How SpainTrades Works
Connecting expats in Spain with trusted, expat-friendly local tradespeople — simply and safely.
Find the Right Tradesperson
Search by Trade & Location
Browse plumbers, electricians, builders, gardeners and more. Filter by distance to find someone near you in Málaga or across the Costa del Sol.
Compare Profiles
Read reviews and browse portfolio photos before you reach out. The Verified badge means our team has checked the tradesperson's documents.
Request a Free Quote
Create a free account, describe the job, attach photos, and send your request. Your request and replies go through SpainTrades and are translated automatically in English and Spanish.
Chat & Confirm
Message the tradesperson directly to discuss details and agree on a price.
Leave a Review
Help other expats find great tradespeople by rating your experience.
Grow Your Business
Create Your Profile
Register your business, upload your logo, and describe your services. Your first 3 months are completely free — no card needed.
Get Verified (optional)
Upload your CIF/NIF and trade documents. Once our team has checked them, your profile shows a Verified badge.
Get Found
Your profile goes live. Expats searching for your trade in your area find you instantly.
Respond to Quotes
Get notified when a customer sends a quote request. Review details and respond from your dashboard.
Build Your Reputation
Collect customer reviews. Higher ratings mean better placement in search results.
Tradesperson Subscription Plans
After your 3-month free trial. Cancel any time.
- ✓50 quote forwards/mo
- ✓20 images · 3 categories
- ✓Priority placement + stats
- ✓Unlimited forwards
- ✓50 images · unlimited categories
- ✓⭐ Top placement + full stats
Annual billing saves 2 months. Terms apply.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about SpainTrades
For Customers
- Is SpainTrades free for customers?
- Yes — completely free. Searching, viewing profiles, and sending quote requests all cost nothing. You do not even need an account to browse. Sending a quote request needs a free account, which also lets you save favourites and track your requests. In-app messages in a quote request are translated automatically for registered customers. Messages sent through WhatsApp buttons are not translated, and SpainTrades does not see or store their content; we only record that a contact button was clicked.
- How do I find a tradesperson?
- Use the search bar on the homepage or the Search page. Filter by trade category (e.g. Plumber, Electrician), enter your town or postcode, and set a distance radius. Results are ranked by rating and subscription tier.
- Are tradespeople verified?
- Our team reviews every profile before it goes live and appears in search — but that isn't the same as being verified. Verification is a separate, optional step: tradespeople submit ID and trade documents, and our admin team reviews them manually. Approved profiles display a green "Verified" badge.
- What does "expat-friendly" mean?
- It means the tradesperson has experience working with expatriates specifically — they understand the practicalities of Spanish property ownership, can assist with NIE paperwork, bank requirements, and certificate of habitability processes, and are comfortable communicating in English.
- What happens after I send a quote request?
- The tradesperson is notified by email immediately. Registered customers can then message each other through the platform to discuss the job and agree a price. Messages are translated automatically in both directions, and all communication is logged in your dashboard.
- Can I contact multiple tradespeople for the same job?
- Yes — you can send quote requests to as many tradespeople as you like and compare their responses before committing to anyone.
- How do I leave a review?
- Once a job is marked as complete, you will be prompted to leave a review via your dashboard. Only customers whose quote request the tradesperson has responded to can leave a review, and our team checks every review before it is published.
- How does translation work?
- Messages inside a SpainTrades quote request are translated automatically, in both directions, so you can write in English and the tradesperson reads Spanish (and the reverse). This applies to registered customers using the in-app messages only. Messages sent through WhatsApp buttons are not translated.
For Tradespeople
- How long is the free trial and what does it include?
- Your first 3 months are completely free — no credit card required. During the trial you get full access to your chosen subscription tier, so you can receive quote requests, message customers, and build your profile before a single payment is taken.
- What happens after the free trial ends?
- You'll receive reminder emails at 30, 14, and 7 days before your trial ends. If you choose not to subscribe, your profile is deactivated but never deleted — all your reviews, photos, and data are preserved. You can reactivate at any time by choosing a subscription plan.
- What is the difference between Basic, Professional, and Premium?
- Basic gives you a full public profile, quote inbox, and customer messaging. Professional adds priority placement in search results, a featured badge, and up to 15 portfolio images. Premium gives you top-of-page placement in all searches, the Premium badge, unlimited portfolio images, and homepage featuring. See the full comparison on our Pricing page.
- Can I list my business in Spanish and English?
- Yes — your business description, service list, and affiliations can all be entered in both languages. SpainTrades automatically shows the correct language based on what the customer is browsing in.
- What documents do I need to register?
- You need your Spanish CIF (for businesses) or NIF (for sole traders), plus any relevant trade certifications or licences. For example, electricians need their REBT certification, gas engineers need their RITE certification. The more documentation you provide, the faster your verification is approved.
- How does search ranking work?
- Search results are ranked first by subscription tier (Premium → Professional → Basic), then by proximity to the customer's location, then by average rating. This means a Premium subscriber with a 4.5 rating will appear above a Basic subscriber with a 5.0 rating.
- Can I cancel my subscription at any time?
- Yes — cancel through the Stripe Customer Portal in your dashboard at any time. Your profile stays active until the end of the current billing period. There are no cancellation fees.
- Is there a setup fee or contract?
- No setup fees, no contracts, no minimum term. All plans are monthly (or annually at a discount). You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time.
Still have questions? Contact our support team
Ready to get started?
Whether you need a tradesperson or you are one — SpainTrades is the easiest way to connect.