Plumber in New Zealand: set up your Websta profile

What your profile page should show

Your Websta profile is a simple web page that acts as your online office. Customers in New Zealand who search for plumbing services on the Websta marketplace can find you, see your details, and get in touch.

Start with the core sections. Add a clear description of who you are and what you do - for example, residential plumbing, commercial work, repairs, installations, or maintenance. List the services you offer. Include photos: a profile photo of yourself, photos of your work, and photos of common jobs you do. Add a contact form so people can send you a message. If you want to take bookings directly on the site, set up online booking; otherwise, you can ask customers to request a quote and then contact them to discuss the job.

Because plumbing in New Zealand varies by region - a plumber in Auckland may work on different systems than one in a rural area - be specific about the locations you cover and the types of work you do. If you travel to customer sites, say so. If you only work in certain towns or suburbs, mention that too.

• Profile photo and photos of your completed work
• A short description of your plumbing background and services
• List of services (repairs, installations, maintenance, emergency calls, etc.)
• The areas or regions you cover
• Contact form for inquiries
• Online booking option or quote request form
• Your qualifications or certifications if you have them

Photos and what to show

Photos matter because customers cannot see the quality of your work unless you show them. A good profile includes at least three to five images. Start with a clear profile photo of yourself - a professional headshot or a photo of you on a job site works well. Then add before-and-after photos of plumbing work you have done: a bathroom renovation, a leak repair, a new installation. Show real jobs, not stock images. If you work on common tasks like tap repairs, pipe fitting, or hot water cylinder installation, include a photo of that work.

Photos should be in focus and taken in good light. They do not need to be expensive or professionally shot, but they should be clear enough that someone can see what you have done. If you do emergency plumbing call-outs, consider a photo that shows your response time or your van with your name on it.

How people in New Zealand search for plumbers

On Websta, the marketplace is organized by service type and location. Customers browse by searching for plumbing in their town or area, then look at available profiles. They may search for general plumbing services, or they may look for something specific like drain cleaning, burst pipe repair, or bathroom fitting.

Customers in New Zealand often search by suburb or city name along with the type of job - for example, plumbing in Auckland, emergency plumber in Wellington, or pipe repair in Christchurch. Make sure your profile clearly states the areas you serve. If you only operate in certain regions, say so. If you cover a wide area, say that too.

Some customers will contact several plumbers at once to compare availability and pricing. Others will call the first one who seems to cover their area. Your profile should make it easy for them to reach you quickly.

Language and location settings

Publish your profile in English. That is the working language for business in New Zealand. If you work with communities where te reo Maori is spoken and you are comfortable providing a translation, you could add that, but it is not required. Keep the main content clear and straightforward so that anyone searching for a plumber can understand what you do.

Set your location to the towns or regions where you work. You can add multiple locations if you travel across regions. This helps the Websta marketplace show your profile to customers near you.

Being self-employed and registered in New Zealand

As a self-employed plumber in New Zealand, you have certain obligations. You must register for GST (Goods and Services Tax) if your turnover exceeds the threshold set by Inland Revenue - check the current threshold with Inland Revenue New Zealand. You must keep records of your income and expenses for tax purposes and file a tax return each year.

You do not need a special license to work as a plumber in New Zealand, but if you want to install water heating systems or carry out work on specified systems, there are building code requirements you should check with your local council or the Department of Building and Housing. Liability insurance is not legally required but is strongly recommended if you are working in people's homes.

Payments from Websta come through Stripe directly to your bank account. Keep a record of all income for tax purposes. If you are not sure about your tax obligations or insurance requirements, speak to an accountant or contact Inland Revenue directly.

What to write in the first hour

You do not need a perfect profile on day one. Start with the basics and update it as you go. In the first hour, write a short description of yourself - your experience, the type of work you do, and the areas you cover. For example: 'I am a plumber with 10 years of experience doing residential plumbing and maintenance work in the Waikato region. I handle repairs, installations, and emergency call-outs.' Keep it short and clear.

List your main services. If you do general plumbing, say so. If you specialize in certain areas like bathroom fitting, pipe work, or drain cleaning, list those. Add your contact details or make sure the contact form is set up. Upload one or two photos if you have them ready - they do not all need to be perfect to start. Then publish your profile. You can add more photos and details later as you take more jobs and build your portfolio.

Payment and booking

Websta uses Stripe to process card payments. When a customer pays for your service through your profile, the money goes to your own bank account. You set your own prices for each service you offer. Before you publish your profile, decide how you want to handle booking: you can enable online booking if you want customers to book time slots, or you can ask for quote requests so you can discuss the job before confirming the price and date.

Many plumbers prefer quote requests for larger jobs because the price varies depending on what needs to be done. You can handle quotes through the contact form or ask customers to call you. Make sure your response time is quick - customers looking for a plumber often need one soon.