How to Start a Salon Business at Home

Starting a salon at home is one of the easiest ways to break into the beauty industry without spending a fortune. You just pick the services you want to offer—maybe haircuts, styling, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, or simple makeup. Set up a clean, bright space and get the basics: a styling chair, a mirror, a trolley, a facial steamer, a hair dryer, and some hygiene supplies. Usually, you’ll spend anywhere from ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 getting started, depending on how fancy you go. Don’t forget to sort out permissions—like getting your landlord’s or society’s NOC and a local trade license if it’s needed. Taking a few certified beauty courses is smart too, because it boosts your credibility. Set prices that make sense for your area, and get the word out on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Google Business. Keep everything spotless, use good products, and treat your customers well if you want them to come back. Most people start solo to save money, track their monthly costs and earnings, and reinvest in more services or better equipment as things pick up.

In this article we are going to cover how we can start a salon business in India along with the services you can offer and the scaling, risk, and investment required. Read this article till the end to know more.

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Steps of starting a salon business in india

1. Is a home salon right for you?

Running a home salon really does have its perks. No rent, your own hours, the freedom to give clients your full attention, and a pretty quick return on your investment—that’s hard to beat, but let’s be real: there are challenges too. Space can be tight, so you might not offer every service under the sun. You have to stay on top of hygiene, keep your place looking professional, and make sure clients feel comfortable. Some residential areas also expect you to get approval from your society or landlord before opening shop. And if business booms, you might need to hire help or even move to a bigger space. Still, if you love working with people, know what your customers want, and can keep things neat and inviting, a home salon can be both rewarding and sustainable.

2. Basic services you can offer from day one

When you’re just starting out, it’s best to stick to a small, well-chosen list of services and grow from there. Offer essentials like haircuts and styling for everyone—men, women, and kids. Add coloring, highlights, and root touch-ups. Simple hair treatments like deep conditioning or oil massages are great to have. Throw in express or regular facials, plus manicure and pedicure combos, to reach more clients. Waxing, threading, and party makeup help round out your menu. Create package deals—maybe a haircut with a blow-dry or a mani-pedi bundle—to encourage people to try more than one thing. Keep your menu tight at first, maybe 8 to 12 popular options, so you can focus on quality, manage your products, and build a solid reputation.

3. One-time startup costs—itemized (realistic, entry-level setup)

Setting up a basic home salon does not require luxurious equipment, but investing in reliable, good-quality tools is essential for professional service. For a solo stylist, you’re looking at a sturdy chair (about ₹10,000), a washbasin (₹5,000), a trolley (₹2,000), and big mirrors (₹4,000). Add storage—a cart and some shelves—at around ₹7,000. Hair tools like dryers, straighteners, curlers, clippers, and trimmers will cost you another ₹10,000. For skin and nails, get a facial steamer (₹6,000), a mani-pedi kit (₹3,000), a waxing kit (₹2,000), and a facial starter pack (₹5,000). Stock up on shampoos, serums, creams, and colors for about ₹20,000. Don’t forget towels, disinfectants, PPE, cleaning supplies, and some comfy seating for clients. Put up a sign, add a few decorative touches, and set up your digital essentials—maybe a website, booking page, and a POS system. Training and licenses cost extra. Altogether, you’re looking at around ₹1,20,000, and with a 10% buffer for surprises, it’s about ₹1,32,000. Of course, you can cut costs with used gear or spend more on premium brands.

4. Monthly operating costs (typical, single-stylist, home-based)

Running a home salon involves several recurring monthly expenses that help maintain smooth operations and consistent service quality. Power bills go up with all the blow-drying, steaming, and so on—figure about ₹3,000 there. Water bills add another ₹500. You’ll need internet and a phone for bookings and chatting with clients, maybe ₹500 a month. Refilling your shampoos, creams, and other products will cost around ₹8,000 each month. It’s smart to set aside ₹3,000 for marketing and promos to keep new customers coming in. If you hire an assistant, that’s about ₹12,000 more, but a lot of people handle things solo at first to save money.

Additional essentials include laundry for towels (₹1,000), disposable consumables like gloves and strips (₹2,000), and small fees for accounting or GST compliance (₹2,000). Miscellaneous expenses of around ₹1,000 should also be expected. Altogether, these operating costs amount to an estimated ₹33,000 per month.

5. Pricing & simple revenue model

Home salon prices shift a bit depending on where you live—big city or smaller town—but most services fall into familiar price bands.

• Women’s haircuts usually land somewhere between ₹400 and ₹1,000, and men’s cuts run from ₹200 to ₹500.
• Hair coloring or root touch-ups? Expect ₹800 to ₹2,500.
• Blow-drys and styling go from ₹300 up to ₹1,200.
• Basic facials sit in the ₹400–1,200 range, manicures are ₹250–500, and pedicures are ₹400–700.
• Waxing for smaller areas costs ₹200–500, but bridal or heavy makeup can shoot past ₹8,000.

