Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers for electrical work come from
Most early paid work comes from people and organisations you already know or meet in daily life. Neighbours, family and friends are common first customers because they trust you and call for small fixes. Colleagues at work, landlords, and managers of apartment buildings or local shops are also likely sources.
Local workplaces, schools and small businesses need maintenance and occasional installations. Many of these customers prefer someone nearby who can respond quickly. Word of mouth still matters most in smaller towns, while online search and marketplace postings attract people who specifically look for an electrician at short notice.
Online channels include search engines, local Facebook groups, classified sites, and specialised marketplaces where people post tasks. If you are visible in more than one channel you can reach different types of customers - immediate emergency callers, planned-installation customers, and recurring maintenance clients.
- Neighbours, friends and family - easiest first calls
- Colleagues, landlords, property managers - repeat small contracts
- Local shops, schools and small businesses - maintenance and installs
- Online search and marketplaces - task-based, often first-time customers
- Word of mouth - critical for steady local work
How to set a first price and talk about money
Set a first price that covers your costs, time and a small margin for unexpected items. If you do not want to quote hours, give fixed prices for common small jobs and an hourly rate for diagnostics or uncertain work. Include travel, basic consumables and a minimum charge for short visits.
When you talk about money, be clear and short. Give a written estimate or a text message with the price components - labour, parts, travel, VAT if applicable - and how you will take payment. For larger jobs ask for a deposit or staged payments in writing. If you are not sure about tax rules for invoices or receipts, tell the customer you will issue an official document and check exact obligations with the authorities.
- Decide fixed prices for common tasks plus an hourly rate
- Include travel and consumables in any quote
- Provide written estimates and ask for deposits on larger jobs
- Be transparent about payment methods and paperwork
What the first ten customers usually look like
Typical first ten customers are local and low-risk: a neighbour who needs a ceiling light changed, a friend with a short circuit, a landlord fixing an outlet, a small shop needing a new sign connection, or someone who posted a quick task online. Jobs tend to be short, low-complexity and focused on visible fixes rather than large installations.
Expect repeat small jobs from the same people if you are reliable. Early customers test punctuality, cleanliness and communication more than technical skill. Keep records of contacts and simple receipts so you can follow up and ask for referrals after completing a job.
- Mostly small, quick tasks - lighting, sockets, troubleshooting
- Local residents and small local businesses
- Opportunity for repeat business if you are reliable
- Early jobs help you build estimates, photos and short testimonials
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Croatia
Do not assume informal payments are safe in the long run. Check with the Croatian Tax Administration - Porezna uprava - what you need to issue: receipts or invoices, VAT registration thresholds, and how to report income from occasional jobs. Ask Porezna uprava whether your planned activity needs registration as a trade or other business form, and what records to keep.
Contact the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute - Hrvatski zavod za mirovinsko osiguranje (HZMO) - and the Croatian Health Insurance Fund - HZZO - to understand mandatory contributions depending on whether you work as an employee, sole trader or under another legal form. For questions about trade registration or qualifications required for electrical work, check with your local trade office and the Hrvatska obrtnička komora (Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts). Ask them which permits or certificates are needed to work independently and whether inspections apply.
- Ask Porezna uprava about issuing receipts/invoices and VAT rules
- Ask HZMO and HZZO about social and health contribution rules
- Check with local trade office and Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts about registration and required qualifications
- Keep clear records of jobs, receipts, parts and bank transfers
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common problems are underpricing, poor time estimates, lax record-keeping and unclear payment arrangements. Underpricing harms your ability to cover taxes and contributions. Overcommitting your time or accepting uncertain payment methods can leave you with unpaid work.
Other issues include safety paperwork and missing permits for larger jobs, not having proper insurance, and poor communication that damages reputation. Plan for slower weeks, set boundaries about emergency calls, and keep a reliable receipt/invoice system whether you receive cash or card.
- Underpricing and not covering contributions
- No written estimates or receipts - causes disputes
- Taking complex jobs without required permits or insurance
- Inconsistent communication and scheduling
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile acts as a single public page you can send to customers and share in messages or social media. The profile shows your services, any prices you want to publish, photos of your work, a contact form and online booking - and connects to a marketplace where people nearby can post tasks. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe; you set your prices.
Use the profile to display clear service descriptions and simple starting prices, upload photos of recent work, and enable online booking for predictable slots. Treat the page as a professional business card - link it in messages, on printed flyers and in local groups. Keep the profile information accurate and up to date so customers see realistic availability and prices.
- One sharable page with services, photos, contact form and booking
- Visible in a marketplace where people nearby post tasks
- Card payments routed through Stripe to your bank account
- You set the prices and control the information on the page
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register to do electrician work in Croatia?
- It depends on the frequency and type of work. Check with Porezna uprava about tax reporting and with your local trade office or the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts about whether you must register as a sole trader or other form and what certificates are required.
- How should I price my first jobs?
- Cover costs, travel, parts and your time. Use fixed prices for common small tasks and an hourly rate for uncertain jobs. Provide written estimates and include a minimum charge for short visits.
- Can I accept card payments through Websta?
- Yes. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices and control payment options on your profile.
- What paperwork should I give customers?
- Issue an official receipt or invoice according to Porezna uprava rules. If unsure which document applies to your situation, ask Porezna uprava and keep copies of estimates, receipts and bank records for tax purposes.
- How do I find reliable first customers?
- Start with neighbours, friends, colleagues and local businesses. Use a Websta profile and local online groups, share your page, and ask satisfied customers for referrals. Focus on prompt communication, clear prices and small, well-executed jobs to build trust.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.