Checkatrade Launches App Inside ChatGPT — Consumers Can Now Find Tradespeople via AI
What happened
Checkatrade has launched an app inside ChatGPT that lets consumers find and book vetted tradespeople directly through the AI assistant.
The integration works like this: a homeowner opens ChatGPT, describes the job they need — "I want someone to mount my TV in Manchester" — and the Checkatrade app asks qualifying questions (TV size, wall type) before presenting a fixed price and a vetted local tradesperson. For more complex jobs, it shows a list of suitable tradespeople to contact for quotes.
Checkatrade CEO Jambu Palaniappan said: "While LLMs make it easier to discover tradespeople, trust remains key. By bringing Checkatrade into ChatGPT, consumers can move seamlessly from inspiration to action."
The platform says its 50,000+ vetted trade businesses — plumbers, electricians, roofers, builders, and more — must pass up to 12 checks and maintain strong reviews to keep their Checkatrade approval.
Alongside the ChatGPT integration, Checkatrade also launched TradeMore, a free AI-powered job management platform for all UK tradespeople (not just Checkatrade members), covering scheduling, quotes, invoicing, and certificate management.
What this means for tradespeople
This is the clearest signal yet that AI is becoming a lead generation channel for UK trades. Checkatrade has effectively positioned itself as the intermediary between AI users and tradespeople — and it's doing so inside the second-most-popular AI tool in the world.
If you're a Checkatrade member, this could mean new enquiries from a channel you didn't know existed. But it also means Checkatrade is capturing the AI discovery layer — and you're paying their fees for those leads.
The bigger picture: homeowners are increasingly asking AI to recommend tradespeople rather than typing into Google. BrightLocal's 2026 survey found 45% of consumers now use AI for local business recommendations, up from just 6% in 2025. If your business isn't visible to AI — through Google reviews, a complete Google Business Profile, and consistent online presence — you're invisible to a growing share of potential customers.
What to do about it
Whether you're on Checkatrade or not, the lesson is the same: AI tools pull their recommendations from structured data, and your Google Business Profile is the most important source. Make sure your profile has accurate services listed, recent photos of your work, and a steady flow of genuine reviews. That's what AI reads when deciding who to recommend.
Source: Installer Online