Guides, Tips & Platform Updates
Practical advice for homeowners and tradespeople — from payment safety to winning more jobs.
Payment Safety Guide for Homeowners
The golden rule: never pay the full amount upfront. This guide walks you through how to structure staged payments, when to use escrow, what to do if something goes wrong, and how HireOne protects every penny you spend.
ProtectedPay Escrow: When It Applies and Why
For projects over £500, ProtectedPay holds your money securely until you're happy with the work. The admin fee is just £9–£49 (flat, no percentage) — far cheaper than losing thousands to a rogue trader. Here's exactly how it works.
How to Raise a Dispute on HireOne
If something goes wrong — work not completed, damage caused, or quality below standard — our dispute centre is your first port of call. We explain the 14-day window, what evidence to gather, and how the review process works.
How to Read a Tradesperson's Profile
Trust Score, verified badges, review counts, response times — what do they all mean? This guide decodes every signal on a trade profile so you can make a confident, informed hire every time.
How to Write a Winning Trade Quote
Most trades lose jobs not on price but on how they present their quote. We break down the anatomy of a winning quote — from the opening line to the payment terms — and share the templates that convert best on HireOne.
What Is the HireOne Trust Score?
Your Trust Score (0–100) is the single most important number for your lead visibility. It's calculated from verified reviews, completed jobs, response rate, documentation status, and dispute history. We break down each factor and exactly how to improve yours.
What Documents Do Trades Need to Get Verified?
Verified trades get 3× more leads than unverified profiles. Here's the complete checklist: photo ID, public liability insurance, trade-specific certifications (Gas Safe, NICEIC, etc.), and how to upload them in the app.
The Professional Passport: Your Verified Trade Identity
Your Professional Passport is a portable, verified summary of your trade identity — qualifications, reviews, completed jobs, and trust tier. Share it with clients before you even quote. Here's how to build one that wins trust instantly.
How HireOne's Success Fees Work
We charge a success fee only when a job completes — and the rate depends on your subscription plan. From 10% on Free down to 2% on Elite. No win = no charge. No monthly per-lead costs. Here's the full breakdown.
Using Milestones for Staged Payments
Milestone payments are the safest way to structure any project over £2,000. Trades get paid progressively as work is approved; homeowners stay protected throughout. We explain how to set up a milestone schedule in under 5 minutes.
Your Property Vault: A Permanent Record of All Work Done
Every verified job completed through HireOne is logged automatically in your Property Vault. Certificates, guarantees, invoices, and photos — all in one place. Invaluable when you come to sell your home.