Guides
Straight answers about websites for tradespeople.
No jargon and no hard sell. Just what things cost and what's actually worth doing, for your trade.
Getting started
How much does a website cost for a tradesperson?
Real 2026 UK prices for DIY website builders, freelancers, agencies and pay-monthly schemes, plus domain and hosting costs, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Read the guideDo I need a website if I'm on Checkatrade?
What Checkatrade, Rated People and MyBuilder cost in 2026, how customers see you on them, and where your own website fits alongside a directory listing.
Read the guideIs a Facebook page enough for my business?
What a Facebook page does well for tradespeople, where it falls short (reach, search, ownership), and how to use it alongside a simple website.
Read the guideWix, Squarespace, GoDaddy or Hostinger: which is cheapest for a trade website?
The cheapest plan on each big website builder that lets you use your own domain, what it costs over three years, the renewal catches, and how much of the work you'll be doing yourself.
Read the guideHow to get more Google reviews as a tradesperson
How to get your Google review link, when and how to ask customers, and the Google rules and UK law on incentives and fake reviews that every trade should know.
Read the guideWhat should a tradesperson's website include?
A plain checklist of what a plumber's, electrician's or builder's website needs: the pages, the contact options, the trust signals and the behind-the-scenes details that help Google.
Read the guideHow to get your business on Google and Google Maps (at no cost)
Step by step: how a trade business gets on Google and Google Maps with a free Business Profile, how to hide your home address, verification, and the rules to follow.
Read the guideDo I need a website for my small business?
An honest answer for UK tradespeople: what a website does that Facebook, directories and word of mouth can't, what the data says, and when you might not need one.
Read the guideHow to write a quote for a job: what to include (UK)
How tradespeople should write a quote: quote vs estimate, what to include, VAT, and the 14-day cancellation rules for jobs agreed in the customer's home.
Read the guideHow to price a job as a tradesperson (UK)
How UK tradespeople should price a job: work out your real hourly rate from costs and billable hours, price materials properly, and add VAT if registered.
Read the guideGoing self-employed
Setting up on your own: registering, tax, insurance, CIS, VAT and the first customers.
Going self-employed as a tradesperson: the UK checklist
How a UK tradesperson goes self-employed: HMRC, Self Assessment, sole trader or limited company, insurance, CIS, VAT, Making Tax Digital and first customers.
Read the guideCIS for tradespeople: the Construction Industry Scheme explained
The Construction Industry Scheme in plain English: who it covers, registering as a subcontractor, 20% and 30% rates, gross payment status and 2026 changes.
Read the guideShould I register for VAT as a tradesperson?
When a UK tradesperson must register for VAT (£90,000), voluntary registration, Flat Rate Scheme percentages for construction and the domestic reverse charge.
Read the guideHow to name your trade business (and check it's free)
Choosing a trade business name: the legal rules for sole traders, checks to make, what must go on your paperwork and getting a matching web address.
Read the guideHow to invoice as a sole trader: what an invoice must include
What a UK sole trader's invoice must include, the extra details on a VAT invoice, and practical tips for tradespeople to get paid on time.
Read the guideHow to start a plumbing business in the UK
Going self-employed as a plumber: licence rules, WaterSafe and approved contractor schemes, Gas Safe for gas work, unvented hot water and insurance.
Read the guideHow to start an electrical business in the UK
Going self-employed as an electrician: Part P and competent person schemes, NICEIC fees, current BS 7671 amendment, ECS cards, insurance and first customers.
Read the guideHow to start a building business in the UK
Going self-employed as a builder: no licence needed, but CIS, CDM duties, upper-tier waste carrier registration, party wall notices, insurance and first jobs.
Read the guideHow to start a landscaping business in the UK
Going self-employed as a landscaper or gardener: the pesticide certificate you legally need, chainsaw training, waste carrier tiers, APL, BALI and insurance.
Read the guideCheckatrade, MyBuilder and Bark
What the big lead sites cost, how they charge, and how to leave.
How much does Checkatrade cost for tradespeople in 2026?
Checkatrade's 2026 plans for trades (Free, Approved at £30 a month, Growth from £59 a month), the 12-month contract and auto-renewal, what members report paying, and whether it's worth it.
Read the guideHow to cancel your Checkatrade membership
How to cancel a Checkatrade trade membership: the 12-month term, the renewal window, why cancelling the direct debit isn't enough, and how to keep getting work afterwards.
Read the guideHow much does MyBuilder cost for tradespeople?
How MyBuilder charges tradespeople: no membership fee, a non-refundable shortlist fee each time a customer shares their details, what those fees typically are, and how to keep the cost down.
Read the guideIs Bark worth it for tradespeople? How the credits work
How Bark charges tradespeople: buying credits, how many a lead costs, credits that now expire after 3 months, and how to work out whether it pays for your trade.
Read the guideCheckatrade vs MyBuilder vs Bark: which is best for tradespeople?
Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Bark compared for UK tradespeople: how each one charges, typical 2026 costs, contracts, and which suits which kind of trade business.
Read the guideRated People has closed to tradespeople: what to do now
Rated People memberships ended in September 2026 and the brand was bought by Checkatrade Group. What happened, how to get your old data, and where to find work now.
