If you’re a roofer, bathroom renovator, kitchen fitter, builder or contractor in the UK, there’s one question that matters more than almost anything else:

How do I get more jobs?

You can have the best workmanship in your area, years of experience and plenty of happy customers, but if your phone isn’t ringing and your enquiry inbox is empty, growing your trade business becomes difficult.

That is why marketing for tradesmen has become such an important part of running a successful trade business.

Today, tradespeople have more ways to find new customers than ever before.

You can:

• join a trade lead-generation platform
• build a professional website
• invest in local SEO
• optimise your Google Business Profile
• run Google Ads
• run Facebook Ads
• generate your own enquiries
• use referrals
• build a social media presence
• invest in content marketing
• use a combination of different channels

Two approaches that often come up are Checkatrade and Breakloo.

But which is better?

More importantly, which approach is better if your goal is:

more enquiries, more quotes, more booked jobs and a bigger trade business?

The answer isn’t as simple as saying one company is “better” than the other.

The two businesses approach customer acquisition differently.

Checkatrade is a large marketplace and trade directory that connects homeowners with tradespeople.

Breakloo is built specifically around helping roofers, bathroom renovators, kitchen fitters and contractors across the UK get more jobs through websites, local SEO, advertising, lead generation and marketing support.

That distinction is crucial.

Checkatrade gives tradespeople access to an established marketplace.

Breakloo’s approach is to help build a job-generation system around the trade business itself.

In this guide, we’ll compare the two in detail and look at:

• Checkatrade vs Breakloo
• Checkatrade alternatives
• lead generation for tradesmen
• marketing for tradesmen in the UK
• how to get more customers as a roofer
• how to get more bathroom fitting jobs
• how to get more kitchen fitting jobs
• how contractors can generate more enquiries
• websites for tradesmen
• builders website cost
• local SEO for tradesmen
• Google Business Profile for tradesmen
• Facebook Ads for roofers
• Facebook Ads for builders
• paid advertising
• trade leads
• exclusive leads
• whether you should stop paying for leads
• whether Checkatrade is worth it
• whether MyBuilder is worth it
• and how to build a more sustainable marketing strategy for your trade business.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: The Quick Comparison

Before we get into the detail, let’s look at the fundamental difference.

Feature	Checkatrade	Breakloo
Main purpose	Trade marketplace and lead platform	Trade-focused jobs, marketing and growth partner
Built specifically for trades	Yes	Yes
Roofers	Yes	Yes
Bathroom renovators	Yes	Yes
Kitchen fitters	Yes	Yes
Contractors	Yes	Yes
Lead generation	Yes	Yes
Website services	Trade profile rather than your own marketing system	Yes
Local SEO	Marketplace visibility	Yes
Paid advertising	Not the central proposition	Yes
Google-focused marketing	Platform visibility	Local SEO and advertising
Own website strategy	Limited to your marketplace presence	Central to the strategy
Marketing strategy	Primarily marketplace-led	Multi-channel
Brand building	Build presence on Checkatrade	Build the trade business’s own brand
Customer acquisition	Marketplace enquiries	Website, SEO, ads and lead generation
Lead dependency	Platform-dependent	Designed around multiple acquisition channels
VA support	Not the core proposition	Yes
Best suited to	Tradespeople wanting access to an established marketplace	Tradespeople wanting more jobs and a wider growth system
Long-term objective	More marketplace visibility and enquiries	More jobs plus an increasingly independent marketing asset

The simplest way to put it is:

Checkatrade helps tradespeople access customers through a marketplace. Breakloo is built to help trade businesses generate more jobs through a combination of lead generation, websites, local SEO, ads and marketing support.

What Is Checkatrade?

Checkatrade is one of the UK’s best-known trade marketplaces.

It allows homeowners to search for tradespeople across many different categories, while tradespeople can create profiles, collect reviews and access customer enquiries.

Its model is based around bringing together two sides of the market:

Homeowners who need work completed

and

Tradespeople who want more work.

For a customer, the process can be relatively straightforward.

They may need:

• a roofer
• builder
• plumber
• electrician
• bathroom fitter
• kitchen fitter
• plasterer
• carpenter
• landscaper
• decorator
• driveway installer

They can search for relevant tradespeople and compare businesses.

For tradespeople, the attraction is obvious.

Instead of having to generate every customer independently, they can access a platform where customers are already looking for trade services.

Checkatrade also places considerable emphasis on vetting and reviews as part of its proposition.

That can be valuable because trust is one of the biggest barriers when a homeowner is choosing someone to work on their property.

What Is Breakloo?

Breakloo is positioned very differently.

Breakloo is built specifically for roofers, bathroom renovators, kitchen fitters and contractors across the UK who want to get more jobs and grow their trade business.

The service combines several parts of modern trade marketing rather than focusing on just one.

These include:

• lead generation
• trade websites
• local SEO
• advertising
• marketing
• VA support

The objective is straightforward:

Help trades businesses generate more enquiries and turn those enquiries into more jobs.

This is important because getting more jobs isn’t simply about having a listing somewhere.

A successful trade business needs a system for:

1. attracting potential customers
2. getting them to enquire
3. building trust
4. following up
5. converting enquiries into quotes
6. winning the work
7. generating reviews
8. generating repeat business
9. generating referrals
10. creating a stronger reputation for the future

That is the broader problem Breakloo is designed to address.

The Biggest Difference Between Checkatrade and Breakloo

The biggest difference is where the customer journey happens.

With a marketplace such as Checkatrade, the customer begins on the marketplace.

They may search for a roofer, compare several profiles and then decide which tradesperson to contact.

The marketplace owns the environment in which that initial discovery happens.

