How to set up a Websta profile for repair and handyman services in the UK

What sections your profile should contain

Your profile page is your storefront. It needs enough information that a customer can decide whether to contact you, but not so much that they get lost. Start with a clear description of the repairs and handyman work you do - plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, general maintenance, or whatever your specialisation is. Be specific about what you offer rather than vague.

Add a services list with descriptions of each one. Keep each description short and clear: what the service is, what it covers, and who it is for. You should also list the areas where you work - whether you cover one town, several towns, or regions across England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Photos are important. Include clear images of your work: finished jobs, the tools you use, or a photo of yourself. Customers are more likely to contact you if they can see what your work looks like.

Your contact information is essential. Websta profiles include a contact form, so customers can send you a message directly through your page. Some customers will prefer this to a phone call, especially if they want to describe their job first.

• Service descriptions and the areas you cover
• Photos of completed work
• Contact form (built into Websta profiles)
• Booking or quote request options

Booking and quote requests

Websta profiles can include an online booking system if your work runs on fixed appointments (for example, annual boiler servicing or regular maintenance). However, many repair and handyman jobs need a quote first because the work varies - a plumbing repair might take an hour or a day depending on what is wrong. You should decide which approach suits your work.

If you mostly do quote-based work, customers can request a quote through your profile. You can then contact them to discuss the job and give a price. If you have some standard services that are quick and straightforward (for example, unblocking a drain or replacing a tap washer), you might set those up for booking directly.

When customers contact you through Websta, make sure you respond quickly. A reply within a few hours makes a difference to whether they book you or contact someone else.

How customers in the United Kingdom find repair services

People searching for repair and handyman services usually start by looking for a specific trade plus their town or postcode. They search for 'plumber near me' or 'carpenter in Manchester' or similar. Websta's marketplace for repair and handyman services works the same way - customers search by service and location, and providers in that area show up.

Some customers post a task on the marketplace to describe their job, and providers make offers. Others browse profiles directly to find someone nearby. A few use online review sites to compare providers, though this is less common for local trades than it used to be.

Make sure your profile clearly states the areas you work in. If you cover multiple postcodes or regions, list them. If you are in one town but willing to travel to nearby towns, say so. This matters because a customer in Bristol will not book you if you only work in London, and you do not want to turn down local work because your profile does not mention your area.

Setting up payments and banking

Websta uses Stripe to process card payments from customers to you. When a customer pays for your work, the money goes to your own bank account. You set your own prices, and you decide whether to accept online payment, cash, or both.

Before you set up payments, make sure your bank account is in your name and that it is a business account if you are trading as a sole trader. Check with your bank about what paperwork they need. You will need to link your bank details to Stripe, and Stripe has its own process for verifying who you are.

Registering as self-employed and tax

If you work as an independent repair or handyman provider in the United Kingdom, you are self-employed. You must register with HMRC as self-employed and file a Self Assessment tax return each year, even if you do not owe tax. Registration is usually done online and does not cost anything.

You need to keep records of the money you earn and the money you spend on your work (tools, travel, equipment). At the end of each tax year (5 April), you report this to HMRC. If you are not sure about your tax obligations, contact HMRC or a local accountant - the rules vary depending on how much you earn and where you are based.

If you are already registered as self-employed with another job or business, you do not need to register again; just make sure HMRC knows about this work too.

Insurance and qualifications

Many repair and handyman jobs do not require a formal qualification, but some do. Electrical work often requires a qualification (check with your local building control authority for your area). Plumbing and gas work have specific regulations - if you install gas appliances or do certain plumbing jobs, you will need to be registered with the right body for your country (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland). Check what applies to your trade before you start advertising that service.

Public liability insurance is not legally required, but many customers will ask for it before they book you, especially for larger jobs. It covers damage to their property or injury while you are working. Get a quote from an insurance broker if you do not have it already.

What to write in the first hour

Start with your basic profile information: your name (or business name if you trade under one), the main services you offer, and the areas you cover. Write a short description of who you are and what you do - for example, 'Plumbing repairs and installations in Manchester and surrounding areas. I handle everything from burst pipes to new radiators.' Keep it plain and honest.

Add your contact details and choose whether you want customers to book directly, request a quote, or both. Upload at least two or three photos of your work - they do not have to be professional, but they should be clear.

Then list each service you offer with a short description. For example: 'Burst pipe repairs - emergency response, same-day service available' or 'Kitchen tap replacement and repair'. Do not worry about making it perfect first - you can update it later.

Once this is done, you are visible to customers in your area. You can add more details, more photos, and refine your descriptions as you get feedback and gain experience on the platform.

Languages and location

Your profile should be in English. Websta profiles in the United Kingdom are published in English, and that is what customers in the UK expect. If you serve a multilingual community in your area and are fluent in another language, you could mention this in your profile (for example, 'I speak Polish and English'), but the main profile text should be in English.

Make sure your location is accurate. If your profile is linked to a specific town or postcode, customers in other areas will be less likely to find you. If you work across a region or multiple regions, update your profile to show that clearly.