Read the guideHow much does TrustATrader cost for tradespeople?
TrustATrader doesn't publish its prices. What it offers trades, the estimated cost and contract terms reported in 2026, and the questions to ask before you join.
Read the guideFor plumbers
See also our websites for plumbers.
SEO for plumbers: how to show up when people search for a plumber
How Google decides which plumbers to show, why “plumber near me” is worth so much, and the practical steps that help a plumbing business get found on Google, Maps and AI search.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a plumber in the UK?
What a plumbing website costs in 2026, from DIY builders to agencies and pay-monthly plans, compared with what plumbers pay per lead on Google Ads and directories.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a plumber
Practical ways for UK plumbers to get more jobs: Google Business Profile, reviews, a proper website, directories and what they cost, Google Ads, landlords and repeat customers.
Read the guideFor gas engineers
See also our websites for gas engineers.
SEO for gas engineers: get found for boiler repairs, installs and services
How gas and heating engineers show up on Google: separate pages for breakdowns, new boilers, servicing and landlord gas safety checks, your Gas Safe details, reviews and your Google profile.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a gas engineer in the UK?
What a website costs a UK gas or heating engineer in 2026, what it must include (Gas Safe details, breakdown and install pages, landlord checks), and how it compares with paying for leads.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a gas engineer
Practical ways for UK gas and heating engineers to get more work: landlord gas safety checks, building a servicing list, boiler installs, heat pumps, your Google profile, reviews and paid leads.
Read the guideFor electricians
See also our websites for electricians.
SEO for electricians: how to get found for the jobs you want
How electricians show up on Google and Google Maps: the profile, the service pages that match what people search (EICRs, consumer units, EV chargers), reviews and the registrations to show.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for an electrician in the UK?
What an electrician's website costs in 2026, what it needs to win landlord, homeowner and EV work, and how the cost compares with paying for leads on Google Ads and directories.
Read the guideHow to get more work as an electrician
Practical ways for UK electricians to get more jobs: landlord EICRs, letting agents, EV chargers, your Google profile and reviews, a proper website, and what directories and ads cost.
Read the guideFor roofers
See also our websites for roofers.
SEO for roofers: show up when someone's roof is leaking
Roofing has the most expensive Google Ads clicks of any trade. Here's how roofers can show up for free instead: Google profile, a page per roofing job, photos, reviews and trust signals.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a roofer in the UK?
What a roofing website costs in 2026, set against what roofers pay for leads: the dearest Google Ads clicks of any trade and MyBuilder roofing leads at £15 to £60.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a roofer
Practical ways for UK roofers to get more jobs: your Google profile, photos and reviews, a website with a page per job, builders and property managers, and what roofing leads really cost.
Read the guideFor builders
See also our websites for builders.
SEO for builders: get found by people planning extensions and renovations
How builders get found on Google: project pages that show finished work, a page for each type of build, answers to planning and building regulations questions, reviews and your Google profile.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a builder in the UK?
What a builder's website costs in 2026, why the project gallery matters more than anything else, and how the cost compares with what builders pay for leads.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a builder
Practical ways for UK builders to win more work: project photos and case studies, architects and designers, your Google profile and reviews, memberships, and what leads cost.
Read the guideFor joiners
See also our websites for joiners and carpenters.
SEO for joiners and carpenters: let your work get you found
How joiners and carpenters get found on Google: a page for each type of work, photo-led project pages, your Google profile, reviews, and the searches worth targeting.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a joiner or carpenter in the UK?
What a joinery or carpentry website costs in 2026, why it has to be photo-led, and how the cost compares with what joiners pay for leads.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a joiner or carpenter
Practical ways for UK joiners and carpenters to win more work: photos, choosing the jobs you want, builders and kitchen companies, your Google profile and reviews, and what leads cost.
Read the guideFor landscapers
See also our websites for landscapers.
SEO for landscapers: get found by people planning their garden
How landscapers get found on Google: a page for each job (patios, fencing, turf, driveways), photo-led project pages, seasonal timing, your Google profile and reviews.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a landscaper in the UK?
What a landscaping website costs in 2026, what it needs to win patio, fencing and garden jobs, and how it compares with paying for leads.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a landscaper
Practical ways for UK landscapers to win more work: before-and-after photos, planning ahead of the season, maintenance customers, builders and estate agents, reviews and what leads cost.
Read the guideFor decorators
See also our websites for painters and decorators.
SEO for painters and decorators: get found for the work you want
How painters and decorators get found on Google: a page for interiors, exteriors and specialist work, a clean gallery, your Google profile, reviews and showing customers you're careful.
Read the guideHow much does a website cost for a painter and decorator in the UK?
What a painter and decorator's website costs in 2026, what it needs to win interior and exterior work, and how it compares with paying for leads.
Read the guideHow to get more work as a painter and decorator
Practical ways for UK painters and decorators to get more work: photos of finished rooms, letting agents and landlords, builders, your Google profile and reviews, and what leads cost.
Read the guideFree preview
See your website before you spend a penny.
Tell us who you are and we'll build your preview from your Google listing. We'll text you the link, usually within a couple of working days.
Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm. You'll always deal with the same person.