When SLE Electrical Services Ltd first joined Checkatrade, it genuinely worked. Back then, it connected customers in Hailsham and East Sussex with trusted local electricians. We gained jobs ranging from consumer unit changes and rewires to emergency call-outs, and it gave us a platform to grow.
But over time, Checkatrade changed — and not for the better.
The Downfall of Checkatrade
Checkatrade is no longer about recommendations or vetting. Instead, it has become:
Oversubscribed – with too many tradespeople fighting for the same leads. Pay-to-Play – where the companies paying the most money get the visibility, not necessarily the best service. Aggressive in sales tactics – constantly pressuring trades to pay more for premium positions or risk being buried at the bottom of the directory. Controlling with calls – all customer enquiries are screened through their system, which makes it harder for customers to actually deal directly with the tradesman they’ve chosen.
The truth is, Checkatrade has become less about quality and more about how much a business is willing to pay. And that is spearheading the downfall of trusted tradesmen.
One Year After Leaving – No Drop in Workload
We made the decision to step away from Checkatrade over a year ago. Many thought it would mean fewer calls and less work. But in reality?
We haven’t noticed a drop in workload at all. In fact:
Website traffic has increased Google reviews have brought in more direct enquiries Calls come to us directly — no middleman We’re working with more homeowners in Hailsham, Eastbourne, Polegate, Heathfield, Uckfield, Lewes, and Seaford than ever before
By focusing on our own website, SEO, and genuine customer reviews, we’ve seen better results than Checkatrade ever provided.
Why Customers Prefer It Too
Customers tell us they prefer dealing directly with us. There’s no corporate platform in the way, no call centre, no hidden agenda. Just a qualified, local electrician who answers the phone and gets the job done.
When someone needs a:
Consumer unit change in Hailsham Full rewire in Eastbourne EICR in Uckfield or Lewes Emergency electrician call-out in Heathfield, Polegate or Seaford
…they can now find us directly, without going through a paid directory that pushes whoever spends the most money.
The Future – Real Recommendations, Not Paid Listings
At SLE Electrical, we believe the future of our trade depends on real trust and personal recommendations, not pay-per-lead platforms. One year after leaving Checkatrade, we’re living proof that stepping away makes your business stronger.
Contact SLE Electrical Directly
📍 SLE Electrical Services Ltd – Hailsham, East Sussex
📞 Phone: 07429 379495
📧 Email: info@sleelectrical.co.uk
🌍 Website: http://www.sleelectrical.co.uk
✅ Whether it’s a consumer unit upgrade, a full house rewire, an EICR, or an emergency electrician call-out, call us direct. No middleman. No screened calls. Just honest, professional electrical work you can trust.
