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Compare Tradespeople — Which Trade Do You Need?
Not sure which tradesperson to hire for your project? This guide compares similar trades, explains the differences, and helps you find the right professional. All 53 trade categories on TradeMatch are covered below.
All 53 Trade Categories at a Glance
| Trade | What They Do | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | Professional plumbing services including repairs, installations and emergency callouts | £150–£350 |
| Electrician | Qualified electricians for rewiring, installations, inspections and fault finding | £150–£400 |
| Carpenter | Skilled carpentry and joinery for bespoke furniture, fitted wardrobes and structural work | £200–£500 |
| Painter | Interior and exterior painting and decorating services | £150–£400 |
| Roofer | Roof repairs, replacements, flat roofing and chimney work | £300–£1,500 |
| Landscaper | Garden design, landscaping, turfing and outdoor transformations | £500–£3,000 |
| Plasterer | Plastering, rendering, skimming and artex removal services | £200–£600 |
| Tiler | Wall and floor tiling for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces | £200–£600 |
| Locksmith | Emergency lockout services, lock changes and security upgrades | £80–£200 |
| Gas Engineer | Gas Safe registered engineers for boiler servicing, gas installations and safety checks | £100–£300 |
| Builder | General building services including extensions, renovations and structural alterations | £1,000–£10,000 |
| Handyman | Versatile handyman services for odd jobs, repairs and general maintenance | £100–£250 |
| Kitchen Fitter | Complete kitchen fitting, installation and refurbishment services | £1,500–£5,000 |
| Bathroom Fitter | Full bathroom installation, renovation and wet room conversions | £2,000–£6,000 |
| Flooring Specialist | Hardwood, laminate, vinyl and carpet fitting services | £300–£1,200 |
| Boiler Engineer | Boiler installation, repair, servicing and powerflush services | £200–£2,500 |
| Window Fitter | Double glazing, window replacement and door installation | £400–£1,500 |
| Damp Proofing Specialist | Damp surveys, damp proofing, tanking and condensation treatment | £500–£3,000 |
| Guttering Specialist | Gutter repair, replacement, cleaning and downpipe installation | £150–£500 |
| Fencing Specialist | Garden fencing, fence panels, posts and gate installation | £300–£1,000 |
| Paving Specialist | Block paving, patios, pathways and natural stone paving | £1,000–£5,000 |
| Rendering Specialist | External rendering, monocouche, silicone and K-rend application | £2,000–£6,000 |
| Chimney Sweep | Chimney sweeping, inspections, CCTV surveys and cowl fitting | £60–£150 |
| Pest Control | Pest removal and prevention for rodents, insects and wildlife | £100–£300 |
| Tree Surgeon | Tree felling, pruning, stump removal and hedge trimming | £300–£1,500 |
| Skip Hire | Skip hire and waste removal services for domestic and commercial projects | £200–£500 |
| Removals | House and office removals, packing services and storage solutions | £300–£1,500 |
| Cleaning | Professional cleaning services including deep cleans, end-of-tenancy and commercial | £100–£350 |
| Security Systems | CCTV installation, alarm systems, access control and smart security | £300–£1,500 |
| Solar Panel Installer | Solar PV panel installation, battery storage and maintenance | £4,000–£8,000 |
| Heat Pump Installer | Air source and ground source heat pump installation and servicing | £6,000–£14,000 |
| EV Charger Installer | Electric vehicle home charger installation and setup | £800–£1,500 |
| Underfloor Heating Specialist | Electric and water underfloor heating system installation | £1,200–£4,000 |
| Air Conditioning Engineer | Air conditioning installation, servicing and repair for homes and offices | £1,500–£3,500 |
| Conservatory Specialist | Conservatory construction, roof replacements and orangery builds | £5,000–£15,000 |
| Extension Builder | Single and double storey house extensions and side returns | £15,000–£50,000 |
| Loft Conversion Specialist | Dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and Velux loft conversions | £20,000–£60,000 |
| Garage Conversion Specialist | Garage to living space conversions with full insulation and finishing | £5,000–£15,000 |
| Driveway Specialist | Driveway installation including resin, tarmac, gravel and block paving | £2,000–£8,000 |
| Decking Specialist | Timber and composite decking design, build and installation | £1,000–£4,000 |
| Roofing Specialist | Complete roofing services including new roofs, tiles, slates and flat roofing | £3,000–£10,000 |
| Drainage Specialist | Drain unblocking, CCTV surveys, repairs and new drainage installation | £150–£500 |
| Bricklayer | Bricklaying for walls, extensions, garden walls and repointing | £300–£2,000 |
| Joiner | Joinery services for doors, staircases, skirting boards and architraves | £200–£800 |
| Welder | Welding and fabrication services for gates, railings and structural steel | £200–£1,000 |
| Demolition Contractor | Structural demolition, strip-outs, site clearance and asbestos removal | £1,000–£10,000 |
| Scaffolding Contractor | Scaffolding erection, hire and dismantling for residential and commercial | £500–£2,000 |
| Surveyor | Building surveys, homebuyer reports, valuations and structural assessments | £300–£1,000 |
| End of Tenancy Cleaner | Professional move-out cleaning to letting-agent standards including oven, carpets and windows for deposit return | £150–£500 |
| Fascia & Soffit Specialist | UPVC fascia, soffit and bargeboard supply, repair and replacement with capping over and full-replacement options | £500–£2,500 |
| Washing Machine Repair Engineer | White-goods repair for washing machines, washer-dryers, tumble dryers and dishwashers — same-day callouts available | £60–£200 |
| TV Aerial Installer | TV aerial installation, repair and alignment plus satellite dish, Freeview, Freesat and communal-aerial systems | £80–£300 |
| Loft Ladder & Hatch Installer | Loft ladder, loft hatch and trap-door installation including aluminium, timber and concertina ladders with insulation | £150–£500 |
Trade Comparisons — Side by Side
Plumber vs Gas Engineer
A plumber handles water supply, drainage, bathrooms and general plumbing repairs. A Gas Safe registered gas engineer works specifically on gas appliances, boilers, central heating and gas safety certificates. For boiler installation or any gas work, you must use a Gas Safe registered engineer — it is a legal requirement in the UK.
