How to Start a Nail Salon: Complete Guide for Aspiring Salon Owners (2026)

Nail clients tend to rebook regularly—weekly gel refills, monthly pedis, seasonal art—and the demand only keeps growing. That’s the opportunity. But a nail salon isn’t all about polish and photos—it’s licensing and inspections, strict sanitation and ventilation, a nonstop appointment book, sharp inventory, and team operations that run on a tight schedule.

This guide shows you how to start a nail salon (whether home-based or commercial), what it costs, which equipment actually matters, the legal must-haves, proven staffing models, and a step-by-step launch plan. You’ll also get practical tactics for scheduling, staff management, and payroll, so shifts stay predictable and pay stays accurate.

TL;DR: How to start a nail salon

• Pick your path: Start home-based to validate demand with low overhead—or go commercial if you’re funded and ready to run multiple stations and standard hours.
• Budget smart: Home studio $2k–$10k; small commercial $40k–$75k; full-scale $75k–$250k+. Add 20–30% buffer for surprises and keep 3 months of working capital.
• Cover the legal basics: State nail tech/cosmetology license, business license, health permits/inspections, liability insurance. Consider a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to separate personal and business risk.
• Buy essentials first: Manicure stations, (optional) pedicure chairs, UV/LED lamps, pro tools, autoclave and disinfection supplies, ventilation that meets local rules, core inventory.
• Choose a staffing model: Solo, employees, booth rental, or commission (or hybrid). Put agreements in writing—sanitation standards, client ownership, payouts, and schedules.
• Stand up your systems: Staff scheduling and time tracking (Homebase), client booking/POS, and simple policies for cancellations, late arrivals, and sanitation.
• Launch with a plan: start with licensing, then build your business plan, form your legal entity, secure your space, get permits, buy equipment, hire your team, set up systems, market, open, and review performance weekly.

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Is a nail salon a good business to start?

Thinking about opening a salon? Here’s how the upside and the trade-offs shake out so you can make an informed decision.

• Profit potential: With a few busy chairs and a balanced mix of classic, gel, and nail enhancement services, a small salon can generate solid revenue. Many owners aim for 15–25% net margins once pricing and bookings stabilize.
• Income sources and high-profit services: Core services like manicures, pedicures, fills, removals are your base. High-margin profit usually comes from gels, dip/acrylics, clearly priced nail art, and add-ons like paraffin or callus care, plus retail products and memberships.
• Advantages to starting a nail salon: Nails are a habitual self-care ritual, so happy clients tend to rebook regularly. You can start small and add stations, hours, or service tiers as demand grows, with a simpler setup than a full-service spa.
• Challenges to prepare for: You’ll need to stay on top of licensing, sanitation, and ventilation requirements, plus stand out in a competitive market. Daily operations (like staffing, scheduling, inventory, cash flow, and tech ergonomics) mean you need to pay consistent attention.

Bottom line: A nail salon can be a great business if you run the basics well: clear pricing, realistic booking, tight sanitation, and steady routines for your team. Done right, that shows up in full books, repeat clients, and fewer financial surprises.week.

Home-based vs. commercial nail salon: Which path is right for you?

Home studio or storefront? Start where your budget and bookings are today. Remember: you can always scale once demand is steady.

Starting a home-based nail salon

What it involves: A dedicated room or studio, typically one or two clients at a time with flexible hours. You’ll build through referrals, local presence, and quality.

Startup costs (estimated): $2,000–$10,000

Startup costs for a home setup usually fall somewhere around $2,000–$10,000, which typically covers the basics: a simple manicure table and chairs, a core polish collection, pro tools, sanitation equipment, required licenses, and basic marketing. Costs climb toward the higher end if you invest in premium furniture, a wider range of products, higher-end ventilation or sanitation gear, and professional help with branding, decor, or your website.

Pros: 

• Lowest barrier to entry
• No commercial rent
• Flexible schedule
• Proof of concept
• Gradual growth

Cons: 

• Zoning/HOA limits
• Limited capacity
• “Home” salon perception
• No walk-ins
• Personal/business space overlap

Legal requirements (commonly):

• Zoning/home-occupation approval
• Business license
• Health department approvals (where applicable)
• Valid nail tech/cosmetology license
• Liability insurance
• A separate entrance (sometimes). 

Note: Remember to check your jurisdiction, as rules vary widely.

