As a property owner, you may have considered using Checkatrade to find reliable tradespeople. After all, the platform has been widely advertised as a legitimate way to avoid rogue traders and shoddy workmanship. However, recent controversies and criticisms have cast doubt on the validity of Checkatrade’s claims. In this article, we will investigate and unpack some of the most commonly touted Checkatrade claims to determine whether they are accurate or misleading.
Checkatrade claims Checkatrade Claim 1: “All our members are fully vetted and approved”
This is one of Checkatrade’s primary selling points. The platform asserts that all of its members have undergone a rigorous vetting process before being cleared to join. However, some tradespeople who have attempted to register with Checkatrade have reported a lack of transparency around the vetting criteria. In some cases, individuals with criminal records have been able to join Checkatrade without their records being disclosed to potential customers.
Additionally, Checkatrade’s vetting process primarily involves verifying a member’s identity and insurance policies. While these are certainly important considerations, they do not necessarily guarantee the quality of a given trader’s workmanship or professionalism. As such, customers should take the “fully vetted and approved” claim with a grain of salt and do their own research before hiring a Checkatrade member.
Checkatrade claims Checkatrade Claim 2: “Our reviews are verified and trustworthy”
Another key selling point of Checkatrade is its review system. The platform encourages customers to leave feedback for tradespeople they have hired, and Checkatrade claims that these reviews are rigorously verified to ensure they are genuine and trustworthy. However, some users have questioned the validity of Checkatrade reviews, pointing out that the platform has been accused of deleting negative feedback and manipulating review scores.
Moreover, even if Checkatrade’s review system is functioning as intended, it still has limitations. A customer’s experience with a tradesperson is subjective, and a glowing review from one person may not accurately reflect the quality of that trader’s work. Additionally, some tradespeople have been accused of pressuring customers into leaving positive reviews, which could further skew the data.
Checkatrade claims Checkatrade Claim 3: “Our members are held accountable for their work”
Checkatrade promotes the idea that its members are accountable to the platform and its customers for the quality of their work. While this may be true to an extent, it is important to note that Checkatrade’s liability is limited. The platform itself only offers a limited guarantee on work carried out by its members, and it is ultimately up to customers to pursue legal action if they are unhappy with the services provided.
Furthermore, Checkatrade’s dispute resolution process has been criticized by some users for being slow and ineffective. In some cases, disputes have dragged on for months without resolution or restitution for customers. As such, while the platform may hold its members accountable in theory, customers should not rely solely on Checkatrade to resolve issues with tradespeople.
Checkatrade claims Checkatrade Claim 4: “We don’t charge tradespeople for leads”
Checkatrade has positioned itself as a customer-focused platform that does not charge tradespeople for leads. However, this claim has come under scrutiny in recent years. Some tradespeople have reported being charged for leads that did not result in work, or being offered lower-quality leads unless they paid for a premium membership.
Moreover, even if Checkatrade does not charge tradespeople directly for leads, the platform does make money through other means. Checkatrade generates revenue by selling advertising space to businesses and offering premium memberships to tradespeople. As such, it could be argued that the platform is still profiting from the tradespeople who use it to find work.
In conclusion, while Checkatrade may have some benefits for property owners looking for reliable tradespeople, it is important to approach the platform with a critical eye. Checkatrade’s claims about vetting, reviews, accountability, and pricing are not necessarily outright falsehoods, but they may be misleading or incomplete. Before hiring a Checkatrade member, customers should do their own research and take the platform’s claims with a grain of salt.