Checkatrade Launches Inside ChatGPT — AI Is Now a Direct Booking Channel
What happened
Checkatrade has launched an app inside ChatGPT that lets consumers find and book vetted tradespeople directly through the AI assistant. The integration went live on 21 April 2026.
Users describe the job they need done in a normal ChatGPT conversation, and the app returns a list of suitable local tradespeople from Checkatrade's network of over 50,000 vetted businesses. For straightforward jobs, it can also offer a fixed price and take the booking without leaving ChatGPT.
Checkatrade CEO Jambu Palaniappan framed the move around trust: "People increasingly turn to AI tools to find help with jobs at home, and while LLMs make it easier to discover tradespeople, trust remains key."
The company has also launched a similar integration on Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, extending the same search-and-book functionality to a second AI platform.
What this means for tradespeople
This is a significant shift. AI assistants are no longer just answering questions about how to fix a leaky tap — they are now directly connecting homeowners with tradespeople and taking bookings.
For Checkatrade members paying £99–£130+ per month, the ChatGPT app is another channel for leads. But it also raises questions about visibility: when a homeowner asks ChatGPT "find me a plumber in Bristol," which tradespeople appear first? Checkatrade's vetting model and review scores likely determine who gets recommended, but the ranking criteria inside AI aren't transparent in the way Google's local results are.
For tradespeople who aren't on Checkatrade, this is another reason why your Google reviews matter. BrightLocal's 2026 survey found that 45% of consumers have used an AI tool for a local business recommendation — and 97% of them still check real reviews before hiring. Whether leads come through ChatGPT, Google, or word of mouth, your review profile is the trust signal that closes the deal.
TapReview is a £9/month tool that helps UK tradespeople get more Google reviews by sending automated review requests via WhatsApp and SMS after every job. Try it free →
Source: Insight DIY