Relevant competence
The business holds the accreditation and qualifications required for the regulated or specialist work it undertakes.
Standards deserve recognition
Credibility starts with evidence
Reputable trade businesses earn trust through competent work, clear communication and accountability. TradeWatch helps those businesses demonstrate their standards while giving homeowners a more informed way to choose who they contact.
Recognition is not based on paid advertising. It begins with checks on the accreditations and qualifications relevant to the work a business carries out, followed by ongoing checks after approval.
2,400+tradespeopleacross the TradeWatch network
24–48hoursusual application vetting time
Everyenquiryphoned before it is released
Professional standards
What reputable businesses demonstrate
Clear written information
Quotes explain the scope, price, timetable and payment stages, with changes agreed before additional work begins.
Reliable communication
Customers know who is attending, when to expect them and how delays or problems will be handled.
Safe working practices
Hazards are assessed, suitable controls are used and the site is managed with care for customers, workers and the public.
Accountability
Questions and complaints are answered professionally, records are retained and reasonable concerns are not ignored.
Respect for feedback
The business invites honest reviews, learns from criticism and protects the customer’s private information.
TradeWatch approval
How the checking process works
The TradeWatch Approved badge is backed by an application process and ongoing checks.
- 1
Submit an application
Tell TradeWatch about the business, the services it provides and the accreditations relevant to its work.
- 2
Speak with the team
The customer service team contacts the applicant and explains the information needed to complete the checks.
- 3
Verify qualifications and accreditations
TradeWatch checks the evidence on every application, including schemes such as Gas Safe, NICEIC or NAPIT, FENSA or Certass, OZEV, HETAS, NSI or SSAIB and TrustMark where relevant.
- 4
Complete the vetting
Most applications are vetted within 24 to 48 hours. The Approved badge is for businesses accepted through this process.
- 5
Continue the checks
Each month, 30% of businesses receive ID and insurance checks. Accreditation is checked again whenever a new lead bundle is purchased, and anyone who fails the checks is removed.
Business opportunities
How TradeWatch supports credible tradespeople
Verified customer enquiries
The customer service team phones every homeowner enquiry before it is released to a trade business.
Controlled lead sharing
Gold leads go to one business, Silver leads to two and Bronze leads to three. Promotion leads are exclusive.
Visible Approved status
The Approved badge gives homeowners a clear sign that the business has completed the TradeWatch application checks.
Directory discovery
The Safe Trades Directory lets homeowners search listed businesses by trade category and town.
Customer feedback
TradeWatch sends a feedback form and Trustpilot link after every lead, creating a consistent route for customers to share their experience.
Practical guidance
Best-practice resources help trade businesses strengthen job planning, communication, safety and customer care.
Recognition with substance
Approved status is not paid advertising
TradeWatch does not sell advertising. A business is not presented as reputable simply because it has paid to appear.
The focus is on relevant accreditation, application checks, ongoing verification and feedback from real customer enquiries. This gives credible businesses a clearer way to demonstrate their standards without making promises about the outcome of every job.
Explore TradeWatch
Useful information for trade businesses
For trade businesses
Join TradeWatch
Reputable, accredited tradespeople can apply to join. Most applications are vetted within 24 to 48 hours.
TradeWatch Approved status confirms that the stated checks have been completed. It is not a guarantee of the outcome of a particular job, and homeowners should still verify the accreditation needed for their work and agree the scope, price and payment terms in writing.