Helping you hire with confidence.
When you see the Trusted by Percy badge, it means Pricing Penguin has recorded a review decision. Check the live status and ask what evidence, services and dates that review covers.
Look for the badge, and the Trust Score band.
The badge records a decision under Pricing Penguin's own scheme. Alongside it, a Trust Score shows how much checked evidence sits behind a tradesperson's profile — checked business details, checked insurance and qualifications, completed projects and published reviews.
You'll see a plain-English band — Building, Good or Excellent — not a number, and only once there's enough evidence behind it to be worth showing. A band reflects the evidence available, so it changes as that evidence does. Tradespeople cannot pay to improve one.
How We Check Tradespeople
Business Checks
Our team reviews available business evidence. This can include company details, insurance documents and trade qualifications. Pilot records may differ: ask which checks were completed and when.
Quote Evidence Review
Submitted quotes can be compared with modelled allowances for the stated work and area. A comparison supports a human review; it does not establish the fair market price of every project.
Evidence-Backed Reviews
Planned as the scheme grows: reviews marked "Verified" will have real evidence behind them — an invoice or project photos — so they're much harder to fake.
Full Transparency
Accreditation is our assessment of the available evidence — here's exactly what that covers, and what it doesn't.
What the badge means
- Pricing Penguin has recorded an accreditation decision under its own scheme.
- Ask which business and quote evidence was reviewed, its scope and its date.
- Accreditation lasts 12 months and pauses automatically if the insurance we checked expires.
What it doesn't cover
- It isn't a guarantee of the physical work — we don't inspect jobs on-site.
- It doesn't mean every future quote is checked — always get a written quote.
- It doesn't replace your own judgement, references or a written contract.
Full details of what we check and how are in our Trusted by Percy policy.
Accreditation isn't forever
Accreditation runs for 12 months and then has to be checked again. A badge also pauses on its own if the insurance certificate we checked passes its expiry date — you can see that on the verification page, which says "paused" rather than "removed". We investigate every report too. If something doesn't look right, tell us — badges can be suspended or removed to protect homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Trusted by Percy badge actually mean?
The badge records Pricing Penguin's decision under its own evidence-review scheme. Check its current register status and ask which evidence was reviewed, when and for which services. It is not external certification, government approval or a guarantee of the work.
Can a tradesperson buy a better Trust Score?
No. A Trust Score is built only from evidence — checked business details, checked insurance and qualifications, completed projects and published reviews. It cannot be bought, and it reflects the evidence available, so it changes as that evidence does. We show the band, not the number, and only once there is enough behind it to be worth showing.
What are pricing comparisons based on?
We use our own modelled rate tables and stated job scope. They are planning allowances, not independently observed local market prices. Site conditions, finish, inclusions and VAT can explain differences; a price outside the range does not itself prove overcharging.
What if an accredited tradesperson overcharges me?
Contact us with the written quote and the reason for concern. Our team can review the evidence and accreditation status. A modelled comparison alone cannot determine whether a particular quote is unreasonable.
Can I check my own quote?
Yes. Quote Check is free and compares supported work with a modelled planning range. It also highlights missing information and questions to ask; some quotes cannot be reliably compared.
Does the badge mean the work will be good?
No. We do not inspect completed work on site. Ask for relevant qualifications, current insurance and recent references, review project evidence, and agree a written scope before hiring.
Ready to plan your project?
Price your job with Percy, check any quote for free, or browse local tradespeople — accreditations and all.