How to start a hairdressers

So, you’re thinking about starting a business – and not just any business; you want to know how to start a hairdressers. Good choice!

Starting a hairdressing business allows you to get creative, meet new people, hone a skill, and make money from your talents.

Before you pick up the scissors, there are a few things to figure out. We’ll walk you through it all, from choosing the perfect location to attracting clients.

Should you start a hairdressers now?

Opening a hairdressing business can be a great way to earn money and provide you with the ultimate flexibility. But, with increasing operational costs, it’s not without its hurdles.

According to recent data, the hair and beauty services sector contributed a huge £8.5 billion to the UK economy in 2024. Over 35% of Brits are willing to spend most of their disposable income on personal care.

A good thing to remember is that people always need haircuts, and the stats show customers are willing to pay for the best. So, if you can find the right business model for your target market, you could be onto a winner.

Since the pandemic, mobile hairdressing (where the hairdresser visits the client at-home) has grown in popularity too, meaning you may not even need to set up a physical salon to start snipping (although you may need to get permission from your local council).

There’s also a growing demand for niche salons that cater to specific audiences, like eco-friendly or gender-neutral spaces.

The hairdressing industry isn’t without its drawbacks though. Rising costs and changing consumer behaviours are two factors that potential business owners need to consider.

We’ll dig deeper into hairdressing expenses later. But remember that tools, equipment, salon space and products all need to be budgeted for in an unpredictable economy.

How to start a hairdressers: step-by-step

Following these five simple steps will help to turn your hairdressing dreams into reality.

1. Create your business plan

To get started you first need to create a business plan for your hairdressing business.

A business plan is a document that details every aspect of your company, and acts as a guide as you launch and grow your salon.

Your business plan should include information on your target audience, the current market, the services you will offer, and your budget.

As your business plan includes information about your company, defining your niche and choosing a strong business name are crucial early steps.

There are plenty of niches you can consider for your hairdressing business – and focusing on a specific service type is a great way to stand out from the competition. Some ideas include:

• Gender-neutral salons
• Specialising in specific hair types (e.g. curly, afro, bleached)
• Wedding and event hairstyling
• Focusing on specific treatments (e.g. balayage, scalp care)

Once you’ve chosen your niche and decided on your name, don’t forget to register your company name and ensure it’s not already in use.

2. Get the right qualifications

There are various qualifications available in the UK for hairdressers, including Level 2 diplomas in Barbering, Women’s Styling, and Hair Colouring.

An NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is the most popular choice in the UK. But, alongside your formal qualifications, it’s a good idea to gain experience working in hair salons. Not only will this give you insight into how a salon operates, but it will allow you to start building your portfolio and refining your skills.

You’ll also need to ensure you have all the required licenses and insurance types to open your hairdressing business. That includes public liability insurance. Take a look at our guide to beauty salon legislation and regulations to ensure you are fully compliant.

If you plan to open a salon, you’ll need a business license from your local council – and if dyeing hair is one of your planned services, then you’ll need to comply with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) legislations.

3. Find the perfect location

If you’re planning to open a physical salon, choose the location wisely.

Look for high-traffic areas, such as busy high streets, where there’s greater potential for both walk-ins and raising brand awareness (although bear in mind that the busier an area is, the more expensive the property is likely to be).

It’s a good idea to choose somewhere that’s close to public transport links or that has accessible parking to make it as easy as possible for clients to make regular visits.

Don’t forget to carry out competitor analysis to research what businesses are in the local area. You don’t want to choose a location that already has multiple hair and beauty salons that you would be competing with.

On the flip side,  you should consider opening up near businesses that may attract a similar target market, such as gyms, boutiques, and coffee shops.

4. Set up your salon

Once you’ve found the perfect location for your salon, it’s time to kit it out!

Even if you opt for a mobile hairdressing business, you’ll still need to purchase the right tools and equipment to complete every service you plan on offering, such as scissors, clippers and brushes. You’ll also need to consider the furniture for your salon, such as chairs, mirrors and washing stations.

