Cost per lead for tradesmen: how much do trade leads cost in the UK? (2026 guide)
Last updated: 29 October 2026 · By Zidaan Izzah, founder of Arkadia Connect
If you're a plumber, electrician, roofer or builder, you've probably been asked to pay for leads. The question isn't really "how much is a lead?" It's "how much does it cost me to win a job?" The cost per lead for tradesmen varies by trade and by site, so this guide explains the main ways lead sites charge, what each model tends to cost you, and how to work out your real cost per job.
The three ways lead sites charge
- Pay per lead: you pay each time you contact or are matched with a customer, whether or not you win the job.
- Annual membership: you pay a monthly fee, usually on a 12-month contract, to be listed or vetted.
- Flat monthly subscription: you pay one monthly price for job alerts, with no per-lead fees, and can cancel any time.
For a side-by-side look at pay per lead and flat fees, read Pay per lead vs a flat monthly fee.
How the costs add up
- Pay-per-lead sites: you buy credits or pay a fee each time you respond to a job or are shortlisted. The price varies with the job, and you pay whether or not you win the work.
- Membership directories: you pay a monthly fee to be listed and vetted, often on a 12-month contract, sometimes with extra charges for more leads.
- Arkadia Connect: one flat monthly price with no lead fees. Plans start at £9.99 a month for a profile and £19.99 a month for job alerts within about 10 miles, or £39.99 a month for about 30 miles. Unlimited is £59.99 a month for nationwide job alerts in every trade. Monthly, cancel any time.
Work out your real cost per job
The number that matters is what you pay for each job you actually win:
Cost per job won = total spent on leads in a month ÷ jobs won that month
Example: you spend £150 in a month and win 3 jobs. Your cost per job won is £50. If you win 1 job, it's £150.
On a pay-per-lead site, that number rises every time a customer goes quiet, picks someone else, or was only shopping around for prices. On a flat monthly plan, it falls with every extra job you win, because the price stays the same.
What should a trade lead cost?
There's no single right figure, but a simple rule helps: your cost per job won should be a small share of the profit on an average job. If a typical job makes you £300 profit, paying £40 to win it may be fine. Paying £150 isn't. Track it for two or three months before deciding whether a site is worth it.
Tips to get more from any lead site
- Reply fast. The first tradesperson to respond often wins the job.
- Fill in your profile properly, with photos, qualifications and your areas.
- Ask every happy customer for a review.
- Only pay for leads in the trades and areas you really want.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet of spend and jobs won, per site.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lead cost for tradesmen?
It varies a lot. The cost per lead for tradesmen depends on the trade, the area, the job size and the site, and some sites change the price as demand changes, so we do not quote a figure. What matters is your cost per job won: add up what you spend on leads and divide it by the jobs you win. Arkadia Connect has no per-lead fees. You pay one flat monthly plan price, however many job alerts you get.
Do I pay for leads that don't reply?
On most pay-per-lead sites, yes. You pay to contact or be matched with the customer, whether or not they reply or hire you. On Arkadia Connect there are no lead fees, so a quiet customer doesn't cost you anything extra.
Do I have to sign a 12-month contract?
Some lead sites and directories ask for one. Arkadia Connect plans are monthly, and you can cancel any time.
What's the cheapest way to get trade leads?
Word of mouth and a Google Business Profile are free. After that, a flat monthly plan can work out cheaper per job once you're winning more than a job or two a month.