Which UK home services platform is cheapest for small jobs?

TaskRabbit and GeraHome are typically cheapest for small tasks because they charge platform fees to the worker, not a premium to the customer. Checkatrade and MyBuilder charge tradesmen an annual membership which gets passed through to quotes.

Which platform vets tradesmen most thoroughly?

Checkatrade and GeraHome run the most thorough vetting (ID + insurance + trade-body membership + reference checks). TaskRabbit focuses on ID and insurance. MyBuilder’s vetting is lighter, based on reviews.

Which has the best dispute resolution?

TaskRabbit and GeraHome hold payment in escrow until work is complete, giving the strongest consumer protection. Checkatrade and MyBuilder connect you directly with the tradesman, so payment disputes become your responsibility.

Do I pay the platform or the tradesman?

On TaskRabbit and GeraHome, you pay the platform and they pay the tradesman. On Checkatrade and MyBuilder, you pay the tradesman directly.

Home Services Platforms Compared: TaskRabbit, Checkatrade, MyBuilder, GeraHome (2026)

The UK has four main home services platforms in 2026. Each solves a slightly different problem. TaskRabbit excels at small tasks with hourly pricing. Checkatrade is built around pre-vetted trades with annual membership. MyBuilder matches larger projects to tradesmen who quote against your brief. GeraHome combines TaskRabbit's escrow model with Checkatrade's vetting rigour and adds cross-border coverage.

This guide gives you an honest side-by-side so you can pick the right platform for each job.

How does the pricing model differ?

TaskRabbit: hourly rates set by "Taskers". Platform fee (~15%) charged to the Tasker, not you directly (but built into the hourly rate).
Checkatrade: free for customers. Tradesmen pay ~£90/month membership which gets passed through to quotes.
MyBuilder: free for customers. Tradesmen pay £4–£25 per lead + optional membership.
GeraHome: 5% platform fee to the customer on completed bookings, held in escrow. Cleaners and tradesmen keep 95%, well above every alternative.

What about vetting?

TaskRabbit: ID check, criminal record check, independent contractor agreement. Lighter on trade-specific verification.
Checkatrade: rigorous — ID, insurance, trade-body membership, reference checks, ongoing monitoring.
MyBuilder: light-touch — based mostly on customer reviews. Some trade body cross-checking.
GeraHome: ID, right-to-work, insurance (£2m+), trade credentials (Gas Safe/NICEIC/FENSA where applicable), basic DBS, reference checks with past clients.

How does dispute resolution work?

TaskRabbit: payment held until task completion; refunds possible via support if work is substandard.
Checkatrade: no escrow — customer pays tradesman directly, platform mediates disputes via Resolver partnership.
MyBuilder: similar to Checkatrade; Trust a Trader Guarantee Scheme on some tiers.
GeraHome: payment held in escrow until you confirm completion (7-day auto-release); full refund if work falls short of agreed scope.

Which platform for which job?

Flat-pack assembly, one-off moves, small jobs under £150: TaskRabbit or GeraHome
Large renovation, extension, multi-trade project: Checkatrade for vetting rigour, or GeraHome with architect partner
Medium trades job (bathroom, kitchen, roofing): MyBuilder for competitive quotes, GeraHome for escrow protection
Regular domestic cleaning: GeraHome subscription
Emergency plumber, 24/7: Checkatrade or direct from a Gas Safe engineer; GeraHome has 24/7 cover in London
Trade in a country outside UK: GeraHome (the only cross-border option)

What are the geographic coverage limits?

TaskRabbit covers most major UK cities but is thin in smaller towns. Checkatrade and MyBuilder cover the UK comprehensively. GeraHome currently covers the UK, Armenia, Georgia, Kenya, and a growing list of African and South Asian markets — the only platform built from day one to operate cross-border.

Which is best for customers vs tradesmen?

For customers: GeraHome and TaskRabbit offer the strongest escrow protection; Checkatrade offers the strictest vetting. For tradesmen: GeraHome's 95% take-home beats every alternative (TaskRabbit ~85%, Checkatrade pays the £90/month regardless of jobs, MyBuilder charges per lead).