Stop paying for leads you might never win. There’s a much better way for UK tradesmen in 2026 – and it’s called owning your own 4-postcode territory.
If you’re still using Rated People, buying leads at £20–£65 each (or even their new Unlimited plan), you’re not alone. Thousands of plumbers, electricians, builders and roofers are waking up to the fact that the old pay-per-lead model has stopped delivering value.
Here’s exactly why Rated People no longer makes financial sense… and how Find A Trade is giving tradesmen real results instead of constant spending.
Why Rated People Used to Be Good Value… But Isn’t Anymore
A few years ago, Rated People was simple: low monthly fee + pay for leads as you needed them.
Today the reality has changed dramatically:
- Basic subscription starts at £35 + VAT/month (includes limited credit)
- Individual leads now cost £20–£65 + VAT each (even small jobs)
- Every lead is sold to up to 3 different trades – you’re still competing
- Their new “Unlimited” plan still means multiple trades see the same jobs
- No guarantee you’ll win the work – and refunds are hard to get
- Many tradesmen report wasting hundreds every month on tyre-kickers and jobs already taken
You end up paying more and more… just to fight other trades for the same customer. The old “cheap leads” model is no longer good value in 2026.
The New Way: Own Your 4-Postcode Territory with Find A Trade
Instead of buying shared leads, own the market.
Find A Trade gives you something Rated People never will: Your own exclusive 4-postcode patch where you are the only [your trade] allowed.
Here’s how it works:
- We lock your chosen 4 postcodes (e.g. LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4)
- Only ONE tradesperson per trade is allowed in that zone
- Every local customer searching sees only you
- Your competitors are completely blocked out
- You get a simple dashboard that turns every lead into an organised job (no more lost voicemails or scraps of paper)
No per-lead fees. No competing. No wasted money. Just your neighbourhood… owned by you.
Real Tradesman Story: Meet Mike the Plumber
Mike was a typical plumber in Leeds. He was on Rated People, spending £400–£600 a month on leads and still only winning a fraction of them.
After switching to Find A Trade he locked 4 postcodes. Within weeks:
- Every local customer saw only him
- Leads came straight into his dashboard
- He stopped competing on price and started booking real jobs
He went from “hoping for work” to waking up booked solid – without the monthly lead roulette.
That’s the difference between buying shared leads and owning your territory.
Rated People vs Find A Trade – Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Rated People | Find A Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £35+/month + £20–£65 per lead (or Unlimited) | From £599/month (fixed, no extras) £300 Ad Spend |
| Leads | Shared with up to 3 other trades | Exclusive – only you in your 4 post code zone |
| Competition | You fight for every job | Competitors locked out |
| Control | Buy leads and hope | Full dashboard + instant replies |
| Feeling | Constant spending & chasing | Owning your local market |
Ready to Stop Wasting Money on Shared Leads?
It takes just 30 seconds to see if your 4 postcodes are still available.
👉 [CHECK IF YOUR 4-POSTCODE TERRITORY IS STILL FREE]
Choose the package that fits you:
- Starter – The Local Hero (£599/mo) £300 Ad Spend
- Growth – Best Seller (£899/mo) £500 Ad Spend
- Domination – Full market ruler (£1,299/mo) £800 Ad Spend
All include your 4-postcode lockout + the Lead Manager dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Find A Trade really better than Rated People? Yes. You pay one fixed monthly fee and get monopoly access to your area instead of competing on every lead.
Do I still pay per lead? No – never. All leads in your territory come to you automatically.
What if my postcodes are taken? We’ll show you instantly and suggest the nearest available zones.
Can I cancel anytime? Yes – month-to-month, no long contracts.
Final Word
2026 is the year smart tradesmen stop paying for shared leads and start owning their patch.
Rated People had its time. Now it’s time to own your territory.
Drop your trade in the comments or click below to claim your area before your competitor does.