Breakloo takes a different approach.

The objective is to help build a marketing system around your trade business.

That can involve:

Your website

↓

Local SEO

↓

Google searches

↓

Paid advertising

↓

Lead generation

↓

Customer enquiry

↓

Your business

This creates an important distinction.

Checkatrade

You are competing within an established marketplace.

Breakloo

The strategy is designed around generating demand for your own trade business.

Neither model is automatically right for everyone.

The question is which one fits your current business and your long-term goals.

Why Getting More Jobs Is Different From Getting More Leads

This is one of the most important concepts in trade marketing.

A lot of businesses talk about:

lead generation

But what you actually need is:

job generation.

A lead is simply a potential customer.

They may:

• not answer your call
• be looking for the cheapest quote
• be outside your service area
• have an unrealistic budget
• change their mind
• choose another contractor
• never respond again

A job is different.

A job is revenue.

Therefore, the real marketing funnel is:

Traffic

→

Enquiry

→

Qualified lead

→

Quote

→

Won job

→

Revenue

→

Profit

That is why Breakloo’s positioning around “get more jobs” is important.

The objective isn’t simply to make a website.

It isn’t simply to generate website visitors.

It isn’t simply to produce leads.

The objective is to help trade businesses generate more opportunities to win profitable work.

Checkatrade: The Main Advantages

Let’s start with the strengths of Checkatrade.

1. Existing customer demand

This is arguably its biggest advantage.

Checkatrade already has a large consumer audience searching for tradespeople.

That means a tradesperson does not have to start from zero.

If you’re a roofer with an empty diary, being present where homeowners are already searching can be valuable.

2. Established brand recognition

Checkatrade has been operating in the UK trades market for many years.

Many homeowners are familiar with the name.

That can reduce some of the trust barrier associated with finding an unknown tradesperson online.

3. Reviews

Reviews are extremely important in the trades.

A homeowner is allowing someone into their property.

They want reassurance.

They want to know:

• Has this person done similar work?
• Are they reliable?
• Are they professional?
• Do previous customers recommend them?
• Did they complete the job properly?

A marketplace built around reviews can therefore help a tradesperson establish credibility.

4. Vetting

Checkatrade also places significant emphasis on checking members before approval.

That gives consumers an additional layer of reassurance.

For newer trade businesses without a long-established brand, this can be useful.

5. Speed

This is another major advantage.

SEO takes time.

A new website takes time to establish authority.

A new brand takes time to build recognition.

A marketplace can potentially give a tradesperson access to enquiries much faster.

If your immediate problem is:

“I have availability next week and I need work.”

a marketplace may be attractive.

The Disadvantages of Checkatrade

There are also important limitations.

1. You are operating on somebody else’s platform

Your profile exists within Checkatrade.

The marketplace controls:

• the platform
• its design
• the customer experience
• the search environment
• its commercial model
• its membership options
• its policies

That is not necessarily a bad thing.

But it means you do not control the whole customer acquisition process.

2. You compete with other tradespeople

A homeowner doesn’t necessarily see only you.

They may compare multiple businesses.

That can lead to:

• price competition
• review competition
• availability competition
• response-time competition
• profile competition

You have to convince the customer that your business is the right choice.

3. Leads aren’t guaranteed jobs

This is worth repeating.

You can pay for access to leads.

But you still have to:

• respond
• qualify
• visit
• quote
• follow up
• negotiate
• close

Marketing generates opportunities.

Your sales process generates customers.

4. You can become dependent on the platform

This is perhaps the biggest strategic concern.

Imagine 80% of your enquiries come from one platform.

What happens if:

• your costs increase?
• competition increases?
• lead volume falls?
• customer behaviour changes?
• the platform changes its rules?
• your membership changes?

Your business pipeline can be affected.

That is why diversification matters.

Breakloo’s Different Approach

Breakloo is designed around a different idea:

Don’t just put your trade business where customers are already looking. Build a system that helps customers find your business directly.

For roofers, bathroom renovators, kitchen fitters and contractors, that can involve several channels.

Websites

Your website becomes the central home of your business online.

Local SEO

Your business can target relevant searches in the areas you serve.

Ads

You can reach potential customers through paid advertising.

Lead generation

The overall strategy is designed to create enquiries.

Marketing

Different channels can work together rather than operating separately.

VA support

Administrative support can help businesses manage the workload associated with enquiries, follow-ups and business operations.

This creates a more complete growth model.

Why a Trade-Specific Marketing Strategy Matters

One of the biggest problems with generic digital marketing is that trades businesses are not all the same.

A roofer is different from a kitchen fitter.

A bathroom renovator is different from a general builder.

A contractor is different from a landscaper.

Their customers search differently.

Their average job values differ.

Their sales cycles differ.

Their geographic areas differ.

Their content needs differ.

Their advertising needs differ.

Their conversion process differs.

That is why Breakloo’s focus on:

roofers

bathroom renovators

kitchen fitters

contractors

is significant.

A trade-specific marketing strategy can be built around the actual buying journey of the customer.

How to Get More Customers as a Roofer

If you search Google for:

“how to get more customers as a roofer”

you will find countless generic marketing recommendations.

But what does a roofer actually need?

A roofing business needs visibility when someone searches for problems such as:

• leaking roof
• roof repair
• roof replacement
• flat roof repair
• new roof
• emergency roofer
• roof inspection
• guttering
• fascias
• soffits

These are high-value commercial searches.

A strong roofing marketing strategy can combine:

Website

Create pages around actual roofing services.

Local SEO

Target relevant areas.

Google Business Profile

Build visibility in local search.

Reviews

Demonstrate customer satisfaction.

Paid ads

Capture high-intent searches.

