Bark promises "hot leads" and "instant bookings" - but for many tradespeople, the reality is different: expensive leads, cold contacts and more chasing than converting.
If you've spent time (and money) on Bark only to wonder where the return is, you're not alone.
In this article, we'll explore some alternatives that give you more control, better value and a smarter way to grow your trade business.
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Why Tradespeople Are Frustrated with Bark
On paper, Bark looks like a dream: you tell them what jobs you want, and they send leads. But in practice:
- You pay per lead - not per job: That “hot lead” may have already spoken to 5 other companies.
- Lead quality is inconsistent: There are lots of reports on forums online of leads never answering or aren’t actually looking to hire.
- It gets expensive - fast: There’s no cap. You can burn through your budget in a day without booking a single job.
If you're tired of feeling like you're "just another listing," here are some alternatives worth considering.
Alternatives to Bark
1. Rated People
How it works:
- Monthly fee and buy credits to bid on jobs posted by homeowners.
Pros:
- More control — only pay for jobs you want
- Easy to browse available work
Cons:
- Rated people sell the same lead to up to 3 companies
- Monthly fee up to £200+
- Credits can go fast with little return at prices of £65+
- Some reviews from tradespeople reporting multiple leads never answer the phone
Reviews:
- 4.3 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- 2.0 ⭐ on Google Reviews
2. MyBuilder
How it works:
- Homeowners choose from interested tradespeople.
Pros:
- Free to express interest
- Review system builds trust
Cons:
- You pay up to £50+ if shortlisted by a property — but still no guarantee of the job
- You're bundled in to compete against multiple other businesses (reports of 8+ businesses quoting for the same job)
Reviews:
- 4.5 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- 3.7 ⭐ on Google Reviews
3. Checkatrade
How it works:
- Pay a monthly fee and get matched with leads - can also top up with credits.
Pros:
- Quick to start
- Works for many industries
- Strong brand awareness
Cons:
- Many leads are poor quality - Some reviews from tradespeople reporting multiple leads never answer the phone and questioning legitimacy
- Leads are sold or available to multiple businesses
- Monthly fees can be £80–£150+ even if you don’t win any jobs.
Reviews:
- 4.6 ⭐ on TrustPilot
- ❌ No Review page found on Google
4. HomeBuyerLeads
How it works:
You see a list of recently purchased properties in your local area, updated every month.
Use this to get letters through the door of the homeowner shortly after they move in, at a point when they spend the most money on improvements but before they've started Googling quotes or put a job out on Checkatrade.
Pros:
- Be first through the door
- Reach homeowners spending an average of £30k on improvements
- 80% open rate using physical mail
- Zero competition as leads aren't shared
- No social media, no pay-per-lead nonsense – Just consistent, qualified opportunities delivered monthly.
Cons:
- You're responsible for sending the letters. Some tradespeople handwrite envelopes and sign each letter for maximum impact.
- Outreach is self-managed, You do the follow-up and quoting, not us. That's how we keep the cost low and leads exclusive.
Pricing: £30/month per postcode district plus postage fees
With the appointments I've got booked, it's pushing me to start thinking about taking on a team of installers... It's obvious it works.
Final Verdict
Most tradespeople try everything — job sites, ads, Instagram, referrals. But the problem is always the same:
You're either paying to compete with everyone else or don't know who you're getting in front of.
HomeBuyerLeads flips that.
- You get the addresses of properties most likely to spend
- You reach them before your competitors
- You establish yourself as the go-to tradesperson in your area
- You build your own lead engine