically focused
Weaknesses: Smaller network (fewer options in some specialties), still growing, availability varies by location
Everyone's listed equally, so you're not seeing ads masked as recommendations.
Strengths: Checks basic accreditations (Gas Safe), holds consumer guarantee scheme, disputes handled by Checkatrade
Weaknesses: Accreditation checks happen once at registration, not continuously; guarantee scheme requires additional fees (not everyone uses it); reviews can feel cherry-picked
Checkatrade is better than nothing, but you still need to do your own vetting.
Strengths: Requires Gas Safe registration for any gas work, all reviews are Google Reviews (unmoderated, genuinely independent), no financial incentive to hide bad reviews, transparency
Weaknesses: No built-in guarantee scheme, no dispute resolution service, newer platform means less historical data
What you see is authentic. You have to trust your own judgment more.
How pricing works: Tradespeople pay Checkatrade per lead you send (£2–£5 typically). This cost can be passed to you in higher quotes. You don't pay Checkatrade directly, but you may pay more to the tradesperson.
Impact: Studies suggest Checkatrade customers pay 10–15% more than calling independently.
How pricing works: Tradespeople don't pay to be listed, no lead fees, no incentive to inflate quotes. You contact tradespeople directly.
Impact: No middleman cost. Quotes should be more competitive.
Strengths: Detailed reviews, tradespeople incentivised to perform well (affects ranking)
Weaknesses: Reviews hosted on Checkatrade's site (not independently verified), has faced criticism for review manipulation (unproven, but conflict of interest exists), only Checkatrade customers can review
Be aware that reviews are filtered through Checkatrade's moderation. Some traders claim negative reviews were removed.
Strengths: All reviews are Google Reviews (hosted on Google, can't be manipulated by NearbyTraders or the tradesperson), covers all their work (not just NearbyTraders clients)
Weaknesses: Fewer reviews per tradesperson (newer platform), you have to visit Google Maps to see them
What you see is authentic. No filtering, no bias.
Checkatrade: All of UK with high density in cities, lower in rural areas. Best for finding multiple options anywhere.
NearbyTraders: Kent and London (expanding) with very high density in towns. Best if you're in Kent or London wanting truly local tradespeople.
If you're in Kent or London, NearbyTraders will feel more tailored. If you're elsewhere in the UK, Checkatrade is currently your only platform option.
Some tradespeople offer emergency/out-of-hours services, clearly marked on profiles. You can filter for emergency availability.
Tradespeople list their availability on profiles. Some offer emergency call-outs, but check each profile individually. No built-in emergency support system.
For urgent plumbing in Kent, check pages like emergency plumber Canterbury and emergency plumber Maidstone.
Tradesperson costs:
Result: Plumbers pay £200–£500+ per month. This cost gets passed to you.
Tradesperson costs:
Result: Plumbers have lower overhead. More opportunity for competitive quotes.
Trade-off: Checkatrade's costs fund their vetting system and guarantee. NearbyTraders relies on Google reviews and doesn't offer the same protection.
Accept the trade-offs: You'll likely pay more, reviews may not be entirely independent, you're supporting a business that charges tradespeople to exist.
Accept the trade-offs: No formal guarantee or dispute resolution, smaller network, no consumer protection scheme, you take more responsibility for vetting.
There's no simple answer. It depends on what you value:
Best approach: Use both (or multiple sources).
You're not locked into one platform. The best tradesperson might be on NearbyTraders, Checkatrade, a Google search result, or a friend's recommendation.
NearbyTraders is transparent and local; Checkatrade is established and protective.
Neither is perfect. Checkatrade takes a fee from tradespeople (inflates your costs). NearbyTraders offers no built-in protection. But both solve the same problem: helping homeowners find reliable tradespeople.
The "best" platform is the one that helps you find the tradesperson who:
If you're doing high-value work (new boiler, full bathroom) and want peace of mind, yes. For a £100 tap repair, probably not. Check if the tradesperson offers it—not all Checkatrade members do.
Yes. Because they're Google Reviews, they're independent and can't be manipulated by NearbyTraders. You're seeing genuine customer experiences.
Possibly. With no lead fees, there's less cost pressure. But ultimately, it depends on the individual tradesperson's pricing. Always compare quotes.
You have the same legal protections as any customer (consumer rights, small claims court). You don't have Checkatrade's guarantee scheme. This is why checking reviews and asking about warranties is crucial.
Yes, but availability depends on individual tradespeople. Search or filter for "emergency" services. Some charge premium rates for out-of-hours work.
Checkatrade is bigger because it's been around since 1997 and covers all the UK. Bigger isn't always better—it means more bureaucracy and higher costs. NearbyTraders is newer and specifically designed for local, transparent trading.