How area protection works
Once a postcode district is taken by a roofer, no other roofer in that district can use Keystone. Same for every trade. Here is exactly how it works.
Postcode district level
We protect at the SY1, NW3, M14 level. Specific and verifiable.
One trade per district
Two roofers in the same district can never both run Keystone.
Reserved while active
Your district is yours for as long as you are a client.
Worked example
A roofer in Shrewsbury covers SY1, SY2 and SY3. They reserve all three districts.
- No other roofer in SY1, SY2 or SY3 can use Keystone.
- A roofer in SY4 (a different district) is still free to apply.
- If the Shrewsbury roofer cancels, all three districts return to the open pool 30 days later.
- A plumber in SY1 is unaffected. Trades are protected independently.
How does area protection actually work?
What counts as an 'area'?
We protect at UK postcode district level (for example SY1, SY2, SY3). One trade, one district. Larger territories are available on the Premium tier.
How large is a protected territory?
A typical district covers between 8,000 and 25,000 households. Most trades cover 1 to 4 adjacent districts.
Can I cover multiple towns?
Yes. You can reserve as many adjacent districts as you serve. Each one is checked for availability before you commit.
Can a competitor in the next district still use Keystone?
Yes, but only outside your reserved districts. Your patch is yours alone.
How long is my area reserved for?
For as long as you are an active client. Cancel and your district returns to the open pool the following month.
What happens if I cancel?
30 days notice. Your data is exported, your district is released, and any competitor in that district can then apply.