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.
View Verified Profiles
Read reviews, check credentials, and browse portfolio photos before you reach out.
Request a Free Quote
Describe the job, attach photos, and send a request — no phone calls needed.
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
Upload your CIF/NIF and trade documents. Our team reviews and approves your profile.
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 verified 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. Creating a free account simply lets you save favourites and track your quote requests.
- 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.
- How are tradespeople verified?
- Every tradesperson must submit their Spanish CIF/NIF business registration number and relevant trade certifications. Our admin team manually reviews each application before the profile goes live. Verified 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. You can then message each other directly through the platform to discuss the job details and agree a price. 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. Reviews are verified — only customers who have submitted a quote request to that tradesperson can leave one.
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.