Social media

Show completed roofing projects.

Lead generation

Create a consistent flow of enquiries.

Follow-up

Convert more enquiries into jobs.

This is much more powerful than simply saying:

“We are a roofing company. Contact us today.”

How to Get More Roofing Jobs

A roofer might have an excellent website but still not receive enough enquiries.

Why?

Because having a website and generating traffic are two different things.

You need:

Visibility → Trust → Enquiry → Quote → Job

For example:

A homeowner searches:

“roof repair near me”

They see your business.

They visit your website.

They see:

• real project photographs
• reviews
• roofing services
• areas covered
• company information
• clear contact options

They then call.

That is the journey a trade-focused marketing system is designed to create.

Facebook Ads for Roofers

Facebook and Instagram can be particularly useful for roofers because roofing work is highly visual.

You can show:

Before

A damaged roof.

↓

During

Your team carrying out repairs.

↓

After

The finished roof.

This creates a compelling transformation.

Facebook Ads for roofers can also focus on problems.

For example:

Is your roof showing signs of damage?

or:

Worried your roof may not make it through another winter?

or:

Three warning signs that your roof may need repairing.

The advert can then direct the potential customer to a landing page where they can:

• request a quote
• call
• upload photos
• book an inspection

That is very different from simply having a directory listing.

How to Get More Bathroom Fitting Jobs

Bathroom renovation is another highly visual trade.

People search for:

• bathroom fitter
• bathroom renovation
• bathroom refurbishment
• wet room installation
• walk-in shower
• ensuite bathroom
• accessible bathroom
• bathroom installation
• bathroom design
• bathroom renovation company

A strong marketing system can create dedicated pages around these services.

But the website should also show what customers actually care about.

Photographs

Show finished bathrooms.

Case studies

Explain what was changed.

Reviews

Show customer experiences.

Process

Explain how the renovation works.

Calls to action

Make it easy to request a quote.

This answers the customer’s biggest question:

“Can I trust these people to transform my bathroom?”

How to Get More Kitchen Fitting Jobs

Kitchen fitting is another area where visual marketing can be extremely powerful.

Potential customers may search:

• kitchen fitter near me
• kitchen installation
• kitchen renovation
• kitchen refurbishment
• kitchen installer
• bespoke kitchen fitting
• kitchen renovation company
• kitchen fitters UK

But customers are also heavily influenced by photographs.

A kitchen fitter should therefore showcase:

• completed kitchens
• cabinetry
• worktops
• lighting
• flooring
• appliances
• before-and-after transformations

A good website can act as an online portfolio.

Advertising can then send potential customers directly to that portfolio.

Lead Generation for Tradesmen

Lead generation for tradesmen is not about generating the largest possible number of enquiries.

It is about generating the right enquiries.

Imagine two marketing campaigns.

Campaign A

100 leads.

Only three become customers.

Campaign B

25 leads.

Ten become customers.

Campaign B is much better.

That is why trade lead generation should focus on:

• location
• service
• job type
• customer intent
• budget
• project value
• lead quality

rather than simply chasing volume.

Marketing for Tradesmen UK

Marketing for tradesmen in the UK is changing.

Historically, many trade businesses relied heavily on:

• word of mouth
• local advertising
• Yellow Pages
• flyers
• signage
• recommendations

Referrals are still incredibly valuable.

But customers now commonly research businesses online.

They might:

1. see your van
2. search your business name
3. look at Google reviews
4. visit your website
5. check photographs
6. compare competitors
7. contact you

Your online presence therefore affects whether you win work even when the customer discovered you offline.

Website for Tradesman: Why It Matters

A website for a tradesman should do more than look professional.

It should help generate jobs.

A strong trade website should answer:

What do you do?

For example:

Roofing, roof repairs and new roof installations.

Where do you work?

For example:

Serving Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall and surrounding areas.

Why should I trust you?

Show:

• experience
• reviews
• qualifications
• accreditations
• insurance
• case studies

What does your work look like?

Show photographs.

How do I contact you?

Make the process simple.

This is what turns a website into a marketing asset.

Builders Website Cost: Is a Cheap Website Really Cheap?

“Builders website cost” is an important search for contractors and construction businesses.

But the cheapest website is not necessarily the cheapest marketing solution.

Suppose:

Website A

Costs £500.

Generates almost no enquiries.

Website B

Costs £2,500.

Generates five additional jobs every month.

The second website may be dramatically cheaper in real business terms.

The correct question is not:

“How cheap can I get a website?”

It is:

“Can this website help me generate enough additional business to justify the investment?”

For trade businesses, a website should be treated as part of the sales and marketing system.

Local SEO for Tradesmen

Local SEO is particularly important for trade businesses because most trades operate within defined geographical areas.

A roofer might serve:

• Birmingham
• Walsall
• Wolverhampton
• Dudley
• Solihull

A bathroom renovator might work within a 20-mile radius.

A kitchen fitter may target several towns.

The website and Google Business Profile should make the business’s service area clear.

Potential searches include:

• roofer Birmingham
• roofer Wolverhampton
• bathroom fitter Birmingham
• kitchen fitter Walsall
• builder near me
• contractor Birmingham
• roofing company near me

Local SEO helps businesses compete for these searches.

Google Business Profile for Tradesmen

Google Business Profile is an important part of local marketing for tradesmen.

When a homeowner searches for a local service, Google can display local business information and Maps results.

A strong profile should contain accurate:

• business name
• category
• phone number
• website
• service information
• opening hours
• photographs

And, importantly:

genuine customer reviews.

Your Google Business Profile and website should work together.

They should communicate the same:

• business name
• services
• location
• branding
• customer proposition

Why Reviews Matter for Trade Businesses

Reviews are one of the strongest forms of social proof.

