Built a simple way for tradies to show work, get reviews and quote.
Focused on proof-of-work photos and transparent comms — not follower counts.

TradieScore was born out of frustration with how the modern “ratings” economy works. So many platforms for tradespeople focus on vanity metrics—likes, followers, badges—but those rarely translate to trust or work. What clients actually want to see is simple: Can you do the job? What does your work look like? And how easy are you to talk to?

The whole idea behind TradieScore was to build a reputation system grounded in craft, not clout. A place where an honest plasterer, sparkie or mechanic could show finished projects, get real-world feedback from verified clients, and have transparent communication about quotes and schedules.

Why it matters now

The trades sector is changing fast. A mix of younger digital-native tradespeople and customers used to frictionless apps means expectations are high: people want proof, not promises.
According to a 2025 HomeAdvisor insight report, over 70 % of customers said “clear before-and-after photos” and “direct communication” mattered more than reviews with star ratings. (homeadvisor.com)
At the same time, builders and subcontractors increasingly rely on online profiles to find subcontract work, not just residential jobs. (forconstructionpros.com)
TradieScore sits right in that gap — giving tradespeople digital visibility without turning them into influencers.

How I built it

I started with a basic PWA structure using React + Tailwind + ShadCN for clean component consistency. Each tradie’s profile is a “micro-portfolio”:

  • Projects → photos, descriptions, materials used, optional video clips.

  • Reviews → verified clients only (one job = one review, with optional follow-up).

  • Quotes → built-in messaging and quick quote system; no commission cuts.

  • Transparency → clients see job status updates, but personal data stays private.

Here’s a small snippet showing the project-card concept:

// components/ProjectCard.tsx
export const ProjectCard = ({ project }) => (
<div className=”rounded-2xl shadow-md overflow-hidden”>
<img src={project.coverPhoto} alt={project.title} className=”w-full h-48 object-cover” />
<div className=”p-4″>
<h3 className=”font-semibold text-lg”>{project.title}</h3>
<p className=”text-sm text-gray-600″>{project.description}</p>
<div className=”mt-2 flex justify-between text-xs text-gray-500″>
<span>{project.tradeType}</span>
<span>{new Date(project.date).toLocaleDateString()}</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
);

And the data model concept:

{
id: “proj-123”,
tradieId: “user-456”,
tradeType: “Electrician”,
title: “Outdoor Lighting Install”,
description: “Installed LED pathway lights and motion sensors.”,
photos: [“before.jpg”, “after.jpg”],
reviews: [{ clientId: “client-7”, rating: 5, comment: “Fast, tidy, professional.” }],
status: “Completed”
}

By focusing on proof-of-work, not metrics, the profiles tell an authentic story: what was built, not just who built it.

Real-world context

  • Industry research shows more than half of small trades businesses now win work via mobile devices. (tradiewebguys.com.au)

  • Digital reputation tools are shifting toward authenticity and verified outcomes — platforms like Houzz Pro and Hipages are starting to prioritise job verification over pure review volume.

  • Transparency pays off: an MIT study found users were 2.4× more likely to hire a service provider who showed a detailed project breakdown vs a five-star average alone. (mit.edu)

TradieScore simply extends that logic into a local-first app, where trades and clients communicate directly. The backend runs lean — no bloated intermediaries — and all project data can be cached offline for when mobile coverage drops out on-site.

Lessons learned

  • Photos are trust currency — every tradie with a camera phone already has a portfolio waiting to happen.

  • Direct communication beats algorithms — a good quote chat thread is more valuable than 100 anonymous reviews.

  • Local-first tech = less friction — PWAs and IndexedDB storage keep it running even when your phone drops 4G in a driveway.

  • Scoring redefined — TradieScore isn’t a “5-star” system, it’s a proof-of-work index: quality, punctuality, and transparency weighted over time.

What’s next

I’m adding:

  • Project tagging & search (“kitchen”, “roofing”, “tiling”) to help clients filter quickly.

  • Team profiles — for small crews to show collaborative work.

  • Quote-to-invoice flow — generate simple PDFs directly from job threads.

  • Federated logins — connect with Google or Apple but keep data local, not centralised.

  • Reputation API — allow other marketplaces or insurers to pull verified TradieScore records when assessing contractor reliability.

Final thought

Not every app needs to chase scale. Some need to chase substance.
TradieScore is about showing work that speaks for itself, rewarding reliability and authenticity over algorithmic fame. In a world where everything’s gamified, sometimes credibility is the real innovation.