Quick Answer
GetQuickHelp is free for both homeowners and tradespeople. MyBuilder is free for homeowners but tradespeople pay per lead — typically £3–£30 per quote they submit. This per-lead model creates incentives that don't always work in homeowners' favour, and costs tradespeople thousands annually.
MyBuilder is one of the UK's longest-running tradesperson platforms, founded in 2004. The concept was simple: homeowners post jobs, tradespeople pay to submit quotes. In 20+ years, that basic model hasn't changed much — but the problems with it have become more visible.
GetQuickHelp launched with a different premise: what if both sides of the transaction were genuinely free? No lead fees, no credits, no subscription. Just instant matching. This comparison breaks down every meaningful difference between the two platforms.
In this comparison
The Fundamental Model Difference
The core difference between GetQuickHelp and MyBuilder is who pays and when.
MyBuilder operates a pay-per-lead model. Homeowners post jobs free. Tradespeople browse posted jobs and pay a credit to "shortlist" themselves — essentially paying to express interest. If a homeowner selects up to four tradespeople to quote, those tradespeople have already paid for the privilege of being selected, before a single quote is given or accepted.
GetQuickHelp operates a free matching model. Homeowners post jobs free. Tradespeople register free. When a matching job is posted, relevant tradespeople are alerted instantly at no cost. Nobody pays to express interest or submit a quote.
MyBuilder's Lead Fee System Explained
MyBuilder uses a credit system. Tradespeople buy credits in advance (typically sold in bundles), then spend credits to shortlist themselves for jobs. The cost per lead varies by job type and value:
| Job Type | Approximate Lead Cost (MyBuilder) | GetQuickHelp Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman / small repairs | £3–£6 per lead | £0 |
| Plumbing — minor (dripping tap, leak) | £5–£10 per lead | £0 |
| Boiler service / installation | £10–£20 per lead | £0 |
| Electrical work (rewire, consumer unit) | £10–£20 per lead | £0 |
| Extension / loft conversion | £20–£35 per lead | £0 |
| Kitchen or bathroom refit | £15–£30 per lead | £0 |
| Full house renovation | £25–£40+ per lead | £0 |
A tradesperson quoting on 3 jobs per week spends £30–£120/week on leads — £1,500–£6,000 per year — and that's assuming every lead converts to at least a quote. Many leads don't convert. Homeowners post jobs, receive quotes, and then don't respond, leaving the tradesperson out of pocket for the lead cost.
This is one of the most common complaints about MyBuilder from tradespeople: paying for leads that go nowhere. For homeowners, this dynamic can create pressure — tradespeople who've paid for a lead have a financial incentive to follow up aggressively.
Cost and Experience for Homeowners
Both platforms are free for homeowners to post jobs. The difference is in the experience:
| Homeowner Experience | GetQuickHelp | MyBuilder |
|---|---|---|
| Account required | No | Yes (email registration) |
| How you receive quotes | Tradespeople contact you directly | You select up to 4 from shortlist |
| Number of quotes possible | Multiple (no cap) | Up to 4 tradespeople per job |
| Response time | Hours (instant alert) | 1–3 days typically |
| Tradesperson contacts you proactively | Yes | You choose who quotes first |
| Spam / unwanted calls protection | Cloudflare Turnstile on all forms | Standard platform controls |
MyBuilder's model of letting you "select" four tradespeople to quote has some appeal — you review profiles before letting people contact you. But it adds friction and time. On GetQuickHelp, you don't need to review anyone upfront; you describe your job, and tradespeople who are genuinely available and interested contact you directly.
Cost and Experience for Tradespeople
The economics for tradespeople are starkly different:
| Tradesperson Cost | GetQuickHelp | MyBuilder |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Free | Free |
| Annual subscription | £0 | £0 (but credit costs apply) |
| Cost per lead submitted | £0 | £3–£40 depending on job value |
| Cost if homeowner doesn't respond | £0 (no cost incurred) | Lead cost still charged |
| Typical annual spend (active tradesperson) | £0 | £1,500–£6,000+ |
| Guaranteed lead delivery | Yes (free alerts for matching jobs) | You pay and hope the homeowner responds |
Quote Quality and the Incentive Problem
There's a subtle but important problem with pay-per-lead models: they create a misaligned incentive for quantity over quality.