Gas Engineer
Cost: £100–£300
Certs: Gas Safe Registered (legal requirement), ACS Qualified
Find a Gas Engineer→Builder vs Extension Builder
A general builder handles a wide range of construction work including renovations, structural alterations and smaller builds. An extension builder specialises specifically in house extensions (single storey, double storey, side returns) and typically manages the full project including planning, building control and completion.
Extension Builder
Cost: £15,000–£50,000
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Extension Builder→Electrician vs EV Charger Installer
Any qualified electrician (Part P certified) can do general electrical work — rewiring, fuse boards, lighting and inspections. An EV charger installer is specifically OZEV-approved and trained to install electric vehicle charging points, ensuring compliance with the grant scheme and manufacturer requirements.
EV Charger Installer
Cost: £800–£1,500
Certs: OZEV Approved Installer, Part P Certified
Find a EV Charger Installer→Roofer vs Roofing Specialist
A roofer typically handles repairs, tile replacement, chimney work and smaller jobs. A roofing specialist takes on complete roof replacements, new builds and large-scale commercial roofing. For a full re-roof, a roofing specialist with NFRC membership and a dedicated team is recommended.
Roofing Specialist
Cost: £3,000–£10,000
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Roofing Specialist→Carpenter vs Joiner
A carpenter works on-site, fitting structures, installing kitchens, building frameworks and second-fix work. A joiner typically works in a workshop, making bespoke items like staircases, doors, window frames and furniture. Many professionals do both — check their specialisation when hiring.
Carpenter
Cost: £200–£500
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Carpenter→Plasterer vs Rendering Specialist
A plasterer handles interior work — skimming walls, ceiling plastering, patch repairs and artex removal. A rendering specialist works on exterior walls, applying monocouche, silicone, K-rend or sand-cement render. Some plasterers do both, but for large exterior projects, a dedicated rendering specialist is recommended.
Plasterer
Cost: £200–£600
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Plasterer→Rendering Specialist
Cost: £2,000–£6,000
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Rendering Specialist→Landscaper vs Paving Specialist
A landscaper handles full garden design and transformation including planting, turfing, decking, water features and outdoor living spaces. A paving specialist focuses specifically on driveways, patios, pathways and block paving. For a complete garden makeover, use a landscaper; for paving-only work, a specialist may offer better value.
Landscaper
Cost: £500–£3,000
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Landscaper→Paving Specialist
Cost: £1,000–£5,000
Certs: Relevant trade qualifications, Public liability insurance
Find a Paving Specialist→Solar Panel vs Heat Pump Installer
Both are MCS-certified renewable energy installers. Solar panel installers fit PV panels and battery storage for electricity generation. Heat pump installers fit air or ground source heat pumps for heating. Both qualify for government grants — the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for heat pumps and the Smart Export Guarantee for solar.
Solar Panel Installer
Cost: £4,000–£8,000
Certs: MCS Certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
Find a Solar Panel Installer→Heat Pump Installer
Cost: £6,000–£14,000
Certs: MCS Certified, Gas Safe (for hybrid systems)
Find a Heat Pump Installer→
Choosing the Right Tradesperson — FAQ
How do I know which tradesperson I need?
Describe your job in detail and the right trade will become clear. If you are unsure, post your job on TradeMatch with a description and photos — our matching system will suggest the most appropriate trade category, and vetted professionals will quote for the work.
Can one tradesperson do multiple types of work?
Some tradespeople are multi-skilled — for example, a builder may also do plastering, basic plumbing and tiling. However, regulated work (gas, electrical, roofing) must be done by specifically qualified professionals. TradeMatch shows each professional qualifications so you know exactly what they can do.
What is the difference between a tradesperson and a contractor?
A tradesperson specialises in a specific skill (e.g. plumbing, electrical). A contractor or builder often manages larger projects and may coordinate multiple tradespeople. For a kitchen renovation, you might hire a contractor who brings in specialist plumbers, electricians and tilers.
How many quotes should I get?
We recommend getting at least 3 quotes for any job over £500. TradeMatch lets you receive up to 5 free quotes, making it easy to compare prices, reviews and qualifications before hiring.
Not Sure Which Trade You Need?
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