Is Checkatrade worth it for finding a plumber?

Checkatrade is a solid option if you want strong vetting and verified reviews. The main downside is that coverage in rural areas like East Devon can be thin — you may only find 2–3 plumbers listed for your postcode. It is most useful for one-off jobs where you have no personal recommendation and want the reassurance of background checks.

Is MyBuilder any good for plumbing work?

MyBuilder works best for larger, planned projects (bathroom refits, new boiler installations) where you want multiple quotes. It is less suitable for small repairs or emergencies because the lead-buying model does not work well for low-value jobs. Vetting is minimal — always check qualifications independently.

Why would I use a local directory instead of Checkatrade?

A local directory guarantees that every listed plumber genuinely covers your area. National platforms list plumbers across wide regions — someone "covering Exmouth" on Checkatrade might be based 30 miles away and prioritise jobs closer to home. Local directories also cost less for plumbers to list on, which can mean lower prices for you.

How do I know a plumber on a local directory is trustworthy?

Look for verified listings where identity, qualifications and insurance have been checked. For gas work, always verify Gas Safe registration independently at gasregister.co.uk regardless of which platform you use. Ask for references, check Google Reviews, and never pay large sums upfront before work begins.

Do plumbers on Checkatrade charge more?

Not necessarily, but the subscription cost (£60–£120/month) is a business expense that gets factored into pricing. Similarly, MyBuilder's lead fees (£5–£30 per enquiry) add up. Plumbers on lower-cost platforms like local directories may have slightly lower overheads, but pricing varies widely between individuals regardless of platform.

Can I use more than one platform to find a plumber?

Absolutely — and we recommend it for larger jobs. Get quotes from a Checkatrade plumber, a MyBuilder plumber and a locally listed plumber. Compare not just price but communication, availability, qualifications and how well they understand the job. For small or urgent jobs, one trusted source is usually enough.

What about Rated People, Bark, and other platforms?

Rated People and Bark operate similarly to MyBuilder (lead-based models). Trustmark is a government-endorsed scheme with strong vetting but limited plumber coverage. Which? Trusted Traders has rigorous checks but fewer tradespeople overall. The principles in this guide apply to all platforms — check vetting standards, read reviews and verify qualifications independently.

Checkatrade vs MyBuilder vs Local Directories: How to Choose

Searching for a plumber online? You will quickly find Checkatrade, MyBuilder and various local directories all claiming to have the best tradespeople. But they work very differently — and the right choice depends on what you need. Here is an honest comparison.

Browse Our Local Directory

How Each Platform Works

Checkatrade, MyBuilder and local directories use fundamentally different business models. Understanding how they make money helps you understand the service you get.

Checkatrade

National directory

Plumbers pay a monthly subscription (£60–£120/month) to be listed. Homeowners browse listings and contact plumbers directly. Checkatrade runs background and qualification checks on sign-up.

Cost to plumber:£60–£120/month subscription

Cost to homeowner:Free to browse and contact

Vetting:Identity, qualifications, insurance and references checked on sign-up. Annual re-checks on some criteria.

Reviews:Verified reviews from customers who booked through the platform. Reviews cannot be deleted by the tradesperson.

Coverage:Nationwide — strong in the South East, thinner coverage in rural areas like East Devon.

MyBuilder

Job-posting marketplace

Homeowners post a job description. Plumbers buy "leads" (typically £5–£30 each) to express interest. The homeowner then picks from interested tradespeople.

Cost to plumber:£5–£30 per lead (pay-per-enquiry)

Cost to homeowner:Free to post jobs

Vetting:Basic identity check. No mandatory qualification verification. Relies heavily on customer reviews for trust.

Reviews:Reviews from completed jobs. Tradespeople cannot remove negative feedback. Rating system is prominent.

Coverage:Nationwide — best coverage in urban areas. Limited options in smaller East Devon towns.

Local Directory (like ours)

Hyper-local directory

A curated directory focused on a specific area. Plumbers can list for free (unverified) or pay for a verified listing with identity and qualification checks. Homeowners browse and contact directly.

Cost to plumber:Free (unverified) or one-off/annual fee for verified listing

Cost to homeowner:Free to browse and contact

Vetting:Verified listings: identity, Gas Safe registration, insurance and qualifications checked. Unverified: self-submitted, not independently checked.

