Rated People Has Closed: What It Means for Tradespeople and Where to Get Leads Now

Rated People Limited entered creditors' voluntary liquidation on 16 September 2026, and tradesperson accounts were closed the same day. Checkatrade Group bought the brand and website on 17 September, and jobs that homeowners post on Rated People from 18 September go to Checkatrade members. If you were a Rated People member, your membership has not moved across, and you need another way to get work.

This guide covers what happened, what it means for former members, the main alternatives, and why the enquiries you already received through Rated People are now one of your most valuable assets.

At a glance

• 16 September 2026: Rated People Limited entered liquidation; trade accounts closed
• 17 September 2026: Checkatrade Group bought assets including the brand and website
• From 18 September 2026: homeowner jobs posted on Rated People go to Checkatrade members
• Memberships and reviews did not transfer automatically
• Former members can request their data from the liquidators
• The homeowners who already contacted you are still yours to follow up

What happened to Rated People?

According to MyJobQuote's summary, published as a developing story on 19 September 2026, Rated People Limited entered creditors' voluntary liquidation on 16 September 2026. It is a liquidation, not an administration. All tradesperson accounts were closed that day.

The next day, Checkatrade Group bought some of the company's assets, including the Rated People brand and website. Checkatrade is a trading name of Vetted Limited, part of Brookfield. From 18 September, jobs posted by homeowners on the Rated People website are sent to Checkatrade tradespeople. Homeowners who posted before then have to repost.

MyJobQuote is itself a competitor of both platforms, so check the details against the liquidators' and Checkatrade's own announcements before making decisions.

What does it mean for former Rated People members?

• Your membership has ended. Subscriptions do not appear to have been bought by Checkatrade, and nothing transfers automatically.
• Your reviews stay on Rated People for now. Checkatrade has said its members may be able to import them in future, with no timeline given.
• Your old lead data is no longer shown on the Rated People website or app. You can request your data from the liquidators, S&W Group, through the form linked from Rated People's announcement.
• Refunds are uncertain. It is not known whether former members will get any money back. Questions go to the liquidators.

Where can tradespeople get leads now?

Most former members will look at the other platforms, and each charges differently. Here is a fair summary, using published prices where they exist and member reports where they do not.

We cover the maths in more depth in is Checkatrade worth it, are Bark leads worth it and should you buy leads.

Should you just join Checkatrade?

It depends on your trade and area. Checkatrade now receives the jobs homeowners post on Rated People, so it may carry more demand in some trades. But it has its own costs and a reported 12-month term, and leads can still be shared. Get a written quote for your trade and postcode, and work out the cost per won job before you commit. Our Checkatrade guide walks through it.

What about the leads Rated People already sent you?

This is the part most tradespeople overlook. Every homeowner who contacted you through Rated People in the last year or two is a real person who needed a job doing. Many got several quotes and went quiet. Plenty still have not had the work done.

If you kept their details in your own CRM, spreadsheet or phone, you can follow them up yourself, as long as you have a lawful basis to contact them. Check the ICO's guidance on electronic marketing before you text anyone, and keep messages about the job they asked about.

Hi [first name], it's [name] from [business]. You asked us about a [job] earlier this year. Is it still something you need, or did you get it sorted? Reply STOP to opt out.

Going back to past enquiries like this is called lead reactivation. Setterly does it by two-way AI SMS: it texts each past enquiry about the job they asked for, holds the conversation and books the ones who are ready into your diary. You pay per booked appointment, with no setup fee and no retainer. See lead reactivation for home improvement.

For context, Cloudy2Clear, a UK misted double glazing repair franchise, re-engaged 6,769 old enquiries this way and booked 673 appointments. That is one business's result, not a forecast for yours.

What should former Rated People members do this week?

1. Request your data from the liquidators if you did not keep your own copy of past leads.
2. Export what you have into one list: name, number, job, date.
3. Check your lawful basis for contacting each person.
4. Follow up the warm ones with a short, specific message.
5. Decide on a replacement platform using cost per won job, not headline price.
6. Ask happy customers for Google reviews, so your reputation is not tied to any one platform again.