Guide
Is Bark worth it for tradespeople? How the credits work
Updated 1 October 2026 · 3 minute read
Bark sells leads using credits. You buy credits, then spend them to contact customers who've posted a job. Whether it's worth it comes down to how many of those contacts turn into paid work.
How Bark charges
- You buy credits, singly or in packs. Bark says packs work out cheaper per credit.
- Each lead costs a number of credits, depending on the service and the size and scope of the job. Bark says the credit cost is always shown before you respond.
- Credits bought on or after 1 November 2025 expire three months after purchase, and expired credits aren't refunded.
What a lead costs
Local Ladder's UK Trade Lead Cost Tracker (verified 30 September 2026) gives £1.80 per credit, from Bark's help centre, and typical leads of 5 to 20 or more credits. That's roughly £9 to £36 or more per lead, and a lead is a chance to quote, not a job.
Working out if it pays
- Add up what you spend on credits in a month.
- Count the jobs you actually win from Bark.
- Divide spend by jobs won. That's your real cost per job.
Compare that with your other sources. Because credits now expire after three months, avoid buying big packs until you know your numbers.
Where a website fits
Bark customers usually contact several trades. Your own website, with your reviews and real photos, helps you stand out from the others they're comparing, and brings in direct enquiries that cost no credits at all. See our comparison of Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Bark.
See what yours would look like
We'll build a website for your business from your Google listing, free. You only pay £199 if you want to keep it.
Sources
- Bark Help Centre: what is a credit and how much does it cost?
- Bark Help Centre: how credit expiration works
- Bark Help Centre: understanding lead pricing
- Local Ladder: UK Trade Lead Cost Tracker (verified 30 Sept 2026, CC BY 4.0)
Prices change. Figures were checked on the date above; check the provider's site for today's price.