Consider these two businesses.

Company A

“We provide high-quality roofing services.”

Company B

“★★★★★ Excellent service. They arrived exactly when they said they would, explained the problem clearly and completed the roof repair quickly.”

The second gives the homeowner evidence.

Reviews can reduce uncertainty.

They can also help differentiate your business from competitors.

Whether reviews come from Google, Checkatrade or other legitimate sources, they should be genuine and accurately represented.

Stop Paying for Leads: Is That Really the Answer?

The phrase:

“Stop paying for leads”

is becoming increasingly common.

But it needs some context.

There is nothing inherently wrong with paying for leads.

Businesses have paid for customer acquisition for decades.

The problem is becoming completely dependent on purchased leads.

Imagine your business gets:

100% of its enquiries from a third-party platform.

That is risky.

Now imagine your enquiries come from:

• Google organic
• Google Business Profile
• website SEO
• paid ads
• referrals
• repeat customers
• social media
• Checkatrade
• other lead platforms

You have a more diversified acquisition system.

The goal should not necessarily be:

“Never pay for leads.”

The goal should be:

“Build enough of my own marketing capability that I am not dependent on one source of leads.”

That is a much more realistic strategy.

Exclusive Leads for Roofers: What Should You Look For?

Roofers often search for:

“exclusive leads for roofers.”

It sounds attractive.

If a customer is only contacting you, surely that is better than competing against several roofers?

Potentially, yes.

But always ask what “exclusive” actually means.

Before buying exclusive leads, ask:

• Is the enquiry genuinely sent to one roofer?
• How quickly do I receive it?
• Is the customer actively looking for the service?
• Is the lead geographically relevant?
• Can I reject unsuitable leads?
• What happens if the number is invalid?
• What happens if the customer doesn’t respond?
• Is there a refund policy?
• Are the leads generated organically or through advertising?
• Who owns the customer relationship?

These questions matter.

Checkatrade Alternative: What Are Your Options?

If you’re searching for a:

Checkatrade alternative

you should first decide what you are trying to replace.

Are you trying to replace:

A source of leads?

Then another lead platform may be appropriate.

A source of trust?

Reviews, case studies and a strong brand can help.

A website?

A professional trade website can help.

Your entire marketing system?

Then you need something broader.

This is where Breakloo’s positioning becomes particularly relevant.

Rather than simply offering another directory listing, Breakloo is built around helping trades businesses generate more jobs through:

• websites
• local SEO
• ads
• lead generation
• marketing
• VA support

That means the focus isn’t simply:

“Where can I buy my next lead?”

It becomes:

“How can I build a system that consistently generates jobs for my business?”

Is MyBuilder Worth It?

The same question applies to:

“Is MyBuilder worth it?”

or:

“Is Checkatrade worth it?”

Don’t judge a platform only by its monthly price.

Measure the actual business result.

Track:

• leads
• qualified leads
• quotes
• jobs won
• revenue
• gross profit
• cost per lead
• cost per customer
• average job value

For example:

If you spend £500 and generate:

20 leads

but win:

5 jobs

your cost per booked job is:

£100.

If those five jobs generate significant profit, the channel may be worthwhile.

If you win no jobs, it doesn’t matter how cheap the membership looked.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: Cost Should Not Be the Only Question

Tradespeople often ask:

“How much does this cost?”

That is understandable.

But the better question is:

“How much does it cost me to acquire a profitable customer?”

Suppose one marketing channel costs £200 per month.

It generates two jobs.

Another costs £800.

It generates 12 jobs.

The second channel costs four times more but generates six times more customers.

The cheapest marketing channel is not necessarily the most profitable.

Lead Cost vs Customer Acquisition Cost

This distinction is essential.

Cost per lead

How much you spend to generate an enquiry.

Customer acquisition cost

How much you spend to win a customer.

These are not the same.

Suppose:

£500 marketing spend

generates:

25 leads

Your cost per lead is:

£20.

But if only five become customers:

£500 ÷ 5 = £100 per customer.

The £100 figure is much more useful for your business decisions.

What Makes Breakloo Different?

Breakloo’s key difference is its focus.

It is not designed around one particular marketing channel.

It is built specifically for:

• roofers
• bathroom renovators
• kitchen fitters
• contractors

and the objective is:

get more jobs and grow the trade business.

That can mean combining several components.

1. Trade websites

Build the digital home of the business.

2. Local SEO

Help potential customers discover the business in relevant locations.

3. Ads

Reach customers through paid advertising.

4. Lead generation

Create opportunities for the trade business.

5. Marketing

Build awareness, trust and demand.

6. VA support

Help with the operational side of managing a growing pipeline.

The result is intended to be a more complete customer-acquisition system.

Why Combining Websites, SEO and Ads Makes Sense

Imagine three separate strategies.

Website only

You have a nice website.

But nobody sees it.

SEO only

People may find you through Google.

But your website is poor and fails to convert.

Ads only

You generate traffic.

But the landing page doesn’t build enough trust.

Combining the three can be much more powerful.

Website

↓

converts visitors

SEO

↓

generates organic visibility

Ads

↓

generates immediate targeted traffic

Lead generation

↓

creates enquiries

Marketing

↓

builds trust and demand

That is the ecosystem.

How Breakloo Can Fit Into a Roofer’s Marketing Strategy

Imagine a roofing company that wants more work.

The business may have:

• good workmanship
• several years’ experience
• satisfied customers
• a van
• photographs
• insurance
• a phone number

But perhaps it has:

• an outdated website
• poor Google visibility
• little SEO
• inconsistent enquiries
• no advertising strategy

A trade-focused growth strategy can address those areas.