On MyBuilder, a tradesperson who pays for a lead is financially motivated to submit a quote regardless of whether the job is actually right for them. Tradespeople sometimes submit lowball quotes to win the job, then adjust the price once on site. They also feel more pressure to follow up repeatedly because the lead cost creates a "sunk cost" feeling.
On GetQuickHelp, there's no financial pressure to quote on jobs that aren't right. Tradespeople contact you because the job genuinely matches their trade, location, and availability — not because they've already paid to be in the running. This tends to produce more considered, honest quotes.
For guidance on comparing quotes, see our guide on how to get multiple quotes for home work.
Speed of Response
MyBuilder jobs typically take 24–72 hours to attract enough shortlisted tradespeople. You then need to select your four, and each tradesperson needs to arrange a visit or call to produce a quote. The full process from posting to having three quotes in hand often takes a week or more.
On GetQuickHelp, tradespeople are alerted the moment a matching job is posted. Most homeowners receive their first contact within hours. For genuinely urgent jobs — a burst pipe, a boiler breakdown — this difference is significant. Our guide on finding an emergency plumber explains when this speed matters most.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | GetQuickHelp | MyBuilder | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free for homeowners | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Free for tradespeople | Yes | No — pay per lead | GetQuickHelp |
| No account needed (homeowner) | Yes | No — email required | GetQuickHelp |
| Response speed | Hours | 1–3 days | GetQuickHelp |
| Review depth | Growing | Well-established | MyBuilder |
| Tradesperson vetting | Registration + manual verify | Profile + review system | MyBuilder (more history) |
| Incentive alignment | No financial pressure on trades | Sunk cost pressure to quote | GetQuickHelp |
| Spam protection | Cloudflare Turnstile + honeypots | Standard | GetQuickHelp |
| Works for urgent jobs | Yes (instant alerts) | Slow for emergency work | GetQuickHelp |
Verdict: Which Is Better?
For homeowners: GetQuickHelp is faster, simpler, and requires no account. MyBuilder has a larger established review base which can be useful for comparing unfamiliar tradespeople.
For tradespeople: GetQuickHelp is clearly better economically — no lead costs means higher margins and no financial pressure on every single quote. Particularly for newer tradespeople starting out, the absence of upfront costs is significant. Join GetQuickHelp free as a tradesperson.
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Post your job on GetQuickHelp — no account, no fees. Matched tradespeople contact you in hours.
Post a Job Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does MyBuilder charge homeowners?
No — homeowners post jobs on MyBuilder for free. The charges apply to tradespeople who pay credits to shortlist themselves for jobs.
How much does MyBuilder cost for tradespeople?
MyBuilder uses a credit system. Credits are bought in advance and spent when shortlisting for jobs. Typical lead costs range from £3 for small jobs to £35+ for larger projects. An active tradesperson quoting 3–5 jobs per week can spend £2,000–£6,000+ per year on lead credits.
Is GetQuickHelp really free for tradespeople?
Yes. GetQuickHelp charges nothing to register, nothing per lead, and has no monthly subscription. Tradespeople receive instant email alerts when matching jobs are posted. There are no credits or tiers.
Which platform has better reviews?
MyBuilder has been collecting reviews since 2004 and some tradespeople have hundreds of customer reviews. GetQuickHelp is newer and its review base is growing. For review depth, MyBuilder currently has the advantage.
Can I use both platforms?
Yes. Posting on GetQuickHelp and also listing on MyBuilder as a tradesperson is not exclusive. Using both increases visibility. For homeowners, you can post on GetQuickHelp and also check MyBuilder profiles to compare reviews.