By Admin. Updated 8:58 a.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A new online platform aimed at making it easier for Vincentians to find reliable skilled workers has already attracted nearly 200 local tradespeople just two months after its public launch.
SVGTradesmen, created by attorney and entrepreneur Chris Fraser, connects members of the public with trusted tradespeople across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while also allowing users to view photographs of previous work and customer reviews before hiring.
The platform was developed after Fraser experienced difficulty finding a plumber to fix a leak at his home.
“I was hunting through Facebook and asking friends trying to find a plumber, and I thought to myself, nah, there must be a better way. That’s how SVGTradesmen was born,” Fraser told One News SVG in an exclusive interview.
The website, https://svgtradesmen.com/, currently features tradespeople in nearly 40 categories, including electricians, plumbers, masons, carpenters and construction workers, as well as more specialised services such as electronic repair, upholstery, locksmith services, washing machine repair and pool servicing.
According to Fraser, the platform now includes tradespeople operating in more than 75 locations across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the Grenadines.
Fraser said the platform is free for members of the public to use and is currently accessible through its website, while an automated WhatsApp assistant and mobile application are expected to launch soon.
He explained that each tradesperson is personally interviewed before being listed.
“I speak personally with every tradeperson. I enquire about the nature of their business, level of independence and examine photos and videos of their past work,” Fraser said.
The platform also recently introduced a “project fit” feature, allowing users to see the type and scale of projects a tradesperson is best suited to handle.
Fraser said customer reviews and photo submissions are designed to help the public assess a tradesperson’s competence before making hiring decisions.
Tradespeople who have received reviews are awarded a green “Trusted” badge on the platform. Fraser also revealed that SVGTradesmen is working with the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information to expand certification opportunities for workers.
“We’re in talks with the ministry to give access to CVQ and NVQ training to members who haven’t yet gotten their certifications. Together, we want to have every listed member CVQ/NVQ certified,” he said.
He added that the platform plans to introduce official CVQ and NVQ certification badges in the near future.
SVGTradesmen was officially launched to the public on March 21, 2026, and Fraser said public response has exceeded expectations.
“The reception from the public has been amazing. We constantly get messages and comments about the need for and usefulness of the platform,” he said.
According to Fraser, the website has already recorded more than 180,000 visits and is averaging approximately 75,000 visits monthly.
The platform is also transitioning from free listings to a paid membership model for tradespeople. Fraser said membership will cost EC$200 annually or EC$150 for six months, following a one-month grace period.
Looking ahead, Fraser said the long-term vision for SVGTradesmen is not only to become the primary place where people can find and hire skilled workers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but also to support tradespeople through partnerships, certification opportunities and business support services.
“We hope to have an award ceremony to celebrate our skilled tradespeople,” Fraser added.
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