Reviews:Developing — local directories build review history over time. Some link to Google Reviews for established tradespeople.

Coverage:Focused on a specific area — in our case, Exmouth and East Devon. Every listed plumber genuinely covers your area.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

Every platform has trade-offs. Here is what works well and what does not for each option.

Checkatrade

Pros

Strong vetting process — background checks give peace of mind
Large database of tradespeople across many trades
Verified reviews that tradespeople cannot delete
Well-known brand — most homeowners have heard of it
Good for one-off jobs where you have no personal recommendation

Cons

High subscription cost means some excellent local plumbers do not list
National focus — you may see plumbers listed for your area who rarely work there
Plumbers pay monthly whether they get work or not, which can inflate their prices
Coverage is patchy in rural East Devon — you may only see 2–3 options
No guarantee the plumber will respond quickly or accept small jobs

MyBuilder

Pros

Competition between plumbers can drive competitive pricing
Good for larger projects where you want multiple quotes quickly
Homeowner stays in control — you pick from interested plumbers
Review system is transparent and trusted
Free to use as a homeowner

Cons

Lead costs push prices up — plumbers factor lead fees into quotes
Plumbers buy leads blind, so you may get interest from people who are not ideal
Less suitable for small or emergency jobs (lead cost is not justified)
Minimal vetting — no mandatory qualification checks
Limited coverage in East Devon — most active plumbers are in larger cities

Local Directory

Pros

Every plumber genuinely covers your area — no wasted enquiries
Lower costs for plumbers mean lower prices for you
Verified listings confirm qualifications specific to the work you need
Local knowledge — plumbers familiar with local property types and water supply
Better for emergencies — local means faster response times
Supporting local tradespeople and the local economy

Cons

Smaller pool of plumbers than national platforms
Newer directories have fewer reviews (building over time)
Less brand recognition — you may not have heard of the directory before
Unverified listings have not been independently checked

Which Platform Should You Use?

The best platform depends on your situation. Use this guide to decide.

Your Situation	Best Option	Why
Emergency repair (burst pipe, no hot water)	Local directory or personal recommendation	You need someone nearby who can respond in 1–2 hours. National platforms are too slow for emergencies.
Large project (bathroom refit, new boiler)	Get quotes from all three sources	For jobs over £1,000, it is worth casting a wide net. Get 2–3 quotes from different platforms and compare.
Small routine job (fix a tap, unblock a drain)	Local directory or personal recommendation	National platforms are overkill for small jobs. Lead costs and subscription fees get passed to you. A local plumber will often fit small jobs in between larger ones at a fair rate.
Gas work (boiler service, gas cooker install)	Any platform — but verify Gas Safe registration yourself	Regardless of which platform you use, always check the engineer's Gas Safe registration at gasregister.co.uk before they start work.
No personal recommendation available	Checkatrade or local directory (verified listings)	Both offer meaningful vetting. Checkatrade has more reviews; local directories have plumbers who definitely cover your area.
You want the cheapest quote possible	MyBuilder (for competition) or local directory (lower overheads)	MyBuilder creates competition between plumbers. Local plumbers have lower marketing costs which can mean lower prices. Beware: cheapest is not always best.

The Bottom Line

There is no single best platform. But here are three rules that apply regardless of which one you use.

Always verify Gas Safe registration yourself

No platform is infallible. For any gas work, check the engineer's registration at gasregister.co.uk before they start. It takes 30 seconds.

Get a written quote before work starts

Whether you find your plumber on Checkatrade, MyBuilder or a local directory, always get the scope of work and price agreed in writing. A verbal estimate is not a quote.

For local work, choose a local plumber

A plumber based 5 miles away will always respond faster, know your local water supply better and care more about their local reputation than someone listed for your area but based 30 miles away.

Checkatrade vs MyBuilder: FAQs

Try Our Local Plumber Directory

We built this directory because national platforms do not serve East Devon well. Every plumber listed here genuinely covers Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Topsham and surrounding areas. Browse verified listings, compare services and get in touch directly.

Browse Local Plumbers Get Listed (Free)

Want more help choosing? Read our guide to finding a good plumber. Wondering what to budget? Check our plumber costs guide or try the cost calculator. Not sure what is wrong? Use our plumbing diagnosis tool. Looking for plumbers in a specific area? See our East Devon coverage map.