Opening a Barbershop: Setup, Fit-Out and Costs
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Opening a Barbershop: Setup, Fit-Out and Costs
Opening your own barbershop is one of the most common next steps for barbers who have been renting a chair or working mobile. But the costs catch people out. This guide breaks down the real numbers so you can plan properly.
Quick rule of thumb: if you cannot cover six months of running costs from savings or a loan before you open the doors, you are not ready. Quiet months will come, and they will come early.
Total costs by shop size
| Item | Basic 2-3 chair shop | Premium 4-6 chair shop |
|---|---|---|
| Fit-out and refurbishment | £5,000-20,000 | £15,000-40,000 |
| Hydraulic chairs | £800-3,000 (2-3 chairs) | £2,400-6,000+ (4-6 chairs) |
| Mirrors, stations, storage | £1,000-3,000 | £3,000-8,000 |
| Backwash units | £500-1,500 | £1,000-3,000 |
| Tools and equipment | £500-1,500 | £1,000-2,500 |
| Signage and branding | £500-2,000 | £1,000-4,000 |
| Deposit (3 months rent) | £1,500-4,500 | £3,000-9,000 |
| Legal and insurance | £500-1,000 | £500-1,500 |
| Total estimate | £10,000-40,000 | £30,000-70,000+ |
These are 2025-26 figures. London and the South East will sit at the higher end.
Premises and lease
Your lease is the single biggest commitment you will make. Get it wrong and you are locked into a bad deal for years.
What to check before signing:
- Lease length. 3-5 years is normal. Avoid anything over 5 years for your first shop unless you have a break clause.
- Break clause. This lets you walk away at a set point. Push for one. Landlords will resist, but it is worth the negotiation.
- Repairing obligations. A "full repairing lease" means you pay for everything, including the roof and structure. Try to avoid it.
- Rent review clauses. Make sure you understand how and when rent can increase.
- Deposit. Expect 3 months rent upfront (2025-26). Some landlords ask for 6 months from new businesses.
Get the lease reviewed by a solicitor. Budget £500-1,000 for this. It is money well spent.
Tip for new starters: Your first shop does not need to be in a premium location. A side street with footfall, lower rent and parking nearby will often outperform a high street unit where rent eats your profit.
Equipment essentials
Chairs are the biggest single equipment cost. A decent hydraulic barber chair costs £400-1,000+ each (2025-26). Cheap chairs break within a year and cost more to replace than buying properly the first time.
The basics you need from day one:
- Hydraulic barber chairs
- Backwash unit (at least one)
- Mirrors and styling stations
- Clipper sets (at least 2 per barber, plus spares)
- Sterilisation equipment (Barbicide jars, autoclave if doing wet shaves)
- Sharps bins for disposable blades
- Hot towel cabinet
- Card reader (SumUp, Zettle or Square)
- Booking system (Booksy, Nearcut or similar)
- First aid kit
Licensing checklist
- Business rates registration with your local authority. You may qualify for Small Business Rates Relief, which can eliminate your rates bill entirely if your rateable value is under £12,000 (2025-26).
- Local authority registration for wet shaving, if your council requires it. Check with Environmental Health.
- Music licence. You need both PRS and PPL. A joint licence through TheMusicLicence costs around £200-400/year depending on floor area (2025-26).
- Waste disposal. Commercial waste collection is your responsibility. Budget £30-60/month.
- Planning permission. Most high street units already have A1/E class use. Check before signing the lease.
Financing options
- Start Up Loans. Government-backed personal loans up to £25,000 at around 6% fixed interest (2025-26). Includes free mentoring. Apply at startuploans.co.uk.
- Business bank overdraft or loan. Compare Starling, Tide and traditional banks. Rates vary widely.
- Savings. The cheapest option. No interest to pay, no one to answer to.
- Family and friends. Put it in writing. Informal loans cause arguments. A simple loan agreement protects everyone.
Avoid high-interest credit cards or payday-style business loans. If you cannot get funding at a reasonable rate, scale down your plans rather than borrowing expensively.
Insurance
You need insurance in place before you open. The basics:
- Public liability (£1-5 million cover)
- Employers' liability (legally required if you employ anyone)
- Contents and equipment cover
- Business interruption (covers lost income if you cannot trade)
Budget £300-600/year for a basic barber insurance package (2025-26). Get quotes from specialist beauty and barbering insurers.
Common mistakes
Overspending on fit-out. Your first shop needs to be clean, comfortable and professional. It does not need to look like a film set. Spend your money on quality chairs and good equipment, not designer wallpaper.
No budget for quiet months. The first 3-6 months are almost always slower than you expect. If you have spent everything on the fit-out, you have nothing to live on while you build your client base.
Poor lease terms. Signing a long lease without a break clause, or accepting full repairing obligations on an old building. These can cost you thousands.
Underpricing. Setting your prices low to attract clients, then struggling to raise them later. Price fairly from day one. You can always run introductory offers without permanently undervaluing your work.
Ignoring running costs. Monthly running costs for a basic shop sit around £1,500-3,800 before you pay yourself (2025-26). Labour typically accounts for around 60% of total costs if you employ staff or have chair renters. Know your numbers before you commit.
Tip for new starters: Write down every monthly cost you can think of, then add 20%. That is closer to reality. Include: rent, rates, utilities, insurance, products, waste disposal, card reader fees, booking software, music licence, phone, broadband, cleaning supplies.
What to do next
- Write a simple business plan. It does not need to be long. Costs, expected income, break-even point.
- Visit 5-10 potential premises before committing. Talk to other business owners in the area.
- Get your lease reviewed by a solicitor.
- Apply for a Start Up Loan if you need financing.
- Set up your insurance, waste disposal and local authority registrations before opening day.
Who to Contact
- Start Up Loans: 0344 264 2600 (Free)
- HMRC Self-Employment Helpline: 0300 200 3504 (Free)
- Local Authority Environmental Health: Find via gov.uk (Free)
- National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF): 01234 831965 (Paid - membership required for full advice)
- Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848 (Free)
Sources
- Start Up Loans, startuploans.co.uk (2025-26)
- NHBF Industry Survey (2024)
- VOA business rates thresholds, gov.uk (2025-26)
- TheMusicLicence pricing, pplprs.co.uk (2025-26)
Related Guides
- Mobile to Premises
- Cash Flow Management
- Employing Your First Person
- Insurance for Chair Renters
- Music Licensing
- Chair Rental Complete Guide
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Key Contacts
Start Up Loans:
0344 264 2600Free
HMRC Self-Employment Helpline:
0300 200 3504Free
Local Authority Environmental Health:
Find via gov.ukFree
National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF):
01234 831965 (Paid - membership required for full advice)