Electrician wiring sockets into a tiled kitchen wall

TradeMatch Secure Payments

HowEscrowWorks

Your money stays safe until the job is done to your satisfaction. We hold funds securely between homeowner and tradesperson — no risk, no stress, just protected payments.

Post a Job Safely See How It Works

FCA-regulated payment partners

Ring-fenced client funds

Full refund if unsatisfied

Escrow in Action

An illustration of how a £1,400 kitchen rewire payment stays protected

Funds Deposited

You transfer £1,400 to the TradeMatch escrow account — not to the tradesperson.

Job Started

Your tradesperson confirms work has started. Funds remain locked in escrow.

Work in Progress

The kitchen rewire is underway. Funds are secure until you approve completion.

You Approve Release

Once you're happy with the job, you release the funds. Simple.

Secured in Escrow

£1,400.00

Protected by 256-bit encryption & FCA-regulated payment partners

FCA-Regulated Partners

256-bit Encryption

48hr Dispute Resolution

Segregated Client Funds

Escrow On Every Job

The Process

Four simple steps.
Complete protection.

From posting your job to releasing payment — every stage is designed to keep your money safe.

Step One

Post your job & agree the price

Describe what needs doing, get up to 5 quotes from vetted tradespeople, and agree the total price before a single penny changes hands.

No commitment until you accept a quote

All prices are fixed — no surprise invoices

Chat directly with tradespeople before committing

Post & Compare

Step Two

Deposit funds into escrow

Once you've chosen your tradesperson, you transfer the agreed amount into the TradeMatch escrow account — fully secured, and held independently from both parties.

Money goes to escrow, not straight to the tradesperson

FCA-regulated payment partners handle every transaction

Bank-grade 256-bit encryption at all times

Funds Secured

Step Three

Work gets done, you stay in control

Your tradesperson carries out the work. You can track progress, message them directly, and raise concerns at any point — all while knowing your money is safe.

Real-time job progress updates in your dashboard

Raise a dispute at any point if something goes wrong

Funds remain locked until you give the green light

Tradesperson checking a spirit level against a newly rendered panel

Step Four

Approve the work, release payment

When you're completely happy, simply approve the job completion. Funds are instantly released to the tradesperson. Not happy? Our dispute team steps in within 48 hours.

One-tap approval to release funds when satisfied

48-hour dispute resolution with dedicated case managers

Full or partial refund available if work falls short

Site manager reviewing job plans in a newly plastered room

“Escrow completely changed how I feel about hiring tradespeople. I posted the job, deposited the funds, and only released payment once the boiler install was exactly right. Zero risk.”
Sarah M. — Homeowner in Manchester

Site manager checking notes in a bright empty room mid-renovation

Every job covered by escrow

Verified reviews only

48hr dispute resolution guarantee

£0

Cost to homeowners

Mutual Protection

Built to protect everyone

Escrow isn't just about protecting homeowners. It gives tradespeople confidence too — both parties are fully covered from first payment to final sign-off.

Homeowner Protection

You only pay once you're satisfied. If work isn't completed or falls below the agreed standard, your funds are returned. No chasing. No fighting.

Tradesperson Protection

Tradespeople know the funds are there and confirmed before they start. No more chasing invoices or worrying about non-payment for completed work.

Independent Dispute Resolution

If there's ever a disagreement, our case managers review evidence from both sides and reach a fair outcome — typically within 48 hours.

Regulatory Compliance

Our escrow runs on FCA-regulated payment partners operating under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, with client money held in segregated accounts.

Questions

Everything you need to know

Plain English answers about how our escrow payment system works.

What happens if I'm not happy with the work?

If you're not satisfied, don't release the funds. Instead, raise a dispute through your dashboard. Our team will review photos, messages and the original job agreement, then reach a fair resolution — including a full or partial refund where appropriate — within 48 hours.

Can the tradesperson access the money early?

No. Funds are held in a ring-fenced escrow account and can only be released when you explicitly approve the work. The tradesperson has no ability to access funds without your authorisation. This is enforced at the payment system level, not just policy.

Is escrow mandatory on TradeMatch?

Yes — all jobs completed through TradeMatch use our escrow system. This is how we guarantee the quality and safety standards that both homeowners and tradespeople expect from the platform. It's a core part of our service, not an optional add-on.

How long does it take to release funds?

Once you approve the job completion, funds are typically transferred to the tradesperson within 1 business day. We use Faster Payments where possible, which often means the money arrives in hours, not days.

What does escrow cost me as a homeowner?

Escrow protection is included free for all homeowners on TradeMatch. There is no additional charge to use the escrow service — the platform fee covers it. The price you agree with your tradesperson is all you pay.

Can I pay in stages for large jobs?

Yes — milestone payments are available for larger projects. You and your tradesperson can agree on project milestones upfront. Funds are deposited for each stage and released separately once each milestone meets your satisfaction. This gives both parties maximum flexibility and security.

Who regulates TradeMatch's escrow service?

Our payment services are provided by FCA-authorised partners operating under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. All client funds are held in segregated accounts, meaning they are fully protected even in the unlikely event that TradeMatch ceases trading.

What if a tradesperson cancels the job?

If a tradesperson cancels after you've deposited funds, your money is returned to you in full — no deductions. We'll also help you find an alternative verified tradesperson and prioritise your job in search results to minimise any delay.