Support Centre
Common questions, direct answers.
Frequently asked
If you can't find what you're looking for, drop us a line at support@comparebuilders.com — a human reads every email.
Is it really free for homeowners?
Yes — and always. We make money from the winning builder paying for the lead, not from you submitting it. Charging consumers anything at the comparison stage cuts completion rates by half and undermines the trust we're trying to build.
Why do builders bid on my project?
Because they want it. Bidding is how a builder signals what your job is worth to them. The highest sealed bid wins exclusive access — losing bidders pay nothing. The bid is what the builder pays the platform, not what they charge you for the work; the project quote comes from the builder directly when they contact you.
Will I be cold-called by lots of builders?
No. By default, exactly one verified builder wins exclusive access to your contact details. The fallback path — "if no builder accepts the project, introduce me to up to three" — only kicks in when the auction fails to clear. You'll always know which path applies.
What does "Verified Premium" actually mean?
Eight independent checks: Companies House, public liability insurance verified directly with the insurer, trade-body memberships cross-referenced against published lists, VAT registration, photo-verified portfolio with site visits, two written customer references contacted by us, DBS check on the principal where work is in occupied homes, and annual re-verification. Every Verified Premium builder has a public verification page at /verify/CB-XXXXX that anyone can audit.
How long does the auction take?
Four hours from when invites are sent. You'll receive an email when the winning builder is matched and contact details have been released.
What happens if the auction doesn't clear?
If no Verified Premium builder bids — usually because the project doesn't fit any builder's current capacity or scope — you'll be offered an introduction to up to three suitable builders from our wider network. We'll always tell you which path you're on.
What about my privacy?
Your contact details are never shared until a verified builder has paid for exclusive access. Until then, builders see enough to bid intelligently — trade, postcode area, budget bracket, timeline, readiness — and never enough to bypass the platform. We hold your data per UK GDPR; see the privacy policy for full detail.
Still stuck?
Email support@comparebuilders.com with your project ID (you’ll find it on your account page) and we’ll come back within one working day.