Rated People vs MyBuilder: Which is Better for Tradespeople?

When it comes to finding work as a tradesperson, Rated People and MyBuilder are two of the most popular platforms in the UK. Both connect homeowners with skilled professionals, but they operate differently. In this guide, we’ll compare Rated People vs MyBuilder, highlight their pricing models, and discuss why Buildela remains the best alternative.

Published: 01 Jan, 2025
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What is Rated People?

Rated People is a UK-based platform where homeowners post jobs, and tradespeople can purchase leads to apply for those jobs. It operates on a pay-per-lead system, meaning tradespeople pay to access job details and submit a quote, regardless of whether they win the job.

How It Works
  1. Homeowners post job requests.
  2. Tradespeople purchase access to job leads.
  3. Multiple tradespeople apply for the same job, but only one will win the work.
Membership & Fees
  • Free to join, but tradespeople must pay for each lead.
  • Lead costs typically range from £10 to £50 per job, depending on job type and demand.
  • Fierce competition means you pay to apply but may not secure the job.
Who It’s For?
  • Small businesses and independent tradespeople looking for flexible, lead-based opportunities.

What is MyBuilder?

MyBuilder is another UK-based platform where homeowners post jobs, and tradespeople apply for those jobs. However, instead of paying per lead upfront, tradespeople only pay when they are shortlisted.

How It Works
  1. Homeowners post job requests.
  2. Tradespeople express interest in jobs for free.
  3. Homeowners shortlist tradespeople they want to contact.
  4. Shortlisted tradespeople must pay a lead fee, regardless of whether they win the job.

What Does Shortlisting Mean on MyBuilder?

Shortlisting is when a homeowner selects a tradesperson they’re interested in hiring. Once a tradesperson is shortlisted, they can contact the homeowner and discuss the job.

However, shortlisting does not guarantee that you will win the job—it simply means the homeowner is considering you.

Membership & Fees
  • Free to join, but tradespeople must pay a lead fee when shortlisted.
  • Lead fees range from £7 to £50, depending on job size and type.
  • Your account can go negative if you get shortlisted frequently but don’t secure jobs.
Who It’s For?
  • Tradespeople looking to build trust through verified customer reviews.

Rated People vs MyBuilder: Key Differences

Feature Rated People MyBuilder
Cost to Join Free, but pay per lead Free, but pay when shortlisted
Lead Generation Model Pay-per-lead Pay-per-shortlist
Job Competition Fierce—multiple tradespeople bid per job Homeowners select tradespeople before charging
Lead Fees £10-£50 per lead £7-£50 per lead
Risk of Paying Without Winning the Job High—you pay even if you don’t win the job High—shortlisted tradespeople pay even if they don’t secure the work
Customer Reviews No verification process Verified customer reviews

The Problem with Pay-Per-Lead Platforms

While Rated People and MyBuilder offer tradespeople access to job opportunities, both charge you for applying, even if you don’t secure the job. Here’s why that’s risky:

1. No Guarantee of Winning the Job
  • On Rated People, multiple tradespeople pay for the same job, but only one person gets hired.
  • On MyBuilder, shortlisted tradespeople pay, even if they are not chosen.
2. Costs Add Up Quickly
  • If you apply for 5 jobs at £20 per leads, you’ll spend £100, with no guarantee of earning anything.
  • MyBuilder lead fees range from £7 to £50—if you get shortlisted multiple times but don’t win jobs, your account can run negative.
3. Competitive Bidding Wars
  • Since Rated People and MyBuilder allow multiple tradespeople to apply for the same job, prices get driven down. You pay to compete, but may still lose to a lower bidder.

Bottom Line: You’re paying for access to jobs, but you’re not paying for guaranteed work.


Why Buildela is the Better Alternative

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If you’re tired of paying for leads without a guarantee of winning jobs, Buildela is the best alternative. Unlike Rated People and MyBuilder, Buildela is completely free—no lead fees, no bidding wars, and no hidden charges.

Why Choose Buildela?
  • ✅ 100% Free for Tradespeople ✔ No lead fees, no subscription fees, no hidden charges.
  • ✅ No Risk of Losing Money ✔ Unlike Rated People & MyBuilder, you don’t pay unless you win the job.
  • ✅ No Bidding Wars ✔ Get direct job leads instead of competing against multiple tradespeople.
  • ✅ Target Multiple Trades & Locations ✔ Apply for multiple trades & locations under one free account.
  • ✅ Vetting Process ✔ Qualified tradespeople only, ensuring trust between professionals and homeowners.

Potential Savings with Buildela

By switching to Buildela, you could save hundreds of pounds per month compared to Rated People & MyBuilder.

Platform Estimated Monthly Cost Annual Cost Annual Savings with Buildela
Rated People £10-£50 per lead (avg. £250/month) £3,000 £3,000 saved per year
MyBuilder £7-£50 per lead (avg. £200/month) £2,400 £2,400 saved per year
Buildela £0 £0 £0 saved—completely free!

Switching to Buildela means you could save up to £3,000 per year, while still receiving high-quality job leads for free.

Rated People vs MyBuilder

Both platforms are free to join, but you must pay for each lead or shortlist.

  • MyBuilder may offer higher-quality jobs due to customer reviews, but lead fees still apply.
  • Rated People provides more job postings, but fierce competitions means you pay for a lead without securing the job.

  • Rated People lets you choose your trades, but each lead costs money.
  • MyBuilder allows bidding in multiple categories, but shortlist fees apply.
  • Buildela lets you apply for multiple trades and locations—for free.

  • ✔ No lead fees
  • ✔ No bidding wars
  • ✔ Unlimited job leads for free

Final Verdict: Why Buildela is the Best Choice

While Rated People and MyBuilder offer valuable services, the pay-per-lead model is risky—you pay for leads, but may never win the job. With Buildela, you get unlimited free job leads, no bidding wars, and zero risk of losing money.

🚀 Join Buildela Today and get free, high-quality job leads with no hidden costs! 🚀