Start a hair salon

Typically $2,000 to $15,000 to start, from lean to comfortable. It can start part-time, around another job.

Licenses and permits

Information, not legal advice

This is general information to help you research, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by location, so confirm with each issuing authority. Allpage doesn’t guarantee it’s complete or that your business is compliant.

The work itself usually needs a state license before you take clients. What applies depends on your state and city. Pick your state for what businesses like it typically need there, with each agency’s page.

What it takes

To start: Typically $2,000 to $15,000 to start, from lean to comfortable.
Time: It can start part-time, around another job.
License to practice: The work itself usually needs a state license before you take clients.
How it charges: Per service, with color and treatments priced by time.

A cosmetology license from your state
A chair or suite to rent, or your own salon
Tools, products and liability insurance

What goes wrong early

Licensing school before paid clients
Booth or suite rent every week
Product costs

Steps to start

Check the licenses and permits. The work itself usually needs a state license before you take clients. What applies depends on your state and city: pick your state for what businesses like it typically need there, with each agency’s page. This isn’t legal advice.
Get what you need to start. A cosmetology license from your state. A chair or suite to rent, or your own salon. Tools, products and liability insurance. Typically $2,000 to $15,000 to start, from lean to comfortable.
Set your prices. Per service, with color and treatments priced by time.
Set up your website and bookings. Answer a few questions and Allpage drafts your website (services and prices, a look book and online booking) and turns on review requests after visits, booking reminders, rebooking reminders, win-back and birthday notes. You approve anything that matters.

What Allpage sets up

Answer a few questions and Allpage drafts your website (services and prices, a look book and online booking) and turns on review requests after visits, booking reminders, rebooking reminders, win-back and birthday notes. You approve anything that matters.

Review requests after visits. Asks customers for a review the day after they come to a session or appointment.
Booking reminders. Reminds each customer before every session they’re booked into, including each one of a series.
Rebooking reminders. Asks customers to book again a set time after a visit, if they haven’t already.
Win-back. Invites customers back when they haven’t come in a while, counted from their last visit.
Birthday notes. Wishes customers happy birthday, if you have their birthday.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a hair salon?

Typically $2,000 to $15,000 to start, from lean to comfortable. Costs vary by place, so check prices where you are.

Can I start a hair salon part-time?

It can start part-time, around another job.

Does a hair salon need a license?

The work itself usually needs a state license before you take clients. What applies depends on your state and city: pick your state for what businesses like it typically need there, with each agency’s page. This isn’t legal advice.

How do businesses like it usually charge?

Per service, with color and treatments priced by time.

What goes wrong early?

Licensing school before paid clients. Booth or suite rent every week. Product costs.