Quick Answer
Both are free for homeowners, but Rated People charges tradespeople a credit (token) system to submit quotes — costs typically £5–£30 per quote depending on job size. GetQuickHelp is completely free for tradespeople, with no tokens, no subscription, and instant job alerts at zero cost.
Rated People is one of the UK's most recognised trade platforms, launched in 2005. Like MyBuilder, it uses a pay-per-lead model where homeowners post for free and tradespeople pay tokens to quote. The review system is well-established and the brand is widely trusted.
GetQuickHelp offers a different proposition: completely free for both homeowners and tradespeople. In this guide we break down exactly how the two platforms compare — and why the free model often wins for both sides.
In this comparison
How Rated People Works
Rated People is a quote-comparison marketplace. Homeowners post a job describing what they need. Tradespeople browse posted jobs and, if interested, purchase a "token" (credit) to submit a quote. Homeowners receive up to three quotes per job and can view tradesperson profiles, ratings, and reviews before choosing.
The model has a clear appeal for homeowners: you see quotes and reviews side-by-side before deciding. But the token cost for tradespeople creates economic friction that affects how the platform behaves — and ultimately affects homeowners too.
Rated People's Token System Explained
Tradespeople on Rated People buy tokens in advance. Each "Quote Request" costs a certain number of tokens. Token packs are typically sold in bundles of 10, 25, or 50, with the cost per token reducing slightly for larger bundles. Based on reported costs in 2025–2026:
| Job Category | Approx. Tokens Used | Approx. Cost (Rated People) | GetQuickHelp Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small handyman / repairs | 1–2 tokens | £5–£10 | £0 |
| Plumbing (dripping tap, leak fix) | 2–3 tokens | £8–£15 | £0 |
| Boiler service | 2–4 tokens | £10–£20 | £0 |
| New boiler installation | 4–6 tokens | £20–£30 | £0 |
| Electrician (fault find, EICR) | 3–5 tokens | £15–£25 | £0 |
| Full rewire | 5–8 tokens | £25–£40 | £0 |
| Bathroom refit | 5–8 tokens | £25–£40 | £0 |
| Extension / loft conversion | 6–10 tokens | £30–£50 | £0 |
A tradesperson actively quoting 3–5 jobs per week on Rated People typically spends £50–£150/week on tokens — roughly £2,500–£7,500 per year. And that's before accounting for unconverted leads, where the tradesperson pays the token cost whether or not the homeowner responds.
As with MyBuilder, tokens are non-refundable in most cases even if a homeowner never replies. This is a significant complaint raised by tradespeople on both platforms.
For Homeowners: Experience Compared
| Homeowner Experience | GetQuickHelp | Rated People |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to post a job | Free | Free |
| Account required | No | Yes (email registration) |
| Number of quotes you receive | Multiple (no limit) | Up to 3 per job |
| How quotes arrive | Tradespeople contact you directly | You see quotes on platform dashboard |
| Time to first contact | Hours (instant notifications) | 1–3 days |
| Can see reviews before choosing | Yes (tradesperson profiles) | Yes (well-established review system) |
| Spam protection | Cloudflare Turnstile + honeypots | Standard platform controls |
| Urgent job handling | Mark as urgent; instant alert sent | Standard timeline applies |
Rated People's capped three-quote system can be a disadvantage in areas where fewer tradespeople are active — you may receive only one or two quotes. GetQuickHelp's open matching alerts all matching tradespeople, so you're more likely to hear from multiple contacts regardless of how competitive your postcode area is.
For Tradespeople: Cost Compared
| Cost Factor | GetQuickHelp | Rated People |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Free | Free |
| Monthly / annual subscription | £0 | £0 (credits are the cost) |
| Cost per quote submitted | £0 | £5–£50 (tokens) |
| Refund if homeowner doesn't respond | N/A — no cost incurred | Generally non-refundable |
| Estimated annual cost (active tradesperson) | £0 | £2,500–£7,500+ |
| Access to job alerts | Free, instant by email | Paid tokens to quote |
| Maximum quotes per job (platform cap) | No cap | 3 tradespeople per job |
The financial impact on tradespeople is substantial. A sole trader plumber or electrician spending £3,000–£5,000/year on Rated People tokens needs to win enough jobs to justify that spend before making any profit. On GetQuickHelp, those same tradespeople receive the same job leads at zero cost — and can pass the saving on in their quotes, making them more competitive without sacrificing margin.
