Why We Left Checkatrade and Trustatrader

Why Sunrise Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Left Checkatrade and TrustATrader — And What It Means for Our Customers in Bromsgrove
At Sunrise Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve always put customers first. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for providing reliable, affordable, and high-quality plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services across Bromsgrove and surrounding areas.

In our early days, we were proud to be listed on platforms like Checkatrade and TrustATrader, which helped us connect with new customers. However, we’ve made the decision to leave both platforms — and we believe it's a change for the better.

In this blog, we’ll explain why we stepped away from Checkatrade and TrustATrader, and how we’re now growing our business organically through Google and our own website — giving our customers a better, more direct experience.

Why We Initially Joined Checkatrade and TrustATrader
Like many local tradespeople, we joined these platforms to gain visibility and demonstrate our credibility. At the time, they provided:

• Verified review systems
• Listing in local trades directories
• Access to a network of homeowners looking for reliable tradespeople

We used these tools to get our name out there and build a foundation of trust with new customers.

Why We Left Checkatrade

As our business matured, we found that Checkatrade’s direction no longer aligned with how we wanted to grow. Here’s why:

1. Restricted Communication
Checkatrade doesn’t allow businesses to advertise their own contact details directly — meaning all customer communication is forced through their system. This created unnecessary delays and made it harder to build personal, transparent relationships with our clients.

2. Limited Control Over Our Brand
As a growing business in Bromsgrove, we wanted more freedom to represent our services, values, and customer experience. Checkatrade’s tight restrictions made it difficult to truly showcase what makes Sunrise Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning different.

3. Not Designed for Long-Term, Local Growth
While Checkatrade helped us gain visibility in the early stages, we found that Google search, customer referrals, and our own website were bringing in far more relevant, local leads — without the added cost and restrictions.

Why We Left TrustATrader

With TrustATrader, the main issue was value for money.

1. Poor Return on Investment
The cost of maintaining a TrustATrader membership simply wasn’t justified by the number or quality of leads we received. Many potential customers now turn directly to Google, Google Reviews, and social media instead of searching on directories.

2. Better Tools Are Available Elsewhere
With the rise of platforms like Google Business Profile, we can now share photos, reviews, updates, and promotions directly with our local audience — and at no extra cost.

Our New Direction: Growing Organically with Google and Our Website

Rather than rely on expensive directories, we’ve shifted our focus to building a strong, local online presence in and around Bromsgrove. Here’s what that means:

A Better Website

Our website is now our digital home, where customers can:

• Learn about our plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services
• Read real, verified reviews
• Contact us directly — no middlemen or forms

Local SEO and Google Reviews

We’ve invested in local SEO strategies to ensure we appear in Google searches like:

• Plumber in Bromsgrove
• Boiler repair near me
• Air conditioning installation Bromsgrove

We also encourage our customers to leave Google reviews, which helps build genuine trust without needing paid directories.

Direct Communication

You can now reach us directly by phone, email, or through our website — no account sign-ups or third-party messaging required.

What This Means for Our Customers

By stepping away from Checkatrade and TrustATrader, we’ve created a more personal, efficient, and transparent experience for our customers in Bromsgrove and beyond:

• No third-party restrictions
• No inflated costs from directory fees
• Faster response times
• Direct access to real reviews and real people

Most importantly, you’re working directly with a local, independent business that values your time, trust, and satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Leaving Checkatrade and TrustATrader wasn’t a decision we took lightly. But it was the right move for us — and for our customers.

We’re proud to be growing organically through our website, Google, and local recommendations, delivering the same high standards you’ve come to expect from Sunrise Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

If you're in Bromsgrove, Redditch, Droitwich, or nearby areas and looking for a dependable plumbing, heating or AC expert — we’re here for you.

Contact us today for a free quote on 01527576595 or 07428628790
Visit our website to learn more or book a service www.sunriseplumbingservices.co.uk
Check out our 5-star reviews on Google