It’s not just the physical products you’ll need to purchase, you’ll also need to set up systems, such as a booking system and a payment system, to ensure your diary and accounts all run smoothly.

Don’t forget to think about if you want to offer anything extra for your clients, such as refreshments, reading materials or complimentary products to take home with them. All of these will need to be budgeted for and purchased before you open your doors.

How much will all this cost? While exact prices will vary, as a rough estimate you can expect to pay between £1,000 – £3,000 per month in rent for a small salon space.

It’s also a good idea to budget between £2,000 – £10,000 for your inventory, depending on how much you need to buy.

A cheaper option, especially for those running hairdressing side hustles, you could also consider renting a chair from an established salon. Some businesses will allow you to pay for this via either a monthly flat rate, or a percentage (typically 40-60%) of your takings.

5. Market your business

Once you’ve completed all the groundwork to set up your hairdressing business, it’s time to start marketing it!

Getting your business in front of the right eyes is essential to attract customers and build a client base.

A strong marketing strategy for a hairdressing business combines both online and offline activity to attract customers.

Online marketing ideas to attract customers to your hairdressing business include:

• Creating a professional website with any information potential customers need, including a list of services, prices, location, contact details, photographs of previous work, and appointment booking.
• Using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to share fun and engaging content, such as before and afters, top haircare tips, styling ideas and client testimonials
• Encouraging customer advocacy by asking clients to leave you a Google Review to help build a trustworthy reputation

Offline marketing ideas to attract customers to your hairdressing business include:

• Hosting an opening event to showcase your salon to potential customers. Offer incentives like discounts, goody bags, and tutorials to attract attention
• Partnering withlocal businesses to offer special deals and discounts, such as 10% off for members of the local gym
• Creating a referral scheme to encourage word of mouth advertising, offering discounts for customers who recommend you to a friend
• Starting a loyalty scheme where people earn rewards the more times they visit your salon

What do you need to set up a hairdressers?

Setting up a hairdressers isn’t just about knowing how to cut and style hair, you’ll also need the right tools, systems, and tech to ensure you offer an unrivalled customer experience.

Here’s a useful shopping list of everything you need to build a functional and stylish salon:

• Styling tools such as scissors, brushes, clippers, hairdryers, and curling irons
• Salon chairs
• Salon mirrors
• Strong lighting
• Washing stations
• Hair products such as shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, dyes, and styling products
• Sanitisation products such as barbicide and disposable gloves
• General cleaning products such as glass cleaner and brushes
• Business website
• Social media accounts
• Booking systems such as Treatwell or Booksy
• Payment systems such as Stripe or PayPal
• Business licences and insurance

How much does it cost to start a hairdressing business?

The exact cost of starting your hairdressing business will depend on your business plan and model.

However, some of the costs you should plan to incur include:

Salon equipment and inventory: One of your biggest costs will be purchasing the equipment. Make a list of the tools you need to complete each service you offer to ensure you don’t miss anything. You can research hairdressing wholesalers in your area where you might find cheaper rates and the option to negotiate. You can expect to pay between £500 and £2,000 for each styling area.

Salon space: If you decide to open your own salon, you’ll need to budget for the space – whether that’s rent or a mortgage. You’ll also need to pay for refurbishments, such as to install toilets or plumbing for sinks. Industry estimates state that hair stylists can expect to pay around £600-£2,000 per month for a mid-range salon.

Staff salaries: If you decide to hire staff to work at your salon, you’ll need to budget their salaries. Hiring apprentices or part-time staff can be a useful way of keeping costs down, or you can rent out a salon chair to freelance hairdressers too. The average UK salary for hairdressers starts at around £9,000 for entry-level positions.

Final thoughts

Starting a hairdressing business is no small task – but by following the tips in this article, you can create a thriving business that keeps clients coming back for more.

Whether you’re opting for a chic salon or adopting a mobile model, the key is to stay flexible, creative, and ahead of all the latest trends (both in business and in hair!)

While it won’t all be plain sailing, with inventories to stock, locations to source, and competition to battle, putting together a solid business plan and offering an unrivalled client experience will put you firmly on the path to success.