Is Checkatrade Worth It in 2026? Costs Explained (And the Free Alternative)

If you are a tradesperson weighing up Checkatrade in 2026, the short answer is this: Checkatrade can still send work your way, but you pay a monthly subscription (commonly reported from around £30+VAT up to £100–£150 a month), usually on a 12-month contract — whereas Energy North is free for tradespeople in 2026, with 0% commission and no subscription. If you want leads without a contract, signing up free is the obvious place to start.

What does Checkatrade actually cost in 2026?

Checkatrade does not publish one flat price — your fee depends on your trade and your postcode. Based on publicly reported figures in 2026, basic plans are reported to start from around £30 + VAT per month, with most tradespeople paying roughly £50 to £150 per month once their trade category, area and any upgrades are factored in. Several review sites report figures higher still for in-demand trades in busy areas.

A few things are worth knowing before you sign:

• It is usually a 12-month contract. Membership is typically a fixed-term commitment, so you are agreeing to a year of payments rather than month-to-month flexibility.
• Upgrades cost more. Featured placements, profile boosts and category upgrades sit on top of the base fee, which is how a "£50 a month" plan can climb well past £100.
• You can pay before you earn. It is common for tradespeople to be paying a monthly fee before a single job lands.

None of this makes Checkatrade a scam — it is an established platform with genuine reach. The question is simply whether the monthly outlay and the contract make sense for the volume and quality of work you actually win.

Why tradespeople are looking for an alternative

The frustration we hear most often is not the headline price — it is the combination: a fixed contract, a monthly fee that runs whether the leads are good or not, and the feeling that the same enquiry has been sold to several of your competitors at once. When five trades all chase the same homeowner, your time goes into quoting jobs you were never likely to win.

That is the gap Energy North is built to close.

How Energy North is different

Energy North is a UK trades marketplace where homeowners post a job for free and verified local tradespeople reply directly. The model is deliberately simple:

• Free for tradespeople in 2026 — no subscription, no membership tier.
• 0% commission — you keep what you earn on the job.
• No 12-month contract to lock you in.
• Leads are not resold to five rivals — you reply directly to the homeowner.
• 80+ trades covered, electrical and heating first, then the wider trades.

Homeowners get verified local people without paying to post. Tradespeople get a direct line to real jobs without a monthly bill landing whether work comes in or not. You can see how it works or browse live demand, for example electricians in London, before you commit a penny.

Should you switch — or run both?

You do not have to make an either/or decision today. Many tradespeople test a free option alongside whatever they already use, then let the results decide. Because Energy North costs nothing to join in 2026 and carries no contract, there is little downside to adding it to your mix and comparing the quality of work you win from each.

If the maths on a paid subscription is starting to feel one-sided, a free, no-commission, no-contract marketplace is a sensible first move.

Ready to get leads without a subscription? Sign up free as a tradesperson on Energy North.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Checkatrade per month in 2026? There is no single price. Publicly reported figures put basic plans from around £30 + VAT per month, with most tradespeople paying roughly £50–£150 per month once trade, area and upgrades are included. Your exact quote depends on your trade category and postcode.

Is Checkatrade a 12-month contract? Membership is typically a fixed 12-month term, so you commit to a year of payments rather than paying month to month. Always check the current terms before you sign.

Is there a free alternative to Checkatrade for tradespeople? Yes. Energy North is free for tradespeople in 2026, with 0% commission and no subscription. Homeowners post jobs free and you reply to them directly.

Does Energy North resell my leads to other trades? No. The model is built around homeowners contacting verified local tradespeople directly, rather than one enquiry being sold to several competitors at once.

What trades does Energy North cover? Over 80 trades, with electrical and heating prioritised first, then the wider trades across UK towns and cities.

Sources

• Checkatrade cost breakdown 2026 — SwiftLead: https://www.swiftlead.co.uk/blog/checkatrade-cost-for-tradesmen
• Checkatrade cost per month 2026 — Jamie Grand: https://jamiegrand.co.uk/blog/checkatrade-vs-own-website-real-cost/
• Is Checkatrade worth it? 2026 review — Digital Tradies: https://digitaltradies.com/blog/is-checkatrade-worth-it/
• Join Checkatrade — Pricing: https://join.checkatrade.com/pricing/
• Checkatrade member benefits: https://join.checkatrade.com/your-benefits/

Note: Competitor pricing varies by trade and location and changes over time; figures above are publicly reported third-party estimates as of June 2026. Check Checkatrade directly for a current quote.

More Energy North guides

• How much does it cost to replace a fuse box (consumer unit) in London in 2026?
• How much does an EICR cost in London in 2026?
• How Much Does an Electrician Cost in London? (2026 Hourly & Day Rates)