Looking for a TrustATrader alternative?
How TrustATrader works for trades, and how we work
A yearly membership with no per-lead fees. Here is how that works, taken from TrustATrader's own pages and linked so you can check, next to how Hard Hat Way works. For their current prices, see their pricing page. Then decide what suits your business.
How TrustATrader works for trades
- TrustATrader charges a yearly membership fee. You apply and they quote you. TrustATrader FAQs
- It says members never pay for leads and pay no commission. TrustATrader: join us
- Memberships are limited per trade in each area. TrustATrader: join us
- To join you need at least 5 references, 2 years in the trade, insurance and any qualifications the law requires. TrustATrader FAQs
- Only registered customers can leave reviews, and low scores are investigated before they go live. TrustATrader FAQs
Checked on 26 September 2026. Terms change, so check TrustATrader's own pages, including its current prices, before you decide. If anything here is out of date, email support@hardhatway.com and we will correct it.
Side by side
TrustATrader vs Hard Hat Way
| Feature | Hard Hat Way | TrustATrader |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Free, or Pro £12.99 a month (£99.99 a year), VAT included | Yearly membership, quoted on application |
| Per-lead fee | None. You never pay to see or reply to a job | None |
| Refunds | If a customer never opens your quote, the quote slot comes back | Pro-rata if removed after a complaint |
| Contract | None. Monthly or yearly, cancel any time | Yearly fee |
| Who rates you | Other trades rate your posted work; customers rate finished jobs | Registered customer reviews, checked |
Where TrustATrader is strong
TrustATrader does not charge per lead, limits members in each area and checks references before you join.
What you get here
Written down, and it stays that way
Free to start, and it stays free
3 quotes on posted jobs a month, unlimited direct requests from customers who find your profile, and the community side. No card needed.
Pro is £12.99 a month, flat
Unlimited quotes on posted jobs, Job Radar alerts and branded ProQuote PDFs. The same price whatever your trade or area.
No lead fees, ever
You never pay to see a job or to reply to one, and you are told when a customer chooses someone else.
Rated by your own trade
Your standing comes from other trades judging the work you post, and every customer rating is tied to a finished job.
Meet the founder
22 years on the trowel. No investors. No boardroom.
Stu Crompton is a bricklayer from Wigan with 1.6 million followers who watch him lay bricks properly. He paid the directories, got nothing back, and taught himself to code. Hard Hat Way went live on the App Store after 114 days and on Android 25 days later: 139 consecutive days, between shifts.
“I built this for customers who want a proper job, and for trades who take pride in what they do. Nothing less.”
Straight answers
How does TrustATrader charge tradespeople?
A yearly membership fee, quoted when you apply. It says members never pay for leads and pay no commission.
Does TrustATrader charge per lead?
No. It says members never pay for leads. The cost is the yearly membership. Hard Hat Way has no lead fees either, and Pro is monthly or yearly with no contract.
Is Hard Hat Way a TrustATrader alternative for trades?
Yes, for trades who want work without lead fees or a contract. Customers post jobs free, trades near them are told, and you quote with a starting price. Free covers three quotes a month on posted jobs; Pro at £12.99 a month makes it unlimited. You can use both at once if you like.
Other comparisons: Checkatrade · MyBuilder · Bark · Rated People
TrustATrader is operated by Trustatrader.com Ltd. TrustATrader is a trademark of its owner. Hard Hat Way is not connected with, endorsed by or sponsored by TrustATrader. Details are taken from the public pages linked above on 26 September 2026 and are given in good faith; they may have changed since.
Free to join. No lead fees.
Three quotes a month on the house. Upgrade when it pays for itself.