TrustATrader

TrustATrader, a UK directory of vetted tradespeople

TrustATrader is an online directory based in the United Kingdom that connects homeowners with professionals in the construction and home services sector. The platform presents itself as an intermediary that verifies the qualifications of tradespeople and makes their continued listing in the directory conditional on the quality of the service provided.

The site states that it has been operating since 2005 and that its aim is to offer an alternative to hiring tradespeople directly without prior references, both for out-of-hours emergencies and for scheduled work.

How the selection of tradespeople works

According to the platform's information, all registered tradespeople must provide proof of a minimum of two years' experience in their specialty and be members of the professional association corresponding to their trade. They must also have public liability insurance.

Continued listing in the directory is conditional on maintaining quality standards: a tradesperson who fails to meet them loses their place on the website. Users can view the full reviews of other customers before hiring and leave their own rating through the feature provided for that purpose.

Services and trades covered

The directory brings together tradespeople from various trades, including plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, locksmiths, gardeners and renovation specialists. The platform details some specific services that can be found through its search engine:

• Emergency plumbing and 24-hour service, boiler repair and drain unblocking.
• Emergency electrician, fault finding, fusebox replacement, wiring, socket installation and lighting.
• Emergency roofing, roof leak repair, flat roofs, guttering and insulation.
• Emergency locksmith.
• Driveway installation, patios and fencing.
• Heat pump installation, solar battery storage, smart home installation and underfloor heating.
• Mould removal and gardening and landscaping work.

Membership for tradespeople

The platform offers tradespeople the option to register through a paid membership. According to its presentation, places are limited by geographic area to ensure a fair distribution of customer enquiries, and no commission is charged on leads generated through the directory.

Members have a company profile, a photo gallery to showcase previous work and access to the platform's branding materials, such as stickers, leaflets and web logos. The company states that it advertises on national television and on more than sixty radio stations across the UK to attract customers.

Guarantee and editorial activity

TrustATrader offers a guarantee that the customer can register free of charge on the next job agreed with a tradesperson from the directory. The website also publishes informative and current affairs content for users, such as guides on house surveys in the UK and news related to regulation in the construction sector.

The platform has a mobile app available for Android and iOS, and offers complementary services under other brands, including a garage directory and an insurance service.