Step 1: Website

Create a professional roofing website.

Step 2: Services

Build pages for:

• roof repairs
• new roofs
• flat roofs
• emergency roofing
• guttering

Step 3: Local SEO

Target genuine service areas.

Step 4: Google Business Profile

Improve local visibility.

Step 5: Ads

Target high-intent searches or appropriate social audiences.

Step 6: Lead handling

Respond quickly.

Step 7: Reviews

Build social proof.

The objective:

More enquiries → more quotes → more roofing jobs.

How Breakloo Can Fit Into a Bathroom Renovator’s Marketing Strategy

Bathroom renovation is another strong example.

A bathroom renovator could build campaigns around:

• bathroom renovation
• bathroom refurbishment
• wet rooms
• walk-in showers
• ensuite bathrooms
• accessible bathrooms
• complete bathroom installation

The website can then showcase:

• completed bathrooms
• before-and-after photographs
• customer testimonials
• project descriptions
• areas covered

Ads can drive traffic to relevant pages.

SEO can build longer-term visibility.

The combination creates a stronger funnel than simply having a directory profile.

How Breakloo Can Fit Into a Kitchen Fitter’s Marketing Strategy

Kitchen fitting businesses can use a similar strategy.

Target:

• kitchen fitting
• kitchen installation
• kitchen renovation
• kitchen refurbishment
• bespoke kitchen fitting
• kitchen installer near me

Then demonstrate the quality of your work visually.

A customer considering a £10,000, £20,000 or £30,000 kitchen project is likely to want confidence before making contact.

A strong website can help provide that confidence.

How Contractors Can Generate More Jobs

Contractors can face an even wider range of potential services.

For example:

• building work
• extensions
• renovations
• conversions
• structural work
• refurbishments
• commercial work

This means contractors need a clear positioning strategy.

Instead of trying to rank for everything, the marketing should identify:

Which jobs are most profitable?

Which locations are most valuable?

Which customers do you want more of?

Which services have the strongest margins?

Then build the marketing around those priorities.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Jobs

More leads don’t always mean a better business.

Suppose you are a builder.

You might receive 50 enquiries for:

£500 repair jobs.

But perhaps your business is designed to make money from:

£25,000 extensions.

Generating more £500 enquiries could actually make your business less efficient.

This is why Breakloo’s approach should be understood as:

getting more of the right jobs

rather than simply:

getting more leads.

Marketing Should Be Based on Your Ideal Customer

Before launching an advertising campaign, ask:

Who is the customer?

Homeowner?

Landlord?

Property developer?

Commercial client?

What service do they need?

Roof repair?

Bathroom renovation?

Kitchen installation?

Extension?

Where are they located?

Which towns and postcodes?

What is the typical project value?

£1,000?

£5,000?

£20,000?

£50,000?

What problem are they trying to solve?

Leak?

Old bathroom?

Outdated kitchen?

Need more space?

The more clearly you define the customer, the better your marketing can become.

Why Trade Businesses Need a Strong Brand

A trade business isn’t just a collection of jobs.

Over time, you want people to recognise your company.

Your brand should appear consistently across:

• website
• Google
• social media
• vans
• uniforms
• quotes
• invoices
• signage
• advertisements

When someone thinks:

“I need a new roof.”

you want them to think of your company.

When someone thinks:

“I need my bathroom renovated.”

you want your business to be remembered.

This is the long-term value of building your own brand rather than relying exclusively on third-party marketplaces.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: Which Is Better for a New Tradesperson?

If you’ve just started your business, you have a difficult problem.

You need customers.

But you don’t have:

• many reviews
• a big brand
• an established website
• strong SEO
• a large customer database

Checkatrade can potentially provide access to an established marketplace.

At the same time, building your own online presence from the beginning can prevent you from becoming dependent on one platform.

For a new tradesperson, a combination can make sense.

Use immediate lead sources while building your own long-term customer acquisition channels.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: Which Is Better for an Established Trade Business?

Established businesses have different needs.

If you already have:

• hundreds of customers
• years of experience
• excellent reviews
• strong project photography
• a team
• a recognisable brand

then building your own marketing infrastructure becomes increasingly important.

You already have the ingredients.

Your website can showcase them.

Your SEO can target your best services.

Your advertising can promote your most profitable work.

Your reviews can build trust.

Your content can demonstrate expertise.

Your brand can become an independent source of demand.

Why Diversification Matters

Imagine two businesses.

Business A

80% of leads from Checkatrade.

20% referrals.

Business B

20% SEO.

20% Google Business Profile.

15% paid ads.

15% referrals.

10% social media.

10% repeat customers.

10% Checkatrade.

Business B has more marketing channels.

That does not guarantee success.

But it reduces dependence on one platform.

If one channel stops performing, the business still has other sources of enquiries.

Should You Completely Leave Checkatrade?

Not necessarily.

If Checkatrade is producing profitable jobs, keep using it.

The question is whether you should make it your only source of business.

For some trade businesses, Checkatrade could be one useful part of a wider strategy.

The same principle applies to any lead platform.

If a channel produces profitable work:

measure it, optimise it and keep it.

If it doesn’t:

reduce or remove it.

The Future of Marketing for Tradesmen

The future isn’t simply:

“Find a website that gives me leads.”

It is:

“Build a business that can consistently attract customers.”

That means trade businesses increasingly need:

• strong websites
• local search visibility
• reviews
• advertising
• social proof
• fast response times
• professional branding
• lead management
• customer follow-up
• data and tracking

The businesses that understand this will have an advantage over businesses relying entirely on one source of enquiries.