Opening a commercial nail salon

What it involves: Lease a ~800–1,500 sq ft small space with 3–8+ stations, traditional hours (e.g., 9–7), and staff/renting booths to individual contractors.

Startup costs (estimated): $40,000–$250,000+

• For a commercial salon, plan on investing around $40,000–$250,000+ to get the doors open. That budget has to stretch across your lease deposit and build-out, salon furniture and equipment, first inventory order, licenses and insurance, signage and launch marketing, plus several months of operating cash to cover rent and payroll while you grow. You’re more likely to land at the higher end of the range if you choose a premium location, go heavy on custom design and high-end furniture, open with lots of stations, or fund a bigger branding and grand opening.

Pros: 

• Higher revenue ceiling
• Professional visibility
• Walk-ins with the right location
• Clearer home/work separation
• Better resale potential

Cons:

• Bigger upfront investment
• Lease risk
• Monthly overhead
• Heavier management
• More inspections

Which path should you choose?

Choose to start a home-based nail salon if you have limited capital, want to check demand, already have a partial book, or need flexible hours (and your area allows it). 

Choose to start a commercial nail salon if you’re well-funded, ready to scale team capacity, and have a strong location.

Hybrid approach

Start at home, build a loyal client base, and use the extra income to create a cash cushion before you ever sign a lease. Once you’re consistently booked out and hitting your capacity at home, you can start scouting commercial spaces and planning how many stations you can realistically keep busy. 

Use your real numbers (ie. average ticket, most popular services, rebooking rate) to shape your service menu and budget for rent, staffing, and supplies. This way, you’re scaling something that already works instead of guessing whether clients will show up.

How much money do you need to open a nail salon?

Use these ranges as a starting point for your budget. Your exact costs will vary based on local prices, the condition of your space, and how simple or custom your setup is.

Home-based nail salon: ~$2,000–$10,000

A home-based nail salon is the lowest-cost path. Most of your budget goes toward a functional manicure table and chairs, a core nail polish collection, pro tools, sanitation equipment, licenses, and simple marketing. You’ll also want a small working capital cushion to cover supplies and slow weeks as you build your client base.

Small commercial salon: ~$40,000–$75,000

For a small storefront with a few stations, plan on a larger upfront investment. This budget will typically cover all of the above (at a slightly larger scale), plus signage and several months of working capital to cover rent, utilities, payroll, and ongoing supplies until revenue stabilizes.

Full-scale salon: $75,000–$250,000+

A larger, full-scale nail salon with more square footage and 8–15 stations can easily run into the six figures. You’re scaling up everything: build-out, furniture and equipment, inventory, staffing, and your launch budget. The trade-off is higher revenue potential, but also higher monthly overhead and more in-depth operations.

Ongoing monthly costs to plan for

No matter which path you choose, budget for recurring expenses like rent, utilities, product restocks, marketing, professional services (like an accountant), equipment maintenance, and staff costs. As a rule of thumb, add a 20–30% contingency on top of your startup estimates so you’re not caught off guard by delays, repairs, or permit surprises.

What equipment do you need to start a nail business?

Start with the essentials that impact quality, safety, and client experience. Add specialty items as revenue grows.

Essential furniture and stations:

• Manicure tables: You’ll need sturdy, lit, storage for tools, and power access. Plan for ~175–250 sq ft per active station, including circulation.
• Pedicure chairs: This includes commercial plumbing connections, sanitation-friendly basins, and comfortable seating, which are usually about $2k–$6k each.
• Seating: Think ergonomic chairs for techs to reduce strain, comfortable client chairs at each station, and a small waiting area for early arrivals to relax before their appointment.
• Reception: Give guests a good first impression with a check-in desk, a POS or tablet for payments, and a small retail display for products or gift cards.

Tools, products, and sanitation:

• Polish and enhancements: This is at the center of your business—a core set of regular and gel polishes, acrylics, dip powders, base and top coats, and treatments, organized on a display rack so clients can easily choose colors.
• Pro tools (per station): Make sure every tech has a complete set up with professional clippers for hands and feet, files in different grits, buffers, cuticle pushers and nippers, brushes, nail art tools, and toe separators.
• Sanitation and safety: Keeping your salon safe is a must. Make sure you have an autoclave for sterilization, a UV cabinet for clean storage, Barbicide (disinfecting) jars, single-use files and buffers, gloves and masks, sanitizer stations, and EPA-registered disinfectants to keep tools and surfaces compliant.
• Specialized equipment: You’ll also want to make sure you have UV/LED lamps for curing gels, e-files or drills with proper training and regular bit replacement, and some form of ventilation to manage fumes.

