Guides
Homeowner guides
Practical advice to help you hire with confidence and get the best from your project.
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Start with privacy, scope and quote comparison
How Lead & Trade protects homeowner privacy
How privacy-safe job previews work and when contact details are shared.
Read guide →How to compare trade quotes properly
A simple way to compare scope, materials, VAT, guarantees and payment terms without focusing only on the cheapest price.
Read guide →What details to include when posting a job
The details that help trades decide whether to quote and produce a more accurate price.
Read guide →Hiring safely
Checks, warning signs and practical ways to reduce risk before work starts.
How to choose a reliable tradesperson
A practical homeowner checklist for checking experience, quotes, insurance and communication before you hire.
Read guide →How to avoid rogue traders
Red flags to watch for and sensible steps to protect yourself before agreeing work.
Read guide →Red flags before paying a deposit
Warning signs to check before sending money to a trade business.
Read guide →How much deposit is normal for trade work?
How to think about deposits, materials, staged payments and warning signs before paying upfront.
Read guide →Comparing quotes
How to compare scope, price, VAT, materials and payment stages.
How to compare trade quotes properly
A simple way to compare scope, materials, VAT, guarantees and payment terms without focusing only on the cheapest price.
Read guide →How to choose between quotes without picking the cheapest
How to compare scope, assumptions, risk and communication before choosing a trade quote.
Read guide →What should be included in a written trade quote
The core items every homeowner should look for in a written scope before work starts.
Read guide →What to do if a quote seems too cheap
How to check a low quote without assuming it is automatically wrong.
Read guide →Writing a better job post
Briefs, photos and detail that help trades decide whether they can quote.
What details to include when posting a job
The details that help trades decide whether to quote and produce a more accurate price.
Read guide →Why photos help trades quote more accurately
How good photos reduce guesswork and help trades price access, condition and materials.
Read guide →How to prepare photos for a trade quote
The photo angles and context that help trades understand condition, access, size and urgency.
Read guide →How to write a roofing job brief
What roofers need to know about leaks, access, roof type, photos, urgency and scaffolding before quoting.
Read guide →How to write a driveway job brief
How to describe size, surface, drainage, access and finish so driveway installers can quote more accurately.
Read guide →How to write a bathroom renovation brief
A checklist for bathroom layouts, fixtures, tiling, plumbing, electrics, ventilation and budget bands.
Read guide →Trade-specific advice
Questions and preparation for builders, roofers, driveways and renovations.
Questions to ask before hiring a builder
The key questions for extensions, renovations, structural changes and general building work.
Read guide →Questions to ask before hiring a roofer
What to ask about roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofs, access, warranties, insurance and written scopes.
Read guide →Questions to ask a driveway installer
What to ask about excavation, sub-base, drainage, edging, materials and guarantees.
Read guide →Questions to ask a roofer before work starts
Questions about access, diagnosis, scaffolding, materials, warranties and weather risk.
Read guide →For tradespeople
Lead value, previews, follow-up and tracking ROI as a small trade business.
How tradespeople can judge pay-per-lead value
A practical way for trades to assess lead cost, job fit, quote rate and win rate.
Read guide →How to track lead ROI as a small trade business
A simple way to measure lead spend, quote rate, win rate and profit per won job.
Read guide →Why lead previews are fairer than buying blind
How privacy-safe previews help trades choose suitable enquiries before spending credits.
Read guide →How to follow up quotes professionally
Simple follow-up timing and wording for trades who want to win work without pressuring homeowners.
Read guide →All guides
Browse the full guide library
How to choose a reliable tradesperson
A practical homeowner checklist for checking experience, quotes, insurance and communication before you hire.
Read guide →Questions to ask before hiring a builder
The key questions for extensions, renovations, structural changes and general building work.
Read guide →Questions to ask before hiring a roofer
What to ask about roof repairs, new roofs, flat roofs, access, warranties, insurance and written scopes.
Read guide →How to compare trade quotes properly
A simple way to compare scope, materials, VAT, guarantees and payment terms without focusing only on the cheapest price.
Read guide →How to avoid rogue traders
Red flags to watch for and sensible steps to protect yourself before agreeing work.
Read guide →What details to include when posting a job
The details that help trades decide whether to quote and produce a more accurate price.
Read guide →Why photos help trades quote more accurately
How good photos reduce guesswork and help trades price access, condition and materials.
Read guide →What to do if a quote seems too cheap
How to check a low quote without assuming it is automatically wrong.
Read guide →How Lead & Trade protects homeowner privacy
How privacy-safe job previews work and when contact details are shared.
Read guide →How Lead & Trade verifies reviews
Why reviews should be tied to real Lead & Trade jobs and why we do not allow invented testimonials.
Read guide →How to take useful photos for a trade quote
Simple photo tips that help trades understand access, damage, size and finish before visiting.
Read guide →Emergency trade checklist
What to do before posting an urgent plumbing, roofing, electrical, locksmith or safety-critical job.
Read guide →How to avoid paying for poor workmanship
Practical steps for agreeing scope, payment stages, evidence and changes before a trade starts work.
Read guide →How to write a roofing job brief
What roofers need to know about leaks, access, roof type, photos, urgency and scaffolding before quoting.
Read guide →How to write a driveway job brief
How to describe size, surface, drainage, access and finish so driveway installers can quote more accurately.
Read guide →How to write a bathroom renovation brief
A checklist for bathroom layouts, fixtures, tiling, plumbing, electrics, ventilation and budget bands.
Read guide →How to choose between quotes without picking the cheapest
How to compare scope, assumptions, risk and communication before choosing a trade quote.
Read guide →What should be included in a written trade quote
The core items every homeowner should look for in a written scope before work starts.
Read guide →How much deposit is normal for trade work?
How to think about deposits, materials, staged payments and warning signs before paying upfront.
Read guide →Red flags before paying a deposit
Warning signs to check before sending money to a trade business.
Read guide →How tradespeople can judge pay-per-lead value
A practical way for trades to assess lead cost, job fit, quote rate and win rate.
Read guide →Why lead previews are fairer than buying blind
How privacy-safe previews help trades choose suitable enquiries before spending credits.
Read guide →How to follow up quotes professionally
Simple follow-up timing and wording for trades who want to win work without pressuring homeowners.
Read guide →How to prepare photos for a trade quote
The photo angles and context that help trades understand condition, access, size and urgency.
Read guide →Questions to ask a roofer before work starts
Questions about access, diagnosis, scaffolding, materials, warranties and weather risk.
Read guide →Questions to ask a driveway installer
What to ask about excavation, sub-base, drainage, edging, materials and guarantees.
Read guide →How to track lead ROI as a small trade business
A simple way to measure lead spend, quote rate, win rate and profit per won job.
Read guide →