A Complete Trade Business Lead Generation Funnel

A strong system might look like this:

Step 1: Customer searches

Google:

“roofer near me”

or

“bathroom fitter Birmingham”

or

“kitchen fitter Wolverhampton”

Step 2: Customer finds your business

Through:

• SEO
• Google Business Profile
• paid advertising
• social media
• marketplace
• referral

Step 3: Customer visits your website

They see:

• services
• photographs
• reviews
• locations
• experience

Step 4: Customer enquires

They:

• call
• fill out a form
• send a message
• request a quote

Step 5: Lead is qualified

You establish:

• location
• project type
• budget
• timeline

Step 6: Quote

You visit or assess the work.

Step 7: Follow-up

You don’t simply send the quote and forget about it.

Step 8: Job won

The lead becomes revenue.

Step 9: Review

The customer leaves genuine feedback.

Step 10: Referral

The customer recommends you.

That creates a cycle.

Why VA Support Can Matter for Growing Trade Businesses

A common problem for successful tradespeople is that the business becomes busy.

The owner is:

• answering calls
• visiting jobs
• preparing quotes
• ordering materials
• managing staff
• dealing with customers
• handling paperwork
• chasing payments

Marketing can create more enquiries, but somebody needs to manage those enquiries.

That is where administrative and VA support can become useful.

The aim is to help ensure that marketing-generated opportunities don’t disappear simply because the business owner is on a roof, fitting a bathroom or managing a building project.

More leads are only useful if they are handled properly.

Marketing for Tradesmen Is About More Than Advertising

Advertising is only one part of the equation.

You can spend £1,000 on Facebook Ads.

But if:

• your website looks unprofessional
• your phone isn’t answered
• your form doesn’t work
• your reviews are poor
• your photos are terrible
• your response takes two days

you may waste the advertising budget.

Marketing therefore needs to be connected.

Advert → website → enquiry → response → quote → job

Every stage matters.

Why Local SEO and Ads Work Well Together

SEO is a long-term strategy.

Ads can produce traffic more quickly.

That means the two can complement each other.

SEO

Build long-term organic visibility.

Ads

Capture immediate demand.

For example:

Someone searches:

“emergency roofer Birmingham.”

Your paid advert appears.

At the same time, your website may also have an organic presence for relevant roofing searches.

The customer sees your business in multiple places.

That can reinforce trust.

How to Measure Your Trade Marketing

Never judge marketing simply by how many people visited your website.

Track:

Website visitors

How many people are arriving?

Enquiries

How many contact you?

Qualified leads

How many are genuine prospects?

Quotes

How many receive an estimate?

Jobs won

How many become customers?

Average job value

How much is each job worth?

Gross profit

How much money remains after direct costs?

Customer acquisition cost

How much does it cost to win each customer?

This gives you a real marketing dashboard.

Example: A Roofing Business

Imagine a roofing company spends:

£1,000 per month on marketing.

It generates:

50 enquiries.

After qualification:

30 are suitable.

The roofer sends:

20 quotes.

They win:

8 jobs.

Average job value:

£3,000.

Revenue:

£24,000.

Now the company can calculate whether the £1,000 marketing investment makes sense.

This is far more useful than saying:

“We got 50 leads.”

Example: A Bathroom Renovation Business

Suppose a bathroom renovator spends:

£800 per month.

They receive:

20 enquiries.

They qualify:

12.

Quote:

10.

Win:

4.

Average project:

£5,000.

Revenue:

£20,000.

Again, the important question is:

What profit did those jobs generate?

That is how a serious trade business should evaluate marketing.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: The Strategic Difference

Ultimately, the difference can be summarised like this.

Checkatrade

Marketplace-first

The platform already has customers.

You create a presence there.

Customers can find you.

You compete for work.

You receive opportunities.

Breakloo

Business-growth-first

Your trade business becomes the centre.

The strategy can combine:

• website
• local SEO
• ads
• lead generation
• marketing
• VA support

The objective is:

more jobs and business growth.

When Checkatrade May Be Better

Checkatrade may make sense if:

• you need leads quickly
• you have limited online visibility
• you want to access an existing marketplace
• you want marketplace reviews
• you are comfortable competing with other tradespeople
• the economics of your leads work

It can be a useful customer acquisition channel.

When Breakloo May Be Better

Breakloo may be more appropriate if you want:

• more jobs
• a dedicated trade marketing strategy
• your own professional website
• local SEO
• paid advertising
• lead generation
• stronger online visibility
• a more independent source of enquiries
• marketing support
• VA support
• a system designed specifically around your trade business

The focus is not simply on giving you a listing.

It is on helping your business become easier to find and easier to contact.

When Using Both Makes Sense

For many businesses, this may be the strongest approach.

You can use Checkatrade as one lead source.

At the same time, build:

your website

your Google presence

your SEO

your advertising

your reviews

your social media

your brand

your customer database

This gives you both:

short-term opportunities

and

long-term marketing infrastructure.

The Biggest Question: Who Owns the Customer Journey?

This is one of the most important questions when comparing a marketplace with your own marketing system.

When a customer finds you through a marketplace, the marketplace is part of that customer journey.

When a customer finds your own website through Google, an advert, social media or a referral, the interaction is centred much more directly around your business.

That means you can build:

• brand recognition
• customer relationships
• repeat business
• referrals
• remarketing audiences where appropriate
• customer databases
• content
• SEO authority

over time.

That is the strategic advantage of developing your own acquisition channels.

Checkatrade Alternative: Build Your Own Lead Generation

If your search for:

“Checkatrade alternative”

is really driven by the desire to stop depending on paid marketplace leads, then another directory may not be the answer.

Your alternative could be:

Website + SEO + Google Business Profile + Ads + Reviews + Referrals

That is a different business model.

