How much does a hair salon cost?

Location

The cost of commercial spaces varies greatly depending on the area. Salons in city centers or busy shopping districts can be excellent for attracting new clients and earning revenue, but the rent is often high. For a new stylist, it might make the most sense to start a salon at home, perhaps in an unused room or even a converted garage.

Location – A Useful Tip

Some salons offer the option to rent a single workstation, allowing you to pay only part of the rent and afford a spot in a city center or busy shopping area. Most salons of this type can be found via Facebook groups or Google.

Equipment and Furnishings

The cost of purchasing styling chairs, wash stations, mirrors, and other equipment will vary based on brand, quality, and how many workstations you need. I recommend setting a budget of around €3,000 for buying new furniture and equipment. Brands like Comfortel Furniture and NewLite are an ideal choice if you’re focused on affordability without sacrificing quality.

Cash vs. Financing

Many choose to finance their furniture to avoid paying the full amount upfront. Trust me – It's not as scary as it sounds.

Branding and Marketing

The costs of establishing and marketing your salon, including signage, promotional materials, and building an online presence, should also be considered. Being active on social media, using a simple road sign, and asking family and friends to spread the word can go a long way. A good tip is to offer existing clients a 10% discount every time they refer a new client to you. Please don't pay big companies to do your marketing. They are used to work directly to consumers.

How to do you own marketing

Ask yourself:

• Where are my potential clients?
• How do I get my salon and name pushed out, so they see me?
• If I was my own customer, what would make me go to my salon?

Personnel Costs

If you plan to hire staff, consider salary costs, insurance, and other personnel expenses. If you have a strong network of stylists, you can collaborate to share costs and a space. Most people start solo to get a feel for self-employment.

Support

If you’d like assistance – completely free – you can contact me below. I’d love to help you bring your salon dreams to life and even help calculate the cost of your dream salon.

Final Thoughts

It’s nearly impossible to define a standard cost for a salon. It’s like asking, “Which car is best?” – it depends entirely on your plans. A Mini Cooper is fantastic fun to drive but isn’t very practical if you’re taking the whole family to Italy.