Guide
Rated People has closed to tradespeople: what to do now
Updated 1 October 2026 · 3 minute read
If Rated People was one of your sources of work, September 2026 changed things quickly. Here's what happened, from Rated People's own announcement, and the practical steps to take now.
Short answer: Rated People memberships ended in September 2026, before the brand and website were bought by Checkatrade Group on 18 September. Memberships didn't transfer. Rated People says you can now only buy its leads by joining Checkatrade. If you relied on it, get your old data, then set up your own Google profile and website so you're not dependent on any one lead site.
What happened
- Rated People's announcement says memberships ended before the brand and website changed hands.
- The brand and website were bought by Checkatrade Group; Rated People's help centre dates the acquisition of its assets to 18 September 2026.
- Memberships did not transfer to Checkatrade automatically.
- Rated People says that you can now only buy Rated People leads by becoming a Checkatrade member.
- Questions about memberships before the sale go to the liquidators, S&W, at the email address on Rated People's help centre.
What to do now
- Get your old data. Rated People's announcement links to instructions for accessing your previous jobs, contacts and invoices. Do it while it's available.
- Contact recent customers yourself. If you have their details from past jobs, a quick message keeps the relationship yours.
- Decide whether to replace it with another lead site. Checkatrade is now the route to Rated People's leads. MyBuilder and Bark work differently. Our comparison of Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Bark sets out what each costs.
- Build channels nobody can switch off. A complete Google Business Profile, your own Google reviews and your own website stay yours whatever happens to a lead site.
The lesson
A lead site can change its prices, its rules or its owner at short notice. Customers who find you through your own Google profile and website don't disappear when that happens. See how to get more Google reviews and what your website needs.
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
Prices change. Figures were checked on the date above; check the provider's site for today's price.
Related guides
How much does Checkatrade cost for tradespeople in 2026? How to cancel your Checkatrade membership How much does MyBuilder cost for tradespeople? Is Bark worth it for tradespeople? How the credits work