MyBuilder vs Rated People vs Checkatrade for HVAC Engineers: Which Is Worth It?

Checkatrade has three tiers. Free is £0 a month and gives you a free profile to collect reviews. Approved is £30 a month. Growth has prices from £59 a month, set by your trade, the postcode areas you pick and the number of leads you want each year. Checkatrade's support page says Approved members do not appear in standard search results.

MyBuilder is free to join and you can respond to as many leads as you like. Its sign-up page says: "If you're shortlisted, we charge you a fee for the customer's contact details."

Rated People is now part of Checkatrade Group. Its help page says memberships are closed and its leads go to Checkatrade tradespeople.

For the full price comparison, including Bark, read what Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Bark and Rated People cost in 2026.

Emergency heating calls. A customer with no hot water wants someone today. A lead you pay for on MyBuilder reaches several engineers, so the model suits you only if you watch the platform all day. Customers in an emergency search Google and ring, so a complete Google Business Profile and a base of past customers bring more of this work than any directory.

Boiler replacement. A replacement is a large spend and customers compare quotes. Checkatrade's verified reviews and vetting give it a trust edge for this job. Which? Trusted Traders carries more weight still with careful buyers.

Heat pumps. Customers researching a heat pump, including those using the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, look for certified installers first. The MCS installer directory is the main route, and a listing comes with MCS certification.

Annual servicing. A service is a low-value job, so paying for a MyBuilder shortlist rarely works out. Win the customer once and offer a service contract.

Homeowners know to hire a Gas Safe registered engineer, so a visible registration number is the strongest trust signal an HVAC engineer has. Put your Gas Safe ID on quotes, invoices, your van and every platform profile, and point customers to the Gas Safe Register's public check. Insurers and housing associations also specify it as a minimum for contracts.

F-Gas certification is a legal requirement for handling refrigerants in cooling systems, and commercial clients look for it. MCS certification opens heat pump work under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Credentials also justify your rates, so price an engineer who holds Gas Safe, F-Gas and MCS accordingly.

HVAC engineers have lead sources most trades do not.

• Which? Trusted Traders assesses the whole business before listing, which makes it a strong credential for premium boiler replacement and heat pump work. Expect lower volume than Checkatrade and a slower sign-up.
• Boiler Guide is a heating-specific, pay-per-lead service, so its leads are better matched to boiler work than a general platform's. Ask it for its current terms before comparing.
• Worcester Bosch and Vaillant installer finders list accredited engineers for customers who have already chosen the product. Those customers are ready to book, and joining is usually cheaper than a platform subscription. Start with the manufacturer whose boilers you fit most.
• TrustMark gives a government-endorsed quality listing, which landlords and property managers sometimes require.

The strongest asset an HVAC engineer can build is a book of annual service contracts. A contract customer calls you first for a breakdown, refers neighbours, and brings you the boiler replacement when the time comes, none of which involves a platform fee. Offer a plan after every installation and first service, set it up by direct debit so renewal takes no effort, and text past customers each autumn before they shop around.

Commercial work follows the same logic. Facilities management firms, property managing agents and letting agents award planned and reactive maintenance directly, and getting onto an approved contractor list needs your F-Gas, Gas Safe or REFCOM credentials and insurance. One letting agent managing a block of properties is worth more than a stream of single enquiries. New build contractors subcontract heating installs, and LinkedIn reaches facilities and procurement managers directly.

Move spend away from platforms when most new enquiries cite Google, referrals or a direct call, your Google Business Profile shows in the local results for boiler searches, and you are booked weeks ahead without platform leads. Creating a business and being listed on Tradehand is free, there is no fee per lead, and Tradehand takes 5% of each payment taken through it, card fees included. Paid plans are optional: Paid plans from £19 a month, billed yearly.