How to find jobs as a self-employed tradesperson in Czechia

A good tradesperson rarely runs out of work – the hard part is getting customers to hear about you. Especially when you are just starting out as self-employed or want to take on a few extra jobs next to your main work. Here are seven ways that work, and what makes a listing customers actually reply to.

1. Referrals and regular customers

The cheapest job is the one someone recommends you for. After a job well done, feel free to ask the customer whether they could recommend you to neighbours or friends, and leave your contact – a business card or a link to your listing. Get in touch with regular customers when the season for the work you do for them is coming (inspections, garden maintenance, boiler service).

2. A listing on maps

People search for “electrician Brno” or “plumber near me”, and the first thing they see is businesses on the map. Create a free profile on Firmy.cz (Seznam) and a Google Business Profile, fill in your trade, the area you cover and your phone number, and add photos of finished work. Ask for a review after every job – even a few reviews make a big difference to trust.

3. Lead portals

Lead portals bring customers who already know what they want. They differ mainly in what you pay for: per lead, a commission on the job, or a flat fee.

4. Local groups on social media

In groups for your town or neighbourhood people often ask “does anyone know someone who…”. Reply to the point and help with advice too, not just with advertising – group admins usually delete ads, but people remember someone useful.

5. Working with other tradespeople

A tiler needs a plumber, a painter needs an electrician. Agree with tradespeople in related trades to pass jobs to each other. It works both ways, and customers appreciate not having to look for the next person themselves.

6. Building managers and businesses

Owners' associations, property management companies and small businesses need maintenance regularly. One such partnership means repeat jobs and less time spent looking for new customers.

7. Your own website – later

You do not need your own website at the start: a map listing and a listing on a portal do the same job. A website pays off once you have photos, reviews and a steady offer to show on it.

How to fill in your listing so customers contact you

A customer usually compares several tradespeople and writes to the one who makes it clear straight away that they will do exactly what is needed, for how much and when. So:

• List specific jobs. “Tap replacement, toilet cistern repair” says more than “plumbing” – the customer finds their job in the list.
• State your hourly rate. The customer knows the price up front, and those who find it too expensive will not contact you. How to work out your rate is in the article How to set your hourly rate.
• Add photos of your work. Real finished jobs, not pictures from the internet – they show the customer how you work.
• Say where you travel. The customer sees straight away whether you will come to them.
• Reply quickly. Whoever replies first often gets the job.
• Collect reviews. Ask for one after every job – they convince new customers more than anything you write about yourself.

How it works on Rychlé Práce

On Rychlé Práce you fill in a listing with your hourly rate and types of work, customers find you by town and type of work, and requests come straight to you. The service takes no commission on your jobs and you do not pay for leads. The first 180 days of listing are free, then it costs 150 CZK per 30 days.