Instead of asking:

“Where can I buy another lead?”

you ask:

“How can customers find me directly?”

That shift can fundamentally change how you think about marketing.

How to Grow a Trade Business

Getting more jobs is only the first step.

Once the marketing starts working, you need to grow.

That could mean:

• hiring additional tradespeople
• increasing project sizes
• expanding into new areas
• improving margins
• specialising
• investing in better equipment
• improving customer service
• increasing repeat work

Marketing should support that strategy.

If you want £20,000 projects, your marketing should not be designed around attracting £200 jobs.

If you want to build a team, your lead volume needs to support that team.

If you want to remain a one-person business, you may need fewer but higher-quality enquiries.

Marketing must fit the business model.

The Importance of Targeting Profitable Services

One of the best questions a tradesperson can ask is:

“Which jobs do I actually want more of?”

For a roofer:

Maybe new roofs are more profitable than small repairs.

For a bathroom renovator:

Maybe complete renovations are more valuable than individual plumbing jobs.

For a kitchen fitter:

Maybe full kitchen installations are the priority.

For a contractor:

Maybe extensions and renovations are more valuable than small maintenance work.

Your marketing should reflect those priorities.

Why Breakloo’s Trade Focus Matters

A generic marketing agency might say:

“We build websites for businesses.”

That doesn’t necessarily demonstrate an understanding of how a roofer wins work.

A trade-focused proposition is different.

Breakloo is specifically positioned around:

roofers

bathroom renovators

kitchen fitters

contractors

and the objective:

get more jobs and grow your trade business.

That makes the marketing conversation much more commercially focused.

The question isn’t:

“Do you need a website?”

It is:

“Do you need more jobs?”

The website, SEO and advertising are tools used to help achieve that objective.

The Difference Between Selling Websites and Selling Growth

This distinction is important.

A website is a product.

But a trade business doesn’t ultimately want a website.

It wants:

• customers
• enquiries
• quotes
• jobs
• revenue
• profit
• growth

Therefore the website should be treated as part of the mechanism.

The same applies to SEO.

The trade business doesn’t want “SEO.”

It wants customers who find it through Google.

It doesn’t necessarily want “Facebook Ads.”

It wants profitable enquiries generated through Facebook.

It doesn’t want “lead generation.”

It wants jobs.

That is the mindset behind a jobs-focused trade marketing strategy.

A Better Way to Think About Trade Marketing

Instead of asking:

“Which platform should I join?”

ask:

1. Where are my customers searching?

Google?

Facebook?

Checkatrade?

Instagram?

Referrals?

2. What are they searching for?

Roof repairs?

Bathroom renovation?

Kitchen installation?

Extensions?

3. What convinces them?

Reviews?

Photographs?

Price?

Experience?

Qualifications?

4. What makes them enquire?

Phone?

Quote form?

WhatsApp?

Booking?

5. What makes them buy?

Trust?

Price?

Availability?

Professionalism?

6. How do I turn one customer into more customers?

Reviews?

Referrals?

Repeat work?

That is a complete marketing strategy.

Checkatrade vs Breakloo: Which One Should You Choose?

There isn’t a single answer for every business.

But there is a clear way to decide.

Choose Checkatrade if your priority is:

Access to an existing marketplace and potential customer enquiries.

Choose Breakloo if your priority is:

Getting more jobs through a dedicated trade-business marketing system involving websites, local SEO, ads and lead generation.

Consider both if:

You want immediate lead opportunities while building a stronger independent marketing engine.

That third option can be particularly attractive for established trades businesses.

Final Verdict: Checkatrade vs Breakloo

So, which is better?

If the question is:

“Which platform can put me in front of homeowners already looking for tradespeople?”

Checkatrade has a clear advantage because that is the role of its marketplace.

But if the question is:

“How can I build a system that helps my roofing, bathroom renovation, kitchen fitting or contracting business generate more jobs?”

then the comparison becomes much broader.

Breakloo is specifically built around that objective.

Its approach combines:

Websites

Local SEO

Ads

Lead generation

Marketing

VA support

to help:

Roofers

Bathroom renovators

Kitchen fitters

Contractors

across the UK get more jobs and grow their businesses.

That is fundamentally different from simply having a profile on a trade marketplace.

The Real Winner: A Marketing System That Produces Jobs

The best trade businesses don’t rely on one source of customers.

They build multiple channels.

A successful roofer might get enquiries from:

• Google
• Google Business Profile
• SEO
• paid advertising
• Checkatrade
• referrals
• Facebook
• previous customers

A bathroom renovator might get work from:

• local SEO
• website searches
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Google Ads
• recommendations
• previous customers

A kitchen fitter might get customers from:

• Google
• social media
• project photography
• SEO
• referrals
• advertising

A contractor might combine:

• SEO
• website enquiries
• Google Business Profile
• paid search
• referrals
• commercial relationships

The objective is not to find one magic source of leads.

It is to build a system where your business can consistently attract the right customers.

If You’re a Tradesperson Who Needs More Work, Start Here

Ask yourself five questions.

Question 1: Can customers find me?

If not, you have a visibility problem.

Question 2: Does my website make me look trustworthy?

If not, you have a credibility problem.

Question 3: Am I appearing when customers search locally?

If not, you have an SEO/local search problem.

Question 4: Am I generating enough enquiries?

If not, you have a lead-generation problem.

Question 5: Am I converting enquiries into jobs?

If not, you have a sales/follow-up problem.

Once you identify the problem, you can fix it.

Final Takeaway for Roofers, Bathroom Renovators, Kitchen Fitters and Contractors

If your only goal is to have a profile where homeowners can find you, a trade marketplace such as Checkatrade can be useful.

