A plumber in Prague charges 600–900 CZK/hour. A handyman, 400–700. But you'd struggle to find those numbers written down anywhere, because Czech providers almost never publish prices online. That information gap has a cost, and expats are the ones who pay it: routinely 30–50% above the local going rate, simply because they have no easy way to know what that rate is.
This guide gives you the actual numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Handymen run 400–700 CZK/hr; licensed plumbers 600–900 CZK/hr; electricians 700–1,000 CZK/hr for standard weekday work
- Emergency and weekend callouts add a 50–100% surcharge on top of the standard rate, plus a fixed callout fee of 500–800 CZK
- Czech unemployment is 3.3% (ČSÚ, Q1 2026), skilled trades are genuinely busy, so good providers fill up fast
- Get three quotes for anything over 3,000 CZK, always in writing before work starts
Why Prague Service Prices Are So Hard to Find
The Czech trades market doesn't work the way many newcomers expect. There's no single trusted directory of tradespeople, no app with transparent pre-listed rates. What exists instead is a two-tier pricing reality: the price someone with a Czech network pays, and the price charged to someone who looks uncertain.
The language barrier makes this worse than it sounds. You can't cross-reference a Czech quote on a Czech forum. Asking in expat Facebook groups brings anecdotes ranging from "I paid almost nothing" to "I was completely ripped off", both of which may be true, for different providers, in different circumstances. The actual market sits somewhere in a wide middle band that this guide maps out.
Let's be honest about who pays the "uncertain" price most often: newcomers who don't speak Czech, don't know the going rate, and can't easily cross-check a quote. Plenty of expats report being charged more for the same job, from a haircut to a boiler repair, and people negotiating on their own, especially women, often describe the widest gap of all. The assumption underneath it, that every expat earns a large salary, is only partly true. Some do. Many are getting by on a modest income while paying Prague's steep rents, usually without the owned home that takes the pressure off a lot of local households. Knowing the real numbers is how you stop being the easy mark.
Add to that a structural shortage. Czech unemployment sits at 3.3% (Labour Force Survey, Q1 2026), the market is tight, good tradespeople are booked out weeks ahead, and prices have risen 5–8% annually since 2023. Knowing the benchmarks isn't optional. It's how you avoid being the margin.
Handymen: Your First Call for General Jobs
Typical rate: 400–700 CZK/hour
For flat-pack assembly, painting, wall mounting, minor fixes, grouting, or anything that doesn't require a trade licence, a general handyman (řemeslník) is the right call. They're faster to book than licensed specialists and significantly cheaper.
The rate itself rarely determines whether you're getting value. Job time does. A slow handyman at 450 CZK/hr costs more than a fast one at 650 CZK/hr for the same outcome. Always ask for a time estimate before work starts, and ask it in writing.
Three things to confirm before booking:
- Callout minimum. Most Prague handymen charge for a minimum of 2 hours regardless of how long the job takes. Factor this in when comparing quotes.
- Materials billing. Unless a quote explicitly states materials are included, assume they're extra. Ask upfront, because the surprise invoice after the job is done is avoidable.
- Estimate, not guess. "We'll see when we get there" is a red flag. A professional gives you a range before arriving. Anyone who prices by reading your face is pricing you as a tourist.
Licensed Trades: Plumbers and Electricians
Czech law draws a line most expats don't know exists.
Electrical work involving live circuits, fuse boxes, or rewiring must be done by a licensed electrician (elektrotechnická způsobilost). Gas line and boiler work requires a certified gas engineer (topenář). A skilled handyman cannot legally sign off on these jobs, and more importantly, your building insurance may void a claim if unlicensed work caused the damage.
Plumbers (Instalatéři): 600–900 CZK/hour
Beyond the hourly rate, most plumbing jobs carry a fixed callout fee of 500–800 CZK, charged before a single minute of labour. Emergency call-outs (evenings, weekends, public holidays) add a 50–100% surcharge on top.
What does that mean in practice? A Saturday morning burst pipe costs more than you'd expect.
For a dripping tap or running toilet, budget 1,200–2,500 CZK all-in. Boiler servicing runs 1,500–3,000 CZK. These are weekday, standard-hours figures, so add the weekend/evening multiplier if timing isn't flexible.
Electricians (Elektrikáři): 700–1,000 CZK/hour
Electricians command the highest rates of any common trade. Emergency rate rises to 1,000–1,500 CZK/hour. After any significant electrical work, ask for written confirmation that the installation complies with ČSN EN 60364, the Czech electrical standard. Reputable electricians provide this without being asked.
Verify any trade licence at rzp.cz, the public Czech Trade Inspection Authority register. Enter the provider's name or company number. It takes thirty seconds and filters out the grey market instantly.
Home Cleaning: Agency vs. Individual
Typical rate: 300–500 CZK/hour
Most expats settle into a two-week cleaning rhythm. The rate depends on whether you book through a cleaning agency (slightly higher, but they handle absences and replacements) or hire an individual directly (lower rate, but you manage the relationship yourself).
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Regular cleaning, per hour | 300–500 CZK |
| End-of-tenancy deep clean, 1BR flat | 2,500–4,500 CZK |
| End-of-tenancy deep clean, 2BR flat | 4,000–7,000 CZK |
| Window cleaning (standard flat) | 800–1,500 CZK |
One Prague-specific data point worth knowing: after the city tightened short-term rental rules in 2023–2024, many cleaning companies that had served Airbnb operators pivoted to long-term residential clients. The result is a more competitive market than a few years ago, good for residents booking regular slots.
