Founding experts wanted
Your experience is worth $75–$150 an hour.
Coach homeowners through their projects over live video, on your schedule, from anywhere. We're signing up our founding experts now, electricians first.
Founding pay rates, subject to change before launch.
What you'll earn
Paid by the hour, for every connected minute
Your tier is set by years in the trade. Founding experts earn the full rate from day one.
Professional
5–10 years in the trade
$75/hour
- $1.25 for every connected minute
- Full rate for founding experts
- Paid out through Stripe, weekly or on request
Advanced
10+ years in the trade
$110/hour
- $1.83 for every connected minute
- Full rate for founding experts
- Paid out through Stripe, weekly or on request
Distinguished
25+ years in the trade
$150/hour
- $2.50 for every connected minute
- Full rate for founding experts
- Paid out through Stripe, weekly or on request
Founding pay rates, subject to change. Payouts through Stripe; Stripe issues your 1099.
Why tradespeople are joining
A new way to work your trade
Top pay from day one
Our first 500 founding experts earn their tier's full rate. No bidding, no lead fees.
Work from anywhere
Take calls from the truck, the shop or the couch. No travel, no fuel, no wasted estimates.
Set your own hours
Go available when you want. Evenings, weekends, between jobs, or full days.
Build your book of business
Customers you coach may want you on site for the big stuff. We welcome that.
Mentor the next generation
Help ambitious DIYers and apprentices learn the trade the right way.
Retired? Keep your hand in
Put a lifetime of experience to work, without the ladders and the early mornings.
Getting started
Becoming a founding expert
Join the list
Tell us your trade, experience and license status. Takes two minutes.
Get verified
Identity verification plus a state license lookup for licensed trades.
Set up your profile
Specialties, how you help DIYers, service area, availability and portfolio.
Start taking calls
Founding experts go live first, in our invite-only beta.
Your profile
Show homeowners exactly how you can help
Your profile is built around what DIYers actually need to know, designed with working tradespeople.
- Trade specialties and the services you cover
- How you help: advise, supervise, check work, final testing
- Years in the trade, licenses and certifications
- Service area and availability
- Teaching style and languages
- Safety practices and what a pro must handle on site
- Portfolio photos, plus your Google or Yelp rating if you'd like to show it
Know someone great?
Invite a fellow tradesperson.
After you join, you'll get a personal invite link to share with people you'd vouch for. Invitations go to the front of the approval list.
Business accounts
Run a trade business with several experts?
Put your whole team under one company name, see everyone's calls and earnings in one place, and route payouts to the business. Business accounts are coming. Tell us about your company.
Questions
Tradesperson FAQ
How much will I earn?
Founding pay is $75 an hour for Professional experts (5–10 years), $110 for Advanced (10+ years) and $150 for Distinguished (25+ years), paid for every connected minute. Founding pay rates are subject to change before launch.
What is a founding expert?
Founding experts are the first tradespeople on the platform. The first 500 earn their tier's full rate from day one, go live first in our invite-only beta, and help shape how Call the Trades works.
How do I get paid?
Payouts go to your bank account through Stripe. Choose weekly automatic payouts, or request a payout once your earnings clear (about 48–72 hours). Stripe handles bank details, identity checks and your 1099.
What do I need to join?
Experience in your trade, identity verification and, for licensed trades like electrical and plumbing, a valid state license. We'll confirm the full requirements with founding experts before launch.
I'm retired. Can I still join?
Yes, and we'd love to have you. Retired and semi-retired tradespeople have exactly the experience homeowners are looking for.
Can I give a customer free time?
Yes. You can pause billing at any time to give a customer free minutes, whether it's building a relationship or making things right.
Do customers get rated too?
Yes. Ratings go both ways, so experts can see how customers have treated other experts, including no-shows.
Can I show my existing Google or Yelp reviews?
You'll be able to show your rating from other platforms on your profile, or start fresh with Call the Trades reviews. It's your choice.
I run a company with several technicians. Can we join as a business?
Business accounts are on the way: your team under one company name, with calls and earnings in one place. Contact us and choose "Trade business" as the topic.
Join the waitlist
Become a founding expert.
We're opening to homeowners once 200 founding experts are ready. Get in early, lock in full pay, and help shape the platform.
- Early access before the public launch
- Free intro minutes on your first call with each expert
- No spam. Just launch news, a few times a year
You're on the list.
Thanks! We'll email you as soon as experts are taking calls in your area. Your first call with each expert starts with free minutes.
Welcome, founding expert. We'll be in touch about verification and early access, and you'll be among the first to set up your profile.