Clear pricing. Genuine vetting. No games.
Relay is a marketplace that introduces Birmingham customers to vetted local tradespeople. This page explains exactly how the money works and how a pro earns their place on the platform.
The fee model, spelled out
You've been burned by lead-gen sites before, so we'll over-explain this. There are exactly two rates, and one of them is zero.
Your own direct clients
- Bring your existing customers onto Relay
- Pay nothing on their bookings
- Use Relay as free admin, messaging & payments
Relay-sourced jobs
- New customers Relay finds for you
- Charged only on completed, paid work
- No lead fees, no charge for quoting
What would this job actually cost?
Is there a joining fee or subscription?
No. It's free to apply and free to stay on Relay. There's no monthly fee.
Do I pay for leads or enquiries?
Never. Unlike Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Bark or Rated People, you are not charged for leads, quotes, or enquiries that don't turn into work.
When exactly is the 4% charged?
Only on a Relay-sourced job that you actually complete and get paid for. No completed job means no commission.
How does 0% on my own clients work?
If you invite your existing customers to book you through Relay, those bookings are commission-free. You get the app's tools — scheduling, messaging, invoicing, fast payment — at no cost.
How fast do I get paid?
We aim to pay pros within 24–48 hours of a completed job.
Do customers pay a fee too?
Yes — a transparent 6% service fee, itemised before invoice approval and added to the job price. It contributes to support and payment processing, and it is separate from the tradesperson’s 4% fee on Relay-sourced work.
What does it cost to book?
You pay the tradesperson's price plus a small, transparent service fee — shown in full before you confirm, never hidden or added after the fact.
- The 6% service fee is itemised on the final invoice before you approve payment.
- Review the itemised invoice, including Relay’s 6% service fee, and approve payment once the work is complete.
- No subscription, no membership, no charge to browse or get matched.
How a tradesperson gets onto Relay
Every pro passes through the same checks before they can accept a booking. Here's the process, start to finish.
1. Application
A pro applies with their trade, experience, area and contact details — the same form on our "For tradespeople" page.
2. Verification call
We speak to every applicant by phone to confirm they're a genuine, working tradesperson and talk through how Relay works.
3. Credential & insurance checks
We record and review trade credentials (e.g. Gas Safe, NICEIC-style registrations), public liability insurance and, where relevant, DBS.
4. Approval or decline
Pros who meet the bar go live. We decline those who don't — protecting the quality of the marketplace matters more than the headcount.
5. Ongoing review
Reviews come from completed jobs, and we can remove pros who stop meeting our standards. Vetting isn't a one-off gate.
Relay vs. lead-fee platforms
The big directories make money whether or not you get the job. We only make money when work actually gets done.
Ready when you are
Whether you're booking a pro or becoming one, start here.