How to Post a Tradesperson Job (And Get the Best Bids)

The 5-part anatomy of a high-bid job post

1. One-line headline — tell the pro what the job is in 8 words or fewer
2. The scope — what you want done, in plain language
3. The site — postcode, property type, parking, access
4. The timeframe — when you'd like it done, how flexible you are
5. Photos — at least 3, of the work area and existing setup

1. The headline — be boringly specific

Bad headline: 'Plumbing job'. Good headline: 'Replace combi boiler in semi-detached, like-for-like swap'. Pros browsing dozens of jobs scan headlines first; specificity makes them stop and read.

Examples of good headlines:

• 'Fit new bathroom suite, supply-and-fit, 2.5m × 2m bathroom'
• 'EICR for 3-bed Victorian terrace, landlord report needed'
• 'Weekly cleaner for 3-bed house, 3hrs every Thursday'
• 'Replace garage door — manual, 8x7ft, side-hinged'

2. The scope — what to include

Include enough detail that a pro can quote without phoning you. Detail saves them time, which means they can quote sharper.

• What you want done — work step-by-step where it's not obvious
• Materials — if you have a brand/model preference, name it (e.g. Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 30kW)
• Existing setup — what's there now, age, condition
• Anything you don't want — 'no chasing into walls', 'no lifting floorboards', 'must use existing pipework'
• Anything that's been already done — 'boiler is already removed' saves the pro a strip-out day

3. The site — be honest about access

Pros price for the worst case if access is unknown. Telling them honestly drops the price.

• Postcode (full or first half — full is fine on a verified marketplace)
• Property type and floor (terraced/semi/detached/flat, ground/2nd/3rd)
• Parking — restricted/permit/free; loading allowed?
• Access — straight in / awkward stairs / loft hatch only / through neighbour's garden
• Working hours — anything you can't allow (no 7am starts, must finish by 4pm school run, etc.)

4. The timeframe — flex earns bids

Pros bid more aggressively on jobs they can fit into a quiet slot. If you can be flexible, say so — it can drop your price 5–15%.

• Specific date — 'must be done by 14 May'
• Range — 'any time in May'
• Flexible — 'flexible — earliest available wins'
• Recurring — 'fortnightly, starts 3 June'

5. Photos — the single biggest bid multiplier

AllSorted internal data: jobs with 3+ photos get 3.4x more bids than jobs with no photos, and bids are typically 8–12% lower because pros aren't pricing the unknown.

What to photograph:

• The work area — the whole space, not just a close-up
• Existing setup — boiler model plate, fuse board, pipework, condition of the wall
• Access — the path from the front door to the work area, the parking situation
• Anything unusual — old pipework, asbestos panels, a tight corner, a pet who'll greet them

Should you put a budget?

Generally no — leave budget blank unless the platform requires it. Putting £4,000 anchors pros to bid £3,800–£3,950 even if the genuine market price is £3,200. Letting the bidding market discover the price tends to be cheaper.

Exceptions: if your budget is genuinely tight and below normal market rates, say so — it filters out pros who'd waste both your time. 'Maximum budget £150 for a one-off clean' is a useful filter.

When to post for maximum bids

• Weekday daytime — 9am to 4pm, when pros are between jobs
• Tuesday–Thursday — Mondays are quote-overload day, Fridays many pros are wrapping up
• Avoid late evenings — your job competes with TV; pros bid less attentively
• Avoid Sundays — fewest pros active

Once you've posted — what to do

1. Watch bids appear. First few minutes is fastest — turn notifications on.
2. Don't book the first bid. Wait at least 30 minutes for genuine competition.
3. Read profiles, not just prices. Lowest price isn't always best value.
4. Message bidders with questions — pros who reply quickly tend to deliver quickly.
5. Book within 24 hours. Most pros' bids assume they'll start within a week — if you sit on a bid for two weeks, expect it to expire.