How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop?
Classic barbershop offering men's haircuts, shaves, and grooming
National average startup cost | Time to launch: 2-4 months
National Cost Breakdown
| Expense | National Average | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Business Registration & Licenses
LLC/Corp filing, EIN, barber establishment license, state board registration
|
$500 - $2,500 | Varies by state |
|
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)
3 months upfront for a 600-1,500 sq ft space
|
$4,500 - $22,500 | Varies by local rent |
|
Barber Chairs & Stations
Barber chairs, mirrors, clippers, trimmers, hot towel warmers, POS system
|
$10,000 - $40,000 | |
|
Initial Product Inventory
Pomades, shaving cream, aftershave, neck strips, capes, towels, sanitizer
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | |
|
Interior Build-Out & Design
Plumbing for wash stations, vintage or modern decor, lighting, flooring, signage
|
$10,000 - $35,000 | Varies by local labor |
|
Business Insurance (Annual)
General liability, professional liability, property insurance, workers comp
|
$1,500 - $5,000 | Varies by state |
|
Marketing & Launch
Website, social media setup, signage, grand opening promotions, booking app
|
$2,000 - $7,000 | |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
Rent, utilities, supplies, payroll while building a regular client base
|
$8,000 - $25,000 | Varies by cost of living |
| Total Estimated Startup Cost | $50,000 - $150,000 |
What Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop?
The barbershop industry has experienced a strong resurgence, with the men's grooming market exceeding $30 billion annually. Startup costs depend heavily on whether you're doing a full build-out in raw commercial space or taking over an existing shop. Location drives most of the cost variation, as lease rates in urban areas can be 3-5 times higher than suburban locations.
Booth Rental vs. Hiring Employees
The biggest operational decision for a new barbershop owner is whether to rent chairs or hire barbers as employees. Booth rental means barbers pay you $200-$500 per week for their station and keep all their earnings, which drastically reduces your payroll obligations and working capital needs. Hiring employees gives you more control over service quality and pricing but requires payroll taxes, benefits, and larger cash reserves.
Essential Tools to Launch Your Barbershop
Barbershop Startup Costs by City
See how startup costs vary across major US cities. Costs are adjusted for local rent, labor, and cost of living.
| City | Estimated Total Cost | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington, VA | $53,000 - $196,000 | 148.2% |
| Alexandria, VA | $52,000 - $191,000 | 143.6% |
| Anaheim, CA | $49,000 - $183,000 | 145.2% |
| Anchorage, AK | $45,000 - $169,000 | 132.5% |
| Allen, TX | $42,000 - $158,000 | 104.5% |
| Atlanta, GA | $42,000 - $160,000 | 101.4% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $41,000 - $153,000 | 108% |
| Asheville, NC | $40,000 - $149,000 | 105.8% |
| Arlington, TX | $38,000 - $140,000 | 93.5% |
| Albany, NY | $37,000 - $137,000 | 93.6% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $36,000 - $136,000 | 93.2% |
| Athens, GA | $36,000 - $135,000 | 93.4% |
| Appleton, WI | $35,000 - $129,000 | 90.5% |
| Akron, OH | $34,000 - $124,000 | 86% |
| Amarillo, TX | $34,000 - $127,000 | 85.5% |
See Barbershop Costs in All Cities
Permits & Licenses Required
- Business license
- Barber establishment license
- Individual barber licenses (for all barbers on staff)
- Health department inspection certificate
- Signage permit
- Certificate of occupancy
Frequently Asked Questions
A barbershop typically costs $50,000 to $150,000 to open, depending on location and how many chairs you set up. Taking over an existing shop with equipment in place can cut costs to $30,000-$60,000, since the plumbing and stations are already installed.
Most new barbershops start with 3-6 chairs. Each fully equipped station costs $2,000-$6,000. Starting with fewer chairs keeps your lease smaller and overhead lower while you build a steady clientele.
Yes, barbershops can be quite profitable with net margins of 10-20%. The booth rental model, where barbers pay you weekly rent for their chair, provides predictable income and lower risk than paying commission. A busy 5-chair shop can gross $200,000-$400,000 per year.
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