There's no single best way to find a tradesperson in Ireland; it depends on the job, how quickly you need it done and how you'd like to pay. This roundup compares the main options: Service Connect, Airtasker, Checkatrade, Bark, Tradesmen.ie and good old word of mouth. Service Connect publishes this blog, so we've taken every fact about the others from their own pages, as of September 2026, and linked them below.
The options at a glance
| How it works | Who pays | Payment for the job | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Connect | Irish marketplace app: browse by county or post a job, agree the price in chat | Customer pays a buyer protection fee; providers pay nothing | In the app, held by Stripe until the job is done |
| Airtasker | Post a task, Taskers make offers | Customer pays a Connection Fee; Tasker pays a service fee | In the app, held in escrow with Stripe |
| Checkatrade | UK directory of vetted members | Trades pay a membership; homeowner service fee exists | Trades can take payment via Checkatrade Pay |
| Bark | Request quotes, professionals pay per lead | Free for customers; professionals buy credits | Agreed with the professional |
| Tradesmen.ie | Irish quote site, up to four tradesmen per job | Free for customers; trades pay a registration fee and credits | Paid to the tradesman directly |
| Word of mouth | Neighbours, friends, WhatsApp and local groups | Nobody | Cash or bank transfer, no protection |
Service Connect
Service Connect is a marketplace app built for Ireland, covering all 26 counties and 13 categories, from plumbers and electricians to cleaners and movers. You agree the price in chat, where a provider can send a custom offer. Your card is charged only when the provider accepts, Stripe holds the money until the job is done, and cancelling before work starts refunds everything, fee included. The buyer protection fee is €0.90 plus 5% of the first €500 and 3% above that (€5.90 on a €100 job), and providers pay nothing to join or quote. Providers verify their ID, address and bank details through Stripe; qualifications and insurance are self-declared, not inspected. The app is in English, Română, Українська and Русский. It's new and not on the App Store yet.
Airtasker
Airtasker operates in Ireland and five other countries. Customers pay a Connection Fee of €4.95 to €39.95 depending on the task price, Taskers pay a service fee of 12.5% to 20% plus VAT, and payment is held in escrow with Stripe until you release it. It's established and covers errands and odd jobs as well as home services. See our full Service Connect vs Airtasker comparison.
Checkatrade
Checkatrade is a large UK directory. Its members go through up to 12 checks, including ID, qualifications and financial checks, and trades pay from £0 for a basic profile to £30 a month for the Approved plan and from £59 a month for Growth, according to its pricing page. It offers a discretionary guarantee of up to £1,000. Its pricing, postcode search and terms are written for the UK, and we couldn't find a Republic of Ireland service described on its site. More in Service Connect vs Checkatrade.
Bark
Bark covers hundreds of services, not just trades. Placing a request is free, and professionals buy credits to respond; Bark's Irish help centre lists a standard rate of €2.41 per credit, with each lead's cost depending on the service and job size. Professionals can add a Bark Verified badge, which includes a background check. You arrange payment with the professional yourself.
Tradesmen.ie
Tradesmen.ie is an Irish site where up to four tradesmen who buy your lead get a chance to quote. It's free for customers; trades pay a registration fee and buy leads with credits, and its FAQ says new registrations are asked for photo ID, a utility bill, proof of insurance and, unless they hold a recognised qualification or licence, customer references. You pay the tradesman directly, and the site has an escrow information page for larger jobs.
Word of mouth and WhatsApp groups
Asking neighbours, family or a local WhatsApp or Facebook group is free, fast in a well-connected area and often very reliable. It's harder if you're new to an area, and there's no record of the agreed price and no hold on your money. Get the quote in writing, agree payment stages for bigger jobs and ask for a receipt. Our guide on how to hire a tradesperson in Ireland covers what to ask.
Which to use when
- A trusted name nearby: start with word of mouth. It's free, and a recommendation from someone you know is hard to beat.
- A quick errand or odd job, or a task outside home services: Airtasker is established in Ireland and covers errands as well as home services.
- Several quotes for a bigger job, paying the trade directly: Tradesmen.ie or Bark.
- A job in the UK with a vetted member and a guarantee: Checkatrade.
- A job in Ireland where you want the fee shown up front and your payment held until the work is done: Service Connect, especially if you'd rather use the app in Romanian, Ukrainian or Russian.
- You're a tradesperson who'd rather not pay per lead or per month: Service Connect costs nothing to join, and you keep the whole quote.
Service Connect is coming soon to the App Store on iPhone. To try it before launch, email support@serviceconnect.ie for early access. An Android app is in development.
Sources
Every competitor fact above comes from that company's own pages, checked on 27 September 2026. Fees and policies change, so check the live pages before you rely on a figure. Service Connect facts come from our Terms, Privacy Policy and homepage.
- Airtasker: Is Airtasker available in my country?
- Airtasker: What is the Connection fee in Ireland?
- Airtasker: What is the service fee?
- Airtasker: Why was my card charged when the task hasn't started?
- Checkatrade: Pricing
- Checkatrade: Guarantee terms
- Checkatrade: Service fee for homeowners
- Bark: What happens after I submit a request?
- Bark: What is a credit and how much does it cost?
- Bark: Bark Verified
- Tradesmen.ie: Tradesmen FAQs
- Tradesmen.ie: Escrow payment info
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to find a tradesperson in Ireland?
It depends on the job. Airtasker has a large pool for quick tasks, Tradesmen.ie and Bark get you several quotes that you pay the trade for directly, and Service Connect lets you book across all 26 counties with the fee shown up front and your payment held by Stripe until the work is done. For a small local job, a neighbour's recommendation is still hard to beat.
Which apps hold your payment until the job is done?
Of the options here, Service Connect and Airtasker take payment in the app and hold it with Stripe until the job is complete. On Bark and Tradesmen.ie, you pay the professional directly.
Is it free to find a tradesperson online in Ireland?
Posting a job is free on Service Connect, Bark and Tradesmen.ie. On Service Connect you pay a buyer protection fee only when you book, €5.90 on a €100 job. On Airtasker, customers pay a Connection Fee of €4.95 to €39.95 when they assign a Tasker.
How do I find a tradesperson in Ireland if I've just moved here?
Without a local network, an app with reviews from completed jobs helps. Service Connect is available in English, Romanian, Ukrainian and Russian, lets you browse providers by county, and only lets people who completed a booking leave a review.