Is it worth signing up to checkatrade as a tree surgeon?

[Coretrees]

Hi there

I’m thinking of getting a checkatrade profile to get some extra tree work in. As I have a contract already with an estate.However the prices are high so is it worth it? Does anyone use this and get much work from it?
 

many thanks 

Corey 

[sime42]

I'd say no, it's not worth it. I think Checkatrade, and similar schemes, are set up more as a service to benefit the customer rather than the tradesman.

 

Speculating here, but I reckon most work comes via word of mouth, personal recommendation, if you've got a good. reputation already. For domestic stuff at least.

 

 

[Clutchy]

Another No vote from me 

[AHPP]

Common question on here. Summary is most people have found them worse than useless.

[Anno]

Do what most people around here do, get out of your caravan, go to printers, feed them lies about qualifications and sort out a made up address, get them to print some flyers, bomb every house in any given area then just pitch up and butcher what tree you like and rip the customer off financially while a 14 year old absconding school stands in the business end of a chipper in white traing shoes with no PPE.

Boils my piss.

[Steven P]

Word of mouth and visibility helps more. Go out in a white transit with no advertising logo on the side you won't get noticed, but have a fully liveried van, park up for morning coffee where the school run mums walk past, have business cards ready to hand out, use a real phone number - even if just for an answer machine plus a mobile, a simple website... can all help

 

I can name about 3 or 4 local tree surgeons just from seeing them out and about in their vans, no need to look them up.

 

However for what you are describing, letter boxing with some leaflets could help, but word of mouth when you start getting more work in

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, Steven P said:

Word of mouth and visibility helps more. Go out in a white transit with no advertising logo on the side you won't get noticed, but have a fully liveried van, park up for morning coffee where the school run mums walk past, have business cards ready to hand out, use a real phone number - even if just for an answer machine plus a mobile, a simple website... can all help

 

I can name about 3 or 4 local tree surgeons just from seeing them out and about in their vans, no need to look them up.

 

However for what you are describing, letter boxing with some leaflets could help, but word of mouth when you start getting more work in

Thing is when you are all lit up like that the " do as you likeys " can follow you back to your yard ...

[Steven P]

This is true... that is another issue... but one to consider also. 

[GarethM]

19 minutes ago, Steven P said:

This is true... that is another issue... but one to consider also. 

Think most locals know where you're yards are anyways. It's those fly-by-nights we'd like to know where their yards are!.

[Steven P]

...any layby generally (reports on the news yesterday of 2 arctic loads fly tipped - builders waste... any layby will do).