Language Tutors and Instructors
Czech language tutor (private, for expats): 300–600 CZK/hour
Tutors who specialise in teaching Czech to English speakers charge more than general Czech teachers, and the premium is justified. The methodology is genuinely different, you're learning the language in English metalanguage, which requires a specific kind of bilingual pedagogy. Group classes at language schools run 200–350 CZK per session.
Czech Republic ranks #23 globally in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index (score 582, vs. a global average of 488). Proficiency is concentrated in Prague's centre and in younger age groups. Get thirty minutes outside the tourist district, or deal with tradespeople and government offices, and even basic Czech pays dividends far out of proportion to the effort invested.
| Tutor type | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Czech for expats (private) | 300–600 CZK/hr |
| English for business (Czech learner) | 400–700 CZK/hr |
| Personal trainer | 700–1,400 CZK/session |
| Music / art instructor | 400–700 CZK/hr |
Translation Services: What Soudní Překlad Actually Means
Certified translation: 450–700 CZK per normostrana
Normostrana is the Czech billing unit for translation, 1,800 characters including spaces, not a physical page. Most official documents run one to three normostrany.
For any government submission (visa application, foreign diploma recognition, birth certificate, driving licence exchange) you need a soudní překlad, a court-certified translation. These carry the translator's official stamp and register number and are the only translations Czech authorities legally accept.
Standard (non-certified) translations for personal use run 280–450 CZK per normostrana. Rush surcharges (24-hour turnaround) add 30–50% to the base rate.
Find certified translators on the Ministry of Justice register at justice.cz → translators and interpreters. Anyone not on that register cannot issue a legally valid soudní překlad, regardless of how professional they appear.
Moving Help: What Actually Moves the Price
Typical cost, 1BR flat move within Prague: 3,000–6,000 CZK
Prague moving companies price by the hour, with a minimum charge (typically 2,500 CZK) plus a per-hour rate that varies by the size of the job, from 1,100 CZK/hr for a small apartment to 1,700 CZK/hr for a larger household. Published price lists exist (STĚHOVÁNÍ Praha is a good reference point), but the final invoice depends heavily on what actually happens on the day.
Variables that shift the price significantly:
- Lift or stairs? No lift means labour time escalates quickly, especially above the third floor.
- Distance within Prague. Cross-city moves in Prague traffic cost more than moving within the same district.
- Bulky or specialty items. Pianos, large safes, and oversized wardrobes need specialist equipment and extra crew.
- Disassembly and reassembly. Often quoted separately, confirm before booking.
Book at least 1–2 weeks ahead for weekday slots. Always walk through a written inventory of items before the truck leaves. It's the only proof of condition in a dispute.
Three Rules That Stop You Overpaying
These apply to every trade, every service, every time:
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Get three quotes for anything over 3,000 CZK. Prague has enough providers that quotes diverge meaningfully, not by 10% but often by 100%. The range in this guide tells you which quotes are real and which are exploiting the information gap.
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Ask for the estimate in writing before work starts. An email or WhatsApp message is legally sufficient. It creates a record if scope starts to drift, and in Prague, scope drift is the most common way jobs end up costing twice the verbal quote.
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Use platforms where providers have public profiles and reviews. When a provider's reputation is visible before you hire them, they price closer to market rates. The accountability changes the dynamic entirely.
FAQ
Is tipping normal for service workers in Prague?
Not expected, but appreciated. Rounding up by 5–10% is common for cleaning and delivery; less so for skilled trades. Cash is preferred when you do tip.
Should I pay the full amount in cash upfront?
A deposit of typically 30–50% of the quoted amount for materials on larger jobs is a normal and accepted practice. Full cash payment before any work has started is a red flag, full stop. Insist on a receipt regardless of how you pay.
Why did I get quotes that varied by 3× for the same job?
This is real and common. Some of it reflects genuine quality differences; some is market segmentation (pricing by customer segment rather than job complexity). The ranges in this guide tell you when a quote is within market and when you should walk away.
Are Prague service prices still rising?
Yes. Czech inflation and record-low unemployment have pushed trade rates up roughly 5–8% per year since 2023. Budget a little above last year's figures, and expect the most sought-after tradespeople to be booked further ahead than they used to be.
Find the Right Provider at Market Rate
Knowing the benchmark is half the job. Finding someone reliable at that price is the other half.
Tool Connect is a Prague marketplace built for international residents, every listed provider has a verified trade licence, reviews from other English-speaking clients, and a transparent profile. Browse by service type and contact providers directly.
Official Data & Sources
All price ranges in this guide are based on publicly available data collected in June 2026:
| Data point | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Czech unemployment rate | 3.3% | Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), Labour Force Survey (LFSS), Q1 2026 |
| Residential cleaning, Prague | 300–500 CZK/hr | CleanWhale.cz, Prague cleaning market analysis |
| Moving services, Prague (small apt) | from 1,500 CZK/hr, min. 2,500 CZK | STĚHOVÁNÍ Praha published price list |
| Certified translation base rate | from 280 CZK/normostrana + 200 CZK stamp | AC Překlady, Presto language services |
| Private Czech tutor (Prague) | from 250–560 CZK/hr | TUTOROO Prague, Presto škola |
| Personal trainer session (Prague) | 400–1,400 CZK/session | Athletic Life, Euforie Fitness |
| English proficiency ranking | #23 globally, score 582 | EF English Proficiency Index 2025, Czechia fact sheet |
| Plumber / electrician callout rates | market estimates based on employment wage data (avg. 315–376 CZK/hr employed) | ERI SalaryExpert 2026; callout rates are not uniformly published |
| Certified translators register | n/a | Czech Ministry of Justice, justice.cz |
| Trade licence verification | n/a | Czech Trade Inspection Authority, rzp.cz |