If you're a tradesperson looking for a free alternative, register on GetQuickHelp at no cost.
Review Systems Compared
Rated People has an established review system built over nearly two decades. Reviews are from homeowners who hired through the platform, and tradespeople build up profiles over years. Some tradespeople on Rated People have 500+ reviews — which is a genuine differentiator for homeowners trying to assess an unfamiliar tradesperson.
GetQuickHelp's review system is growing as the platform scales. Reviews come from genuine matched customers. The honest position is: Rated People currently has more review depth. But reviews on any platform should be supplemented with your own checks — read our guide on how to check if a tradesperson is qualified to verify Gas Safe registration, NICEIC membership, and other accreditations directly.
| Review Factor | GetQuickHelp | Rated People |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews from verified customers | Yes | Yes |
| Volume of existing reviews | Growing (newer platform) | Large (19+ years) |
| Review manipulation protection | Matched-job verified only | Platform verification system |
| Tradesperson response to reviews | Profile page | Yes — tradespeople can respond |
Full Comparison Table
| Factor | GetQuickHelp | Rated People | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free for homeowners | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Free for tradespeople | Yes | No — tokens required | GetQuickHelp |
| No account needed | Yes | No | GetQuickHelp |
| Speed of matching | Hours | 1–3 days | GetQuickHelp |
| Review volume / depth | Growing | Large (19 years) | Rated People |
| Trade qualification checks | Registration + manual verify | Profile + review system | Rated People (more established) |
| Quotes per job (cap) | No cap | 3 max | GetQuickHelp |
| Works well for urgent jobs | Yes | Slower | GetQuickHelp |
| Tradesperson financial pressure | None | Sunk cost per lead | GetQuickHelp |
Which Is Better?
For homeowners who want reviews from a long-established platform: Rated People has a deeper review database from nearly 20 years of operation. If you're finding a tradesperson for a significant project and want to read 50+ verified reviews before deciding, Rated People can provide that comfort.
For homeowners who want speed and simplicity: GetQuickHelp wins — no account, post in minutes, get contacts within hours. It also has no cap on how many tradespeople can respond, unlike Rated People's three-quote maximum.
For tradespeople: GetQuickHelp is the clear choice economically. Saving £3,000–£7,000/year in token costs is a substantial difference, particularly for sole traders and small businesses where margins are tight.
Post a job free — no tokens, no account
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Post a Job Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rated People charge homeowners?
No. Homeowners post jobs on Rated People for free. The fee model applies to tradespeople, who buy token credits to submit quotes.
How much does Rated People cost for tradespeople?
Rated People uses a token (credit) system. The cost per quote varies by job size — typically £5–£10 for small jobs up to £30–£50 for large projects. Active tradespeople quoting frequently typically spend £2,500–£7,500 per year on tokens.
Can tradespeople get a refund on unused tokens?
Generally, tokens spent to submit a quote are non-refundable even if the homeowner doesn't respond. Some platforms have partial refund policies for unresponsive homeowners — check Rated People's current terms as policies can change.
Is GetQuickHelp better than Rated People?
For speed and cost, yes. GetQuickHelp is faster (instant matching vs 1–3 days) and free for both sides. Rated People has an advantage in review depth from nearly 20 years of operation. The best approach is to use GetQuickHelp for quick matching, then do your own verification using trade registration checks.
How many quotes will I get on GetQuickHelp?
There's no cap. All tradespeople registered in your trade and postcode area are alerted when you post. The number of contacts depends on how many active tradespeople cover your area, but there's no artificial three-quote limit.