Honest Comparison
Pay-per-lead bidding vs exclusive Google enquiries. See which delivers better ROI for UK tradespeople in 2026.
Updated March 2026
MyBuilder gets you jobs quickly through pay-per-lead bidding, but you compete on price, manage it constantly, and build zero long-term value.
TradesBooked builds you a Google presence that delivers 100% exclusive leads. It takes 30-90 days, but the leads are higher quality, you own the asset, and costs stay flat as volume grows.
| Feature | TradesBooked | MyBuilder |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | £297/month flat fee | £10-£50+ per lead (credits) |
| Lead exclusivity | 100% exclusive — only you | Auction — bid against others |
| Ownership | You own your website & rankings | Nothing — pay per lead forever |
| Time investment | Set and forget | Constant bidding & management |
| Lead quality | High — actively searching | Variable — often price shopping |
| Price competition | None — you set prices | Race to the bottom on quotes |
| Time to results | 30-90 days | Immediate |
| Long-term value | Asset grows over time | Zero — starts over daily |
You bid credits to contact leads, competing against other tradespeople. Customers often compare quotes and pick the cheapest — quality matters less than price.
MyBuilder requires daily monitoring, quick responses to new leads, and constant bidding management. Miss a lead and you have wasted the opportunity.
Every lead costs money. Stop paying and leads stop. After years of spending, you own nothing — no website, no rankings, no recurring benefit.
Every enquiry comes directly to you. No bidding, no competing, no auction system.
Your Google presence works 24/7. No daily bidding, no credit management, no constant monitoring.
Your website and rankings belong to you. Stop paying and you still keep everything.
Flat monthly fee regardless of lead volume. The more you grow, the better your ROI.
MyBuilder can get you work, but you are constantly bidding against other tradespeople for the same jobs. Lead quality varies wildly, and there is no long-term benefit — you pay per lead forever with nothing to show for it.
MyBuilder uses a credit system where leads cost £10-£50+ depending on the job size and competition. Larger jobs in busy areas can cost significantly more. You buy credits upfront and spend them bidding on jobs.
Bidding creates a race to the bottom. Customers often choose the cheapest quote, meaning you either win on price (reducing profit) or lose to someone cheaper. Your quality and reputation matter less than your bid price.
With proper local SEO, most tradespeople see first enquiries within 14-30 days and consistent leads by 90 days. Unlike MyBuilder, these leads are 100% exclusive and you own the asset that generates them.
Yes — many trades use MyBuilder for quick jobs while building their Google presence. The goal is to reduce reliance on paid leads as your organic presence grows, eventually stopping MyBuilder entirely.
Stop bidding for leads. Build a Google presence that delivers enquiries only to you.
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