But if your ambition is bigger than that — if you want to get more jobs, build your brand, generate your own enquiries and grow your trade business — you should think beyond directories.

Build your own digital presence.

Build your website.

Build your local visibility.

Build your reviews.

Build your SEO.

Run advertising where it makes sense.

Generate enquiries.

Follow up quickly.

Track your numbers.

Turn customers into reviews.

Turn reviews into trust.

Turn completed jobs into case studies.

Turn customers into referrals.

And gradually build a marketing system that works for your business, rather than relying entirely on somebody else’s platform.

That’s where the biggest difference between Checkatrade and Breakloo lies.

Checkatrade is a marketplace where tradespeople can compete for customer demand.

Breakloo is built specifically to help roofers, bathroom renovators, kitchen fitters and contractors across the UK generate more jobs through websites, local SEO, ads, lead generation, marketing and support.

For a trade business that simply needs another source of enquiries, a marketplace can make sense.

For a trade business that wants to build a more complete customer acquisition system, a trade-focused growth partner can offer a fundamentally different approach.

And for many ambitious UK trades businesses, the strongest strategy may be to use established lead platforms where they produce profitable work while simultaneously building an independent marketing engine around their own business.

Because ultimately, the goal isn’t:

more leads.

The goal isn’t:

more website traffic.

The goal isn’t:

more clicks.

The goal isn’t even:

more enquiries.

The goal is:

More Jobs. More Customers. A Bigger Trade Business.

And that is what your marketing should be built to achieve.

FAQs: Checkatrade vs Breakloo

Is Breakloo a Checkatrade alternative?

Yes, if you’re looking for an alternative approach to generating work for your trade business. However, the two models are different. Checkatrade is a marketplace connecting consumers and tradespeople, while Breakloo is built specifically to help roofers, bathroom renovators, kitchen fitters and contractors generate more jobs through websites, local SEO, advertising, lead generation and marketing support.

What is better, Checkatrade or Breakloo?

It depends on your objective. Checkatrade may be useful if you want access to an established trade marketplace. Breakloo is designed for trade businesses that want a broader customer acquisition strategy involving their own website, local SEO, ads and lead generation.

Is Checkatrade worth it?

It can be worth it if the leads you receive turn into profitable jobs. The most important numbers to track are your cost per lead, cost per booked job, average job value and profit.

Is Breakloo good for roofers?

Breakloo is specifically positioned around helping roofers across the UK get more jobs using websites, local SEO, advertising and lead generation.

How can I get more customers as a roofer?

A strong strategy can include a professional roofing website, Google Business Profile, local SEO, genuine reviews, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, project photography, referrals and targeted lead generation.

How can I get more bathroom fitting jobs?

Focus your marketing around services customers actually search for, such as bathroom renovations, wet rooms, walk-in showers, ensuite bathrooms and complete bathroom installations. Combine local SEO, a strong website, advertising, reviews and lead generation.

How can I get more kitchen fitting jobs?

Use a combination of a professional kitchen fitting website, local SEO, Google Business Profile, project photography, social media, paid advertising and lead generation. Showcase real completed kitchens and make requesting a quote simple.

What is lead generation for tradesmen?

Lead generation for tradesmen is the process of attracting potential customers who may need services such as roofing, bathroom renovation, kitchen fitting, building or contracting. The ultimate goal is to turn suitable leads into paying customers.

Should I stop paying for leads?

Not necessarily. Instead, measure whether the leads are profitable. A good strategy can combine paid lead generation with SEO, your own website, Google Business Profile, advertising, referrals and repeat customers.

What are exclusive leads for roofers?

Exclusive leads generally refer to customer enquiries intended for a single roofing business rather than multiple businesses. However, always check the exact terms with the provider to understand how leads are distributed and what happens with unsuitable or invalid enquiries.

Is MyBuilder worth it?

It depends on your business, trade, location and conversion rate. Calculate how much you spend, how many suitable enquiries you receive, how many quotes you send and how many jobs you win. Compare the resulting customer acquisition cost with the profit generated.

Do tradesmen need a website?

A website can be an important part of a modern trade business because it provides a place to showcase services, reviews, projects, experience and contact information while supporting SEO and advertising.

How much does a builders website cost?

The cost varies considerably depending on design, functionality, number of pages, SEO, content, photography and ongoing support. More important than the initial price is whether the website helps generate and convert profitable enquiries.

What is local SEO for tradesmen?

Local SEO is the process of improving a trade business’s visibility when customers search for services in specific locations. Examples include “roofer Birmingham”, “bathroom fitter Wolverhampton” and “kitchen fitter near me.”

What is a Google Business Profile for tradesmen?

Google Business Profile allows businesses to manage information that can appear across Google Search and Maps. For local trades, it can be an important part of being discovered by nearby customers.

Do Facebook Ads work for roofers?

They can. Roofing is visual, making before-and-after photographs, project videos and problem-focused advertising potentially effective. However, campaigns need to be targeted and measured based on actual enquiries and jobs rather than clicks alone.

Do Facebook Ads work for builders?

They can work particularly well for visually compelling projects such as extensions, renovations, kitchens, landscaping and property transformations. The advertising should lead potential customers to a strong landing page or enquiry process.

What is the best marketing for tradesmen in the UK?

There isn’t one universal answer. A strong strategy can combine websites, local SEO, Google Business Profile, reviews, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, referrals, social media and lead generation.

How do I get more work as a tradesman?

Start by identifying where your existing customers come from, then strengthen the channels that generate profitable work. For many trades businesses, that can include Google, local SEO, a professional website, advertising, reviews, referrals and carefully selected lead-generation platforms.

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