How to open a men’s hair salon: Costs, requirements, and success tips

You will probably be filled with inspiration and passion once you decide to open a men’s hair salon. However, turning that into a real business involves a thorough calculation of the initial investments and several critical decisions related to the management of processes, a list of your services, and traditional leasing or renting a suite.

Follow along as we show you the initial steps you need to take to open a hair salon for men, plus shed light on approximate cost calculations.

Market positioning of a men’s salon

Before exploring the operational models of your future business, it’s good to spend some time thinking about why it might be attractive for male clients.

In 2025, men are no longer those who don’t care about their appearance. Men’s interest in hairstyle spruce-ups, beard work, and high-level grooming services is strong and expected to grow exponentially in the years to come. They view men’s salons as a better alternative to a unisex environment and a place dedicated to their appearance needs.

Keep this in mind when putting together a positioning strategy for your men’s salon.

Planning and groundwork

A solid business plan must stem from a market analysis of your target audience, local competition, a clear definition of your services and pricing, your brand identity, realistic financial projections (startup costs and revenue forecasts), and a marketing strategy. Always prepare your business plan before proceeding any further.

Decide how your business will appear legally (sole proprietorship or LLC) and what makes the best operational model for you. Let’s compare the two primary options for men’s hair salons to open in the US.

The traditional salon space

With this model, you’ll have to look for a suitable space, lock yourself into an agreement for 3-10 years, and buckle up for potentially extensive renovations (build-out) to install plumbing for wash stations, flooring, lighting, restroom essentials, and more. You’ll have to fork out for the necessary furniture, fixtures, and major equipment.

Pros:

• No control restrictions over the design, layout, and branding of the space
• Ability to accommodate multiple hair specialists and more services from the start
• Compelling visibility and presence (depends on the location)
• More wiggle room for long-term expansion within the same location

Cons:

• The costs range from $50,000 to $250,000 or more, largely due to build-out expenses.
• Finding a location, contract negotiations, design, permits, and construction can take many months or over a year.
• You’re responsible for maintenance, repairs, utility management, security, and property taxes/CAM charges.

The salon suite model

This model refers to renting a private, lockable studio within a larger facility designed specifically for hair services for men. Most suites are move-in ready and include styling chairs, mirrors, storage units, and wash basins. Often, you can choose to pay a weekly or monthly rent that covers utilities and CAM.

Pros:

• Lower costs to open a hair salon for men
• Suite personalization options
• Opportunity to get started within weeks of signing your rental agreement
• All-inclusive rent and simplified budgeting
• No hassles related to suite management
• Upscale atmosphere and amenities provided by a salon suite company
• Private environment and flexibility for serving clientele

Cons:

• The size of a single suite may restrict the number of male clients who can be there at the same time.
• You have no influence over the building’s ambiance and security outside your specific suite.
• Your branding is limited to your space.

How much to open a men’s hair salon?

If you go for the traditional model, the costs will be driven by the required facility improvements (up to $100K), furniture and major equipment ($10K-$30K+), inventory building, and operating capital requirements ($10K-$50K+). That’s a lot to pay, no matter how you slice it.

If you prefer suites, you can enjoy hefty savings. The costs will only include your deposit/first payment, personalization and decor expenses, essential tools ($2K-$7K), initial product inventory ($1K-$5K+), licenses, and insurance. You’ll also have to dedicate some operating capital, but it’s much lower as overheads are reduced and income generation starts faster.

Compliance nuances

While some requirements are universal for all beauty services, there are key distinct preconditions to meet for a hair salon for men to open this business lawfully. 

You must obtain a state-issued barbering or cosmetology license. For the traditional model, you are responsible for getting a main Salon/Establishment License for the entire premises and ensuring compliance with all health and safety codes for the whole space.

As a suite renter/business owner, you are generally expected to have a personal license and liability insurance to cover your specific operations.

Staffing considerations

Your chosen model impacts staffing potential. With the traditional model, you can hire multiple employees or booth renters from the outset, build larger teams of stylists, and have broader service offerings. However, this requires managing payroll, HR, and team dynamics.

A men’s hair salon suite is a more stress-free alternative for solo professionals or several partners who want to share a larger suite (if available/permitted). Because no hiring is involved, you will not have to bother with payroll calculations and HR costs. Yet, scaling involves renting additional spaces or transitioning to a new location.

Marketing tips

When opening a men’s hair salon, think through your professional online presence (website/social media), strong branding, Google Business Profile, and local SEO. Your strategy can be based on digital marketing and traditional location-specific techniques.

Focus on attracting male clients to your space. Emphasize your personal brand, expertise, professionalism, and the convenience of your location.

So, how much to open a hair salon for men?

No matter which model of running your future business you choose, it requires plenty of consideration of financial and operational factors. The decision between the traditional space and a suite significantly impacts startup costs and control.

Your initial investment will likely exceed $50,000 for a conventional hair salon for men to open in many months from pouring your funds into the undertaking. Salon suites from Optima are budget-friendly and start from $295 per week. We provide a more affordable and rapid entry with a number of additional services.