How to find a trade without Checkatrade
Search Tradehand by trade and area, pick a claimed bookable listing, and book on the page. Searching and contacting a trade is free for homeowners.
Tradehand is the UK marketplace for finding and booking local tradespeople, with a built-in office team for trade businesses.
- No Checkatrade membership needed to find someone
- Homeowners do not pay Tradehand to search or contact
- Trades pay £0/month and no lead fee; Tradehand earns 5% only when it collects an invoice payment
Tradehand Marketplace vs Checkatrade
Checkatrade is a membership directory. Trades often pay a monthly membership, and leads can cost extra under Checkatrade's own terms. Tradehand is a marketplace: you search, contact and book for free. Trades pay no monthly fee and no lead fee. Side-by-side: Tradehand vs Checkatrade.
Steps to find a trade on Tradehand
Search by trade and area
Pick a claimed, bookable listing
Book on the profile
Confirm scheme registration yourself
Checking qualifications
Tradehand does not vet every credential on a listing. Always confirm current registration with the scheme before booking regulated work. A verified badge means the business is on Tradehand, not that Tradehand checked their qualifications. For electricians, the fuller scheme checklist is in how to find a reliable electrician in the UK.
Reviews you can read
Claimed profiles may show imported reviews (Google, MyBuilder and similar) with the source named, plus reviews from jobs completed on Tradehand. Those two stay separate. How that works: /about. Ratings sit on each trader's profile.
Find a local trade on Tradehand
Search by trade and area, open a claimed listing, and book on the page. Searching and contacting is free for homeowners.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find an electrician without Checkatrade?
Yes. Search Tradehand by trade and area, pick a claimed bookable listing, and book on the page. Searching and contacting a trade is free for homeowners.
Does Tradehand charge the homeowner?
No. Homeowners do not pay Tradehand to search or contact a trade.
Does Tradehand charge the trade for leads?
No. Tradehand is £0/month for the trade, with no lead fee. Tradehand earns 5% only when it collects an invoice payment for the trade.
How do I check they are registered?
Confirm current registration on the scheme site yourself (for electricians, NICEIC or NAPIT). A verified badge on Tradehand only means the business is on Tradehand. More detail on scheme checks: /blog/how-to-find-a-reliable-electrician-uk.
