Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from in Bulgaria
Most gardeners find paying work close to home. Neighbours and people in your building or neighbourhood are the easiest first customers - they see your work, trust a nearby person and often need small regular jobs.
Other sources are workplaces and institutions - private offices, small businesses, schools and kindergartens sometimes hire help for seasonal planting or basic maintenance. Local shops and cafes with outdoor space can also need a gardener.
Online search and local social networks are growing channels. People look for services by place and task, and platforms that list providers by service and location increase visibility. Word of mouth remains important - a satisfied client telling neighbours or colleagues generates steady, low-cost leads.
Remember customers are spread across the country - from small towns to holiday villages and city suburbs - so being clear about the area you serve matters.
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers are rarely ten strangers. Expect a mix: a neighbour who needs a one-off clean-up, a friend or family contact who wants planting done, one or two online enquiries from local Facebook groups or marketplace posts, and maybe a small business trial such as a cafe or a landlord with a rental property.
You will likely do many small, quick jobs at first - mowing a lawn, pruning, planting bulbs or seasonal cleaning. These jobs help you build photos, short testimonials and working routines that you can show to future customers.
- Neighbours and building residents
- Friends, family and their contacts
- Local businesses and property managers
- Online leads from local groups or search
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by estimating the time a job will take and the direct costs of materials. Decide if you prefer to charge by the hour, by task or by area. For repeat work many gardeners offer a simple per-visit price or a maintenance package.
When you give a price, be explicit about what is included - equipment, disposal of green waste, travel time and whether plants or materials are extra. A short written quote or a message clarifying scope prevents disputes.
Be transparent about payment terms: when you expect payment, what methods you accept and whether you issue a receipt or invoice. Keeping clear records of every job supports later tax and legal steps.
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person
Specific rules and thresholds change and depend on how you operate, so check with the relevant Bulgarian authorities before you start. Key places to ask are the National Revenue Agency - ask how to register, what invoices to issue and when VAT applies - and the National Social Security Institute - ask how to register for social security and which contributions apply.
If you plan to advertise a business name or formal trade, check the Registry Agency about registering as a sole trader or other legal form. For local rules - for example on green waste disposal or work on communal land - ask your municipal office.
On payments and banking, Websta uses Stripe to process card payments and card payments are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. Ask your bank about receiving transfers from Stripe and any fees. Keep records of all income and expenses so you can report them correctly to the authorities.
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common problems are underestimating how long jobs take, unclear job scope, and poor communication about timing or extra costs. Weather causes delays and cancellations; plan for that in your calendar and terms.
Cash handling and informal agreements can lead to missed payments. Use written confirmations, simple invoices or receipts, and agree a payment method before you start. Tool failures or not having the right equipment for a job also reduce margins - keep a basic, reliable kit at the start.
Finally, early pricing mistakes are common - quoting too low to win a job or forgetting travel and waste disposal costs. Track how long jobs actually take and adjust prices after a few weeks.
How a Websta profile fits into finding and handling clients
A Websta profile acts like a basic website for your gardening service. It lists services, prices, photos, has a contact form and online booking, and sits in a searchable marketplace where people nearby can find providers by service and place. On Websta the listing category is "gardeners" and the marketplace path is "/marketplace/garden"; countryCode is BG.
Using a single page you can send a link to anyone, show photos and prices, and let customers book or contact you. Card payments that customers make through the platform are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices. The page also helps convert online searches into direct enquiries without having to build a website.
Practical first steps and checklist
To start: define two or three core services you do well, prepare before-and-after photos, decide basic prices and payment terms, and create a Websta profile so you have a shareable page. Reach out to neighbours and local groups, keep written quotes and receipts, and check registration and social security questions with the National Revenue Agency and the National Social Security Institute.
Track jobs and time for the first months, learn from each visit, and adjust your offers and prices based on actual experience.
- Choose 2-3 services to advertise
- Take before-and-after photos
- Set clear payment and cancellation terms
- Create a Websta profile and share the link
- Check registration and social security with authorities
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register to earn money as a gardener in Bulgaria?
- Check with the National Revenue Agency about registration, issuing invoices and VAT obligations, and with the National Social Security Institute about social security registration. Specific requirements depend on how much and how often you work.
- How can I accept card payments from customers?
- You can accept card payments through platforms that integrate Stripe. On Websta card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. Ask your bank about receiving Stripe payouts and any fees.
- How should I set my first prices?
- Estimate the time a job takes and direct material costs, include travel and waste disposal, and choose per-hour or per-job pricing. Give clear written quotes and adjust after you track real job times.
- Where will I find my first clients?
- Start with neighbours, friends and colleagues, local businesses, and online groups for your town. A clear profile page that you can send to people and a presence in local marketplaces helps attract searches and inquiries.
- What should I ask the authorities when I start?
- Ask the National Revenue Agency about how to register and report income, VAT rules and invoicing; ask the National Social Security Institute about contribution rules and registration; ask the Registry Agency if you need to register a sole trader form. For municipal questions, contact your local municipality office.
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.