Checkatrade is a quick way to get found by homeowners who are already looking, and the trust badge helps. Facebook ads take more setup, but the leads are yours alone, you choose the jobs and areas you want, and you build your own brand. Many trades do best using a directory for trust and their own ads for growth.
How each one works
Checkatrade is a directory. You pay a membership, get vetted, and homeowners who search the site can find and contact you. According to Checkatrade, basic plans start from around £30 + VAT a month, with larger memberships costing more depending on your trade, location, competition and lead volume.
Facebook ads are adverts you run yourself (or with help), shown to homeowners in the areas you choose. You pay Meta for the ads, and anyone who enquires contacts only you.
Side by side
| Checkatrade | Facebook ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Quick, profile and vetting | Ads, page and follow-up to build |
| Who the customer is | Already searching | Often not searching yet |
| Competition | Other trades on the same site | Just you in the conversation |
| Control | Limited | You choose jobs, areas and budget |
| Brand | Checkatrade’s | Yours |
| Cost | Membership fee | Your ad budget (from £1 a day) |
The case for Facebook ads
- You pick the work. Advertise rewires, re-roofs or full bathrooms, not whatever comes in.
- You pick the postcodes. Only pay to reach the areas you want to work in.
- You own the relationship. Every enquiry, review and repeat customer builds your business, not a platform.
- It can scale. When the numbers work, you can turn the budget up.
One of my clients has run a campaign on £10 a day since October, bringing in 742 enquiries at £4.33 each. See the case study.
The case for Checkatrade
- Trust. The vetting and reviews reassure homeowners.
- Intent. People on the site are usually ready to hire.
- Less to manage. No ads or pages to build.
The best answer for most trades
Use a directory for trust if it pays for itself, and build your own lead source with Facebook ads so you are never dependent on one platform. Whatever you use, reply to every enquiry fast and collect Google reviews, which strengthen both.
Want your own source of jobs?
I build Facebook ads, the page they point at and the follow-up for trades in the UK and US. Free 30-minute call, no pitch.
Book a free callSee my pages for trades in Glasgow and contractors in New York, or read how much Facebook ads cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Checkatrade cost?
Checkatrade says basic plans start from around £30 + VAT a month, with larger memberships costing more depending on your trade, location, competition and lead volume. Check with Checkatrade for a current quote.
Is Facebook advertising cheaper than Checkatrade?
It depends on your trade and area. Facebook ads can start from a very small daily budget, and the leads go only to you, but you need a good page and fast follow-up to make them pay.
Can I use Checkatrade and Facebook ads together?
Yes. Many trades use a directory for trust and their own ads to grow, so they are not dependent on a single source of work.
Related guides
- Facebook ads for plumbers: how to get more boiler and bathroom jobs
- Facebook ads for roofers: a simple plan for more roofing leads
- Facebook ads for electricians: get rewires, not just call-outs
- Facebook ads for builders: get extension and renovation enquiries
Pierce Tagle is a Facebook ads expert and AI automation specialist. He builds the ads, funnels and GoHighLevel follow-up systems that turn clicks into booked calls for businesses in the US and UK. More about Pierce