If you’re trying to figure out how much you can make, here’s a realistic picture: Say you work 22 days a month and see six clients a day, and your average ticket size is ₹1,000. That’s ₹1,32,000 a month. Knock off ₹33,000 for running costs and set aside ₹11,000 per month for your initial investment, and you’re still looking at a healthy profit. Over a year, that’s about ₹15.8 lakh in revenue and a first-year profit close to ₹10.5 lakh.

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6. Legal, regulatory & compliance checklist

Running a salon from home means you need to tick off some legal boxes. First, get written permission from your landlord or housing society—many residential areas won’t let you run a business without it. Depending on your city, you might need a trade or municipal license, so check in with your local authorities. If your revenue crosses the GST limit or you want to give B2B invoices, you need to register for GST. Optional stuff like Udyam/MSME registration can help if you ever want a business loan or to tap into government schemes. Insurance is smart too, especially if you’re handling chemicals or bridal makeup gigs. Don’t forget about safe disposal of cosmetic waste, and keep records showing you sterilize your tools. If you’ve got certified beauty or cosmetology training, it adds to your credibility. Rules can differ a lot based on where you live, so double-check what applies in your area.

7. Hygiene, safety & quality systems (non-negotiable)

Hygiene is non-negotiable if you want people to trust you. Always sterilize your tools after every client—use an autoclave, a UV sterilizer, or chemical disinfectants that actually work. Go for disposable gloves, spatulas, and brushes whenever you can. Keep a stash of fresh towels and wash them separately. Check product expiry dates, and always patch-test before any chemical treatment—get your client’s consent on that. Show your prices clearly and use consent forms for transparency. Safety-wise, keep a fire extinguisher handy, especially with all the electricals around. When clients see you take hygiene seriously, they’re more likely to come back.

8. Branding, marketing & customer acquisition

Promoting your home salon doesn’t require a large budget—smart, low-cost strategies can deliver excellent results. Start with your local WhatsApp and neighborhood groups—they work fast. Post photos, reels, and transformation shots on Instagram and Google Business; ask happy clients to tag you to spread the word. Offer referral discounts and first-timer deals to bring in new faces. Make booking super easy—accept UPI payments, online forms, or share a simple website link. Team up with wedding planners, photographers, and boutiques for more work. Loyalty cards and service packages help keep clients coming back. Honestly, a monthly marketing spend of ₹3,000–5,000 is usually enough.

9. Tools & tech that simplify running the salon

Simple salon POS + appointment system (many affordable apps exist)

• Payment acceptance: UPI, QR code, card reader
• Google Business, Instagram, and WhatsApp Business for bookings & CRM
• Basic accounting app for invoices and GST filing
• Invest early in a reliable booking and POS system—it reduces no-shows and improves client experience.

10. Hiring & training

It’s best to begin your home salon solo to keep expenses low and hire a trained assistant once demand increases. Entry-level assistants typically earn ₹8,000–15,000 per month depending on the city. Offer basic in-house training, follow clear SOPs for consistent service, and encourage staff to pursue certified courses for skill enhancement.
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11. Upsell, retail and add-on revenue

Retail products (shampoos, serums, and masks) can provide healthy margins. Promote packaged services (e.g., haircut + hair spa + retail trial pack). Add-on revenue increases average ticket size quickly.

12. Managing inventory & buying tips

Managing your inventory is all about staying organized. Set clear reorder points for products you use a lot, and buy supplies from authorized distributors—they usually give better prices for bulk orders. Regularly check for expired products and track batch numbers. Whenever you want to try something new, ask for a trial pack before you commit to a big order.

13. Scaling and next steps

Once you’ve got a steady flow of clients—give it three to six months—you can start thinking about growth. Maybe bring on a second stylist, or move to a small commercial space for more room. Add services like keratin treatments, hair extensions, or advanced facials, but make sure you get the right training first. You can also boost your earnings by offering makeup for events or parties. A membership or subscription program can help you lock in regular business. If you want to go all-in and set up a full commercial salon, be ready for bigger expenses: rent, interiors, and a bigger team.

Final tips—practical & immediate

Starting a salon business at home is a practical, low-risk path for anyone passionate about beauty services and willing to focus on quality, hygiene, and customer experience. With thoughtful planning, the right equipment, and basic training, you can build a professional setup within a modest budget and begin earning consistently from your own space. Success depends on maintaining cleanliness, using reliable products, offering clear pricing, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes clients trust and return. Effective local marketing—especially through WhatsApp, Instagram, and word-of-mouth—helps build a loyal customer base quickly. As your client list grows, you can expand services, upgrade tools, or even transition to a full-scale commercial salon. Overall, a home salon offers financial independence, flexible working hours, and strong long-term potential when managed with dedication and professionalism.
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