Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Customers for gardening work are local and practical. Common sources are neighbours and other people in your street, families and retirees nearby who need help with regular maintenance, facilities managers at workplaces and small businesses, parent councils or caretakers at schools, and people who search online for gardeners near them.
Word of mouth matters in smaller towns and villages. In larger towns and across the country people also use online search and marketplaces to find someone who can come quickly and show photos of previous jobs. You will meet customers who want one-off tidy-ups, recurring maintenance and occasional projects such as planting or landscaping.
- Neighbours, friends and local community groups
- Workplaces, small businesses and schools
- Online search and local marketplaces
- Referrals and word of mouth
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by thinking in hourly and job terms. For routine work you can quote an hourly or half-day price and for one-off projects quote a job price based on an estimate of hours and materials. Be explicit about what the price includes and what would be charged extra, such as disposal of green waste or special materials.
When you first talk money, be clear and simple. Give a written estimate by message or email and say how long the quote is valid. For recurring work agree the frequency, the price per visit and how either party can cancel. Consider asking for a deposit for larger projects and a final check and payment on completion.
- Decide between hourly, per-visit or fixed-job pricing
- State what is included and what costs extra
- Provide a written estimate and validity period
- Ask for a deposit on larger jobs and final payment on completion
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first customers tend to be close contacts and simple, local jobs. Expect neighbours, family friends or people from social groups who already know you to give you a chance. Many first jobs are small and practical - lawn cuts, hedge trimming, seasonal tidy-ups, planting bulbs or helping prepare a garden for spring.
You will also meet a few customers through online listings or local Facebook groups who need a one-off clean-up. These early customers test your punctuality, communication and the quality of your work. They are useful for building short references and photos you can show to future customers.
- Neighbours and personal contacts
- One-off tidy-ups and regular maintenance
- Small projects useful for photos and references
Paperwork and getting paid as an independent person in Czechia
If you plan to accept payment regularly you should check registration and tax rules. For trade registration ask the local trade licensing office - zivnostensky urad - whether your gardening work requires a specific trade licence and how to register. For tax questions ask your local financial office - financni urad - about income reporting, issuing invoices and when you must register for VAT.
You must also check social and health insurance registration. Contact the Czech Social Security Administration - CSSZ - about your obligations as a self-employed person and contact your chosen health insurance company about registration and payments. For specific legal or tax advice consult an accountant or the relevant authority and ask about thresholds, mandatory contributions and record keeping.
On payments: Websta supports card payments processed by Stripe with payouts to your bank account. You set your own prices and are responsible for issuing receipts or invoices as required by the tax office.
- Ask the trade licensing office about trade registration and required categories
- Ask the financial office about income reporting, invoices and VAT rules
- Register with CSSZ and your public health insurer for contributions
- Keep clear records of income and expenses and consult an accountant if unsure
Common problems in the first months
New gardeners often underestimate travel and prep time and underprice jobs. Time spent moving between small jobs adds up, so include travel and setup in estimates. Another common issue is scope creep - customers asking for more work than agreed. Put changes in writing and agree additional charges.
Cash flow problems appear when payments are delayed. Minimise risk by agreeing payment terms, using deposits for larger jobs and issuing invoices promptly. Communication problems and missed appointments damage reputation quickly. Confirm appointments the day before and take photos of completed work for clarity.
- Underestimating travel and setup time
- Scope creep without written agreement
- Delayed payments and poor cash flow
- Missed appointments and unclear communication
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a single page that looks like a small website with services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. You can send that page link to anyone, and local customers can find you in the marketplace. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set your own prices.
If your profile was built from public business registers it will show the registered trade and town of a sole trader and carry a notice that the person can claim or remove the page. Use the profile to show photos of completed jobs, clear service descriptions, sample prices and the practical details customers ask about, such as what you bring and how you handle waste.
- Single page to share with customers and findable in the marketplace
- Shows services, prices, photos, contact form and online booking
- Card payments processed via Stripe and paid to your bank account
- Profiles from public registers can be claimed or removed by the sole trader
Practical checklist to start and next steps
Create a short list of services and standard prices you can actually deliver. Take before and after photos of early jobs. Ask the trade licensing office whether you need to register, ask the financial office about tax and VAT rules, and register with CSSZ and your health insurer if you will work regularly. Use a simple written estimate and confirm appointments in writing.
Start small, keep records, and use a Websta profile as a professional link you can give customers. Expect work and income to grow slowly with reliable service, clear prices and steady communication. If you have doubts about legal or tax details, consult the named authority or an accountant for answers specific to your situation.
- List services, prepare photos and sample prices
- Ask trade licensing office, financial office and CSSZ about obligations
- Use written estimates, deposits and final checks
- Use a Websta page to present services and accept card payments
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as OSVČ to do gardening jobs?
- If you take regular paid work you should check with your local trade licensing office - zivnostensky urad - about registering. For occasional, informal jobs different rules may apply. Ask the office whether your activities require a trade licence and how to register.
- Can I accept card payments from customers?
- Yes. Websta uses Stripe to process card payments and pays out to your bank account. You remain responsible for issuing receipts or invoices as required by the financial office.
- How should I charge for a one-off garden tidy?
- Decide whether to charge hourly, per half-day or a fixed job price. Base the price on expected time, materials and disposal. Give a written estimate and note extra charges for additional work.
- When do I have to register for VAT?
- VAT registration depends on turnover and other criteria. For an exact answer ask your local financial office - financni urad - about VAT thresholds and when you must charge VAT.
- Should I have insurance as a gardener?
- Consider liability insurance to cover accidental damage or injury. Check policy details and limits with an insurer and consider asking an accountant or adviser about the appropriate cover for your activities.
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.