Retail and displays: Show your clients some products they can take home with them, like a small inventory of oils, lotions, and nail care products for easy add-on sales, plus gift cards that encourage repeat visits and referrals.

New vs. used: Buy anything that touches skin (and all sanitation gear) new, but consider high-quality used manicure tables, display fixtures, reception furniture, or even pedicure chairs if they’re in excellent condition and can be thoroughly cleaned.

Step-by-step: How to start a nail salon

Use this as your launch blueprint. Keep each step moving in parallel where it makes sense.

1. Get licensed as a nail technician

Start by completing your state-approved program, passing any required exams, and keeping up with continuing education if your state mandates it. Even if you plan to own the salon and hire others to do the services, it’s still worth learning the standards because you’ll be accountable for compliance.

2. Write a focused business plan

Begin with outlining your service menu and price points, your target clients, and the competitive salons in your area. Clarify your staffing model (solo, employees, booth renters, commission), estimate startup and ongoing monthly costs, and sketch out a 12-month cash-flow forecast. This becomes your decision-making guide and is essential if you’re applying for loans or outside funding.

3. Choose a legal structure and register

Decide whether you’ll operate as a sole proprietor (simplest) or form an LLC (common for liability separation). From there, file the necessary paperwork with your state, obtain an EIN, open a dedicated business bank account, and set up basic bookkeeping so your finances are clean from day one.

4. Secure your space

For a commercial salon, evaluate each potential location for water and plumbing access, ventilation feasibility, parking, and visibility. Ask the landlord to spell out who pays for what when it comes to build-out, HVAC, and any ventilation upgrades.

If you’re home-based, confirm zoning and home-occupation rules first, then create a professional, separated space with proper sanitation and ventilation instead of working out of a general living area.

5. Get licenses and permits

Next, make sure you’re legally covered. That usually means a city or county business license, any signage permits if you have a storefront, a health department inspection and permit, and any state-specific salon licenses your cosmetology board requires.

6. Purchase equipment and supplies

Start with the essentials instead of trying to buy everything at once. Prioritize sanitation equipment, ergonomic seating for techs, and the core tools and products you need to deliver your baseline service menu reliably. You can hold off on high-ticket extras until you know which services are in demand and what actually drives revenue.

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7. Set up the space

Design the flow of your salon from the client’s perspective: walking in, checking in, receiving the service, paying, and leaving. Install ventilation where it’s most effective, set up a visible sanitation station, and write simple Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for cleaning between clients and for daily and weekly deep cleans so everyone on the team knows the standard.

8. Build your team (if you’re not going solo)

If you’re not working alone, decide whether you’ll use employees, booth renters, a commission model, or a hybrid. Put written agreements in place that spell out sanitation standards, who provides which products, how client relationships are handled, what scheduling and time-off look like, and how and when payouts happen. Then make sure your payout timing matches your actual cash-flow reality so you’re never short on payroll.

9. Put systems in place

Before you get busy, set up the tools that will keep operations running smoothly. Use staff scheduling and time tracking to make sure coverage is clear and payroll is accurate, and choose a reliable payroll software so you can run pay on time every period. Put a client booking/POS system in place with appointment reminders, notes, and basic reporting. Finally, write down your policies for cancellations, late arrivals, and no-shows, and post them clearly so clients know what to expect.

10. Market and launch your nail salon

Claim and complete your Google Business Profile, post your menu and prices, and start seeding before-and-after content on social media. Look for simple partnerships with nearby businesses, and consider a soft opening to test your systems before a bigger push. Encourage rebooking and reviews from day one, pay attention to which marketing efforts actually bring clients in, and double down on what works.

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Do you need an LLC to do nails at home?

The short answer is: no—it’s not legally required. You can operate as a sole proprietor with the proper licenses and permits.

Why many owners still form an LLC:

• Liability separation: Protects personal assets if the business faces a claim.
• Credibility: Looks professional to clients and vendors.
• Cleaner finances: Easier banking, bookkeeping, and tax separation.

