Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Plumbing work in Bulgaria comes from several clear sources. Neighbours and people in your residential building often provide the first jobs after you let them know you do repairs. Landlords and tenants need quick fixes. Small businesses and shops call for urgent repairs or routine maintenance. Workplaces and schools occasionally need local contractors for small projects or emergencies.
Online search and local marketplaces bring leads if you are visible there. Word of mouth remains very strong: one reliable repair and a polite follow-up often produce more work than an advertisement. Social media groups for your town or neighbourhood can generate requests for simple jobs.
- Neighbours, friends and family
- Landlords, tenants and property managers
- Small businesses, shops and local offices
- Workplaces and schools with local maintenance needs
- Online search, local marketplaces and social media
- Word of mouth and repeat customers
How to set a first price and talk about money
For your first price, keep the approach simple: separate time, travel and materials. Decide on a basic call-out or assessment fee and an hourly or job rate, and make material costs explicit. Before starting, tell the customer how you will charge for parts and whether you expect to buy them or the customer will supply them.
When you speak about money, use clear phrases and confirm in writing when possible. Say something like: I charge X for the visit plus parts, or I estimate Y for the job and will confirm once I see the issue. If a job is likely to be larger, ask for a deposit before ordering parts or reserving time.
- Break down visit fee, labour time and parts
- Tell customers how you price parts and who buys them
- Offer a short written estimate for any job beyond a simple fix
- Ask for a deposit on larger jobs
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers will often be close to you: neighbours, friends, family contacts and co-workers. Next are people who respond to a simple local ad or a social media post. A few may come from small shops or rental properties where the owner wants quick and local service. Expect a mix of one-off small repairs and a few repeat clients if you do a good job and ask for feedback.
Treat these first customers as references. Ask permission to use a short testimonial, and keep a simple record of the work, time spent and materials used. This record helps you improve quotes and build a price list for common tasks.
- Mostly neighbours, friends and local contacts at first
- Local ads and social posts provide additional leads
- Small shops and landlords are common repeat customers
- First clients are useful as references for future work
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Bulgaria
Before you start accepting regular payments, check the formal steps with the right authorities. Contact the National Revenue Agency - НАП and ask how to register as a self-employed person or which business form suits you, what invoices or receipts you must issue, how to declare income and whether you must pay social security contributions and advance tax payments. Ask about VAT registration thresholds and when they apply.
Also ask your local municipality or regional authority whether any permits or registration are needed for carrying out plumbing work in public or certain buildings. For payment systems, note that Websta pays out card payments to your own bank account through Stripe, so check with your bank and with Stripe about account setup and receiving payouts.
- Ask НАП how to register, issue invoices and declare income
- Ask about social security contributions and advance tax payments
- Ask НАП about VAT registration thresholds and rules
- Check with the municipality about permits or local rules
- Check bank and Stripe requirements for receiving card payouts
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common problems are underquoting, not getting payment terms agreed up front, running out of spare parts, and not keeping clear records. Underquoting happens when time and unexpected work are not allowed for in the price. Missing payment agreements leave you chasing money later.
Other typical issues are scheduling conflicts if you overbook, no written estimates for larger jobs, and not asking customers for permission to charge for extra materials. Avoid these by setting simple rules for quotes, deposits, parts and a booking calendar.
- Underquoting or underestimating time and parts
- No clear payment terms or deposits
- Running out of common spare parts
- Overbooking and scheduling problems
- Not keeping records of jobs and invoices
How a Websta profile fits into your work
A Websta profile is a single page you can send to a customer that looks like a small website. You can list services, show photos of your work, add prices and accept online booking. The Websta marketplace also lets people nearby find providers by service and place and post tasks that providers can respond to.
Card payments from customers on Websta are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your prices. Use the profile as a professional reference to share after a job or when responding to an online inquiry. It does not replace legal registration or tax steps described above.
- A single page to send to customers with services and photos
- Online booking and a contact form to capture leads
- Marketplace where local people post tasks you can offer on
- Card payments paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- You remain responsible for registration and tax obligations
Practical next steps
Start small and build. Make a short price list for common tasks, pack a set of spare parts for typical fixes, and tell neighbours and local business owners that you are available. Register or check registration requirements with НАП and your municipality before taking ongoing paid work. Set simple payment terms and ask for small deposits on larger jobs.
Create a Websta profile with clear service descriptions and photos of actual work. Use that page when you quote and to accept bookings and card payments. Keep records of all income and expenses to make tax reporting and planning easier as your work grows.
- Prepare a short, clear price list for common repairs
- Talk to НАП about registration, invoicing and taxes
- Tell neighbours, post in local groups and ask for referrals
- Set payment terms and ask for deposits on larger jobs
- Create a Websta profile and connect your bank via Stripe
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a licence to work as a plumber in Bulgaria?
- Requirements can vary. Contact your local municipality and ask whether any permits or professional registrations are required for plumbing work in your area. Also ask НАП if specific business registration or qualifications are needed for the kinds of jobs you plan to do.
- How should I accept card payments from customers?
- Websta handles card payments and pays out to your own bank account through Stripe. Check with your bank and Stripe about account setup and fees. Also ask НАП how to record card payments in your bookkeeping and what documentation is required.
- How do I set my first prices without undercharging?
- Price work by separating visit fees, hourly or job time and parts. Estimate time, add the cost of common parts and include travel or call-out fee. Test the list on a few jobs and adjust. Keep written estimates for larger or unclear jobs.
- Can I start while keeping my current job?
- Yes. Many plumbers begin part time. Make sure to check tax and social security rules with НАП so you understand reporting needs and any effects on your current employment status.
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.