Is MyBuilder worth it for tradespeople?
MyBuilder's fee is unusual: it scales with the size of the job instead of sitting at a flat rate. That makes the cost of losing a big job much higher than most tradespeople expect.
Quick answer
MyBuilder has no monthly fee and charges you when a homeowner shortlists you, officially from about 7 pounds, typically 5 to 35 for ordinary jobs. The catch is that the fee scales with job value, so large work costs far more to be shortlisted for, with tradespeople reporting shortlist fees in the hundreds on big jobs. The fee is non-refundable whether or not you win the work. In a competitive area you might spend 100 to 200 pounds in a month and win one or two jobs. That is workable on a strong conversion rate and expensive on a weak one, so your quote-to-win rate, not the headline fee, decides whether MyBuilder pays.
What a shortlist costs as a share of the job you are chasing
| Job value | Typical shortlist fee | Cost if you win 1 in 3 | As % of the job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 10 to 20 | 30 to 60 | About 10 to 20% |
| 1,200 | 30 to 60 | 90 to 180 | About 8 to 15% |
| 5,000 | 150 to 300 | 450 to 900 | About 9 to 18% |
| 10,000 | Several hundred | Over 1,000 | Around 10%+ |
Step-by-step
- 1
Understand what actually triggers the charge
You are not charged for browsing or for expressing interest. You are charged when the homeowner shortlists you, which means the cost lands after you have already invested time reading the job and writing a reply. Expressing interest in twenty jobs and being shortlisted on half can mean 100 to 300 pounds spent before you have won anything at all.
- 2
Recognise that the fee scales, and big jobs bite hardest
This is what separates MyBuilder from flat-rate lead platforms. A small job might cost a tenner to be shortlisted for, while a full bathroom or an extension can cost a great deal more, with tradespeople reporting several hundred pounds on large enquiries. Losing a big job therefore costs you real money, not just time, and that risk is concentrated exactly where you were hoping to make your margin.
- 3
Calculate on jobs won, not on shortlists
A 30 pound shortlist fee is meaningless in isolation. At a one-in-three conversion it is a 90 pound acquisition cost; at one in five it is 150. Track your actual rate for a month before deciding. Most tradespeople overestimate it substantially, and the gap between those two numbers is the argument.
- 4
Be selective in a competitive postcode
The platform rewards discrimination, not volume. In a dense area with many trades chasing the same work, bidding on everything is how you spend 200 pounds for one job. Pick the enquiries that match your actual specialism and location tightly, and ignore the rest even when the diary looks thin.
- 5
Reply fast and in detail, because you are paying for the slot
Once you are shortlisted you have already spent the money, so the only variable left is whether you convert. A specific reply that references the actual job beats a generic availability message by a wide margin. Treat every shortlist as something you bought and intend to use.
- 6
Build the free channel alongside it
Every job won through your own site, a recommendation or your Google listing costs nothing. MyBuilder makes most sense as a way to fill gaps while that pipeline builds, rather than as the permanent source of all your work. Tradespeople who never build the free channel stay on the platform's terms indefinitely.
Tips & best practices
- Track your quote-to-win rate for one month before judging the platform. Without it you are guessing at the only number that matters.
- The fee scaling with job size means a lost 5,000 pound job costs more than a lost 300 pound one. Price that risk into which large jobs you chase.
- Fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome, including when the homeowner never replies. Budget accordingly.
Common questions
How much does MyBuilder charge per lead?
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It charges per shortlist rather than per lead, officially from around 7 pounds and typically 5 to 35 for everyday jobs. The fee rises with job value, and tradespeople have reported shortlist fees in the hundreds on large work.
Is there a monthly subscription?
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No. MyBuilder has no monthly fee, which is the main structural difference from a directory like Checkatrade. You pay only when shortlisted, but you pay whether or not you win.
Do I get a refund if I do not win the job?
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No. Shortlist fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome, including where the homeowner stops responding. This is the most common source of frustration with the platform.
Is MyBuilder better than Checkatrade?
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They are different models rather than better or worse. Checkatrade is a membership you pay whether or not work comes; MyBuilder is pay-per-shortlist with no subscription. A quiet month costs you nothing on MyBuilder and the full fee on a membership.
Is it worth it for a new trade business?
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It can be, because it produces enquiries when you have no reputation and no reviews. Set a monthly ceiling you are comfortable losing, be selective about which jobs you chase, and review it against jobs actually won after sixty days.