Many nail techs start as sole proprietors, then form an LLC once income is consistent and they know they’re in it for the long haul. It’s worth checking in with a local accountant or attorney so you understand how your state handles taxes, licensing, and home-based businesses.

How to form an LLC for home-based nail salons

If you decide an LLC is the right move, the setup is usually straightforward and mostly handled online through your state. Here’s how to start:

1. Choose a name and check state availability.
2. File Articles of Organization with your state (often $50–$200).
3. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS (free) for banking and payroll.
4. Create an Operating Agreement (especially helpful if you add partners later).
5. Open a business bank account to separate funds.
6. Register for state taxes if required.

Cost: ~$50–$500. Timeline: 1–4 weeks. Ongoing: annual filings/fees vary by state.

Also required (LLC or not): Valid nail tech license, home-occupation permit, city/county business license, any health approvals, and liability insurance.

You’re essentially giving your home-based nail business a sturdier foundation, so as you grow, your legal and financial setup can grow smoothly with it.

Managing your nail salon staff and appointments

Managing your nail salon staff and appointments means juggling more than just who’s on the calendar. You’re coordinating different personalities, service times, client preferences, and last-minute changes—often on a very tight schedule.

On top of that, nail salons have unique staffing challenges. Here are some of the staffing models to consider when thinking of the best structure for your salon:

• Booth rental: Techs pay a flat fee to use a station—this means they run their own books. It’s simple for salon owners, but owners also have less control.
• Commission: The salon supplies clients and products, while techs earn a percentage. Aligns incentives, but requires sales/product tracking.
• Hybrid: A base plus commission or mixed rental/employee model to balance control and upside.

Make expectations explicit:

Use written agreements to define sanitation protocols, client ownership and contact rules, product responsibilities, scheduling norms, and termination terms. Avoid ambiguity (it’s where conflict lives).

Scheduling and appointment management:

• Coordinate calendars across services and stations.
• Standardize appointment lengths by service to reduce overruns.
• Use text/email reminders to reduce no-shows.
• Capture notes on client preferences

Staff retention (why great techs stay):

• Fair, transparent pay with on-time payouts.
• Ergonomic setup, real breaks, and strong ventilation.
• Predictable schedules and respectful communication.
• Training time and visible paths to grow (art tiers, educator roles, senior tech).

What your management software should cover:

• Staff schedules and time tracking with approvals.
• Salon payroll.
• Appointment reminders through your salon scheduling tool.
• Client history and notes in booking/POS.
• Payment processing and basic reporting (revenue by tech, repeat rate, top services).
• Commission/booth tracking if applicable.

For team shifts and accurate hours, tools like Homebase help you publish schedules, capture hours (including breaks), and approve timesheets in minutes.

Tips for starting and running a successful nail salon business

Running a nail salon is more than just doing pretty nails. It’s also about systems, safety, and smart money habits. Use these tips as a quick checklist to keep your salon stable, profitable, and client-ready.

• Ventilation is non-negotiable. Protect health and pass inspections.
• Choose location for revenue, not just rent. Visibility, parking, and co-tenants matter.
• Sanitation = reputation. Post your standards; follow them every service.
• Control the calendar. Confirmation texts, reminder cadence, and clear cancellation policy.
• Paperwork first for contractors. Written booth/commission agreements prevent confusion.
• Own your online presence. Keep your Google profile current; encourage reviews; show your work consistently on socials.
• Treat inventory like cash. Standardize brands, track usage, and reorder on cadence.
• Protect working capital. Maintain a 3-month cushion for repairs and slow periods.

Frequently asked questions about starting a nail salon

How long does it take to open a nail salon?

Opening a nail salon typically takes 1–4 months for a home-based setup if you already have your license, plus time for permits and space prep. For a commercial salon, expect 3–9+ months to handle lease negotiations, build-out, inspections, and staffing.

Can you make money with a nail salon?

You can make money with a nail salon if you price services well, balance your menu (gel, enhancements, nail art), drive strong rebooking, and keep rent, labor, and product costs in check. Many owners target 15–25% net profit once the business is steady.

Conclusion: Your path to nail salon ownership

If you keep the fundamentals tight, you’ll build a business that retains customers and supports a strong team. Start where risk is lowest for you, scale deliberately, and run the operation with a real system behind you.

When you’re ready to keep schedules, hours, and payroll running smoothly in one place, let Homebase for beauty businesses handle the day-to-day so you can stay focused on great service and loyal, returning clients

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