How much should I charge for beauty treatments?

lessonlearned

I'm a trained beauty therapist and have decided to turn my spare bedroom into a treatment room, offering beauty treatments such as facials, waxing etc, make up lessons.

Although I am qualified to do manicures and pedicures I will need to do a nail technicians course if I am to offer nail treatments such as gel nails. etc (I'm not sure about these because I believe they do a lot of damage to the natural nails in the long run - it's just I know that they are very popular and am concerned that I might be throwing good business away by not offering these).

Now, given that most people are either financially struggling or simply cutting back I don't know how much I should charge for my treatments. I will be working from home so I could pitch my prices at a very competitive rate and undercut high street salons because I won't have their large overheads such as rent and rates. I will need to take out insurance - haven't costed that out yet. However, if I make my prices too low might people think that I'm not very good at what I do and decide not to give me a try?

I really need some help with my pricings.

I have decided not to offer mobile treatments because I won't have to factor in travelling time and petrol etc so that should help keep costs down a bit. It will also help me to protect my back by not having to struggle with lugging my couch and equipment around.

I will aim to make my treatments a luxurious and pampering experience, with a nicely decorated room, soft fluffy towels, refreshments such as healthy smoothies etc. I will use natural and organic products as I believe in a holistic approach to health and beauty.

Any ideas on pricing or simply any ideas and tips would be very much appreciated.

I can't afford to spend much money on advertising - except for our local community newsletter which is quite reasonable so any tips on "free" or low cost marketing ideas would also be very helpful.

Look forward to hearing from you.

slummymummyof3

Run up an attractive A5 flyer on the computer with your phone number etc and treatments available and photocopy a large quantity, leaflet drop them through letterboxes yourself - cheap and you know they are being delivered. You can select the neighbourhoods your want to target etc.

liney

Our local free paper charge very little to have flyers included inside the paper when they are delivered. You supply the leaflets, tell them how many (which is what the cost is based on) and the post code you want them dropped at. They can also tell you how many leaflets to cover certain area's as they already have the numbers for their own deliveries.

Ask if you can put posters up at the local creche's/nurseries and hairdressers that don't offer these treatments. Loyalty schemes for existing customers (buy x number of treatments and get your 5th/10th/Xth free), free treatment (what's your cheapest) if you bring a friend for a treatment before X date.

College notice board. Notice boards in supermarkets.

Bridal stores - offer wedding services, or group hen party bookings.

I'll keep thinking.

LittleTinker

Just to let you know, I and the daughters I have here with me (2) have all said that we would NOT go to someone's private home for beauty treatments.

You may find that a lot of women feel the same way so I would advise that you do a little Market Research first of all....and try find what your customers would actually want.

One of the reasons why many businesses dont do so well is that they sometimes have a lack of decent research behind them.

Got2change

Well I would - and have.

Maaaaany years ago - before tanning salons even existed - I used to go to someone's house; she had set herself up with a top-notch sunbed and the whole arrangmenet was very professional. She in the end became a friend of mine.
But that was then, of course.

More recently, I went to someone's house for treatments. Her room was an addition to her property but what I saw of her house was as immaculately presented as her treatment room; she herself was very very professional but warm and friendly, as I would expect. I had what I think of as a step up from regular treatments - as in semi-permanent make-up (eye-liner) and botox (this done by a trained nurse who came to offer the service). I was happy with the treatment, environment and results.

Your image, professionalism, services provided and target market are all factors that you should build into your pricing structure - and of course, look at what your competition is offering and aim to undercut a little.

melancholly

LittleTinker wrote: »

Just to let you know, I and the daughters I have here with me (2) have all said that we would NOT go to someone's private home for beauty treatments.

i have been to someone's home to get treatments - it was run out of a 'shed' in the back garden (it clearly wasn't a shed - it was a wooden, heated, lovely 'thing', but i can't think of a better word). i found the place on the internet and it was great (good value, lovely lady and flexible times). i can't see this as any different than finding a B&B in someone's house and going there - it's usually cheaper than a hotel and the personal service can often be better.

OP - i wouldn't think this a major conern! if you can get a website, with some photos of what the place looks like, i think that would be the best way to encourage people to contact you. it may add to your costs, but it should also increase your profile. good luck!

aspinallkate

You could hold an open day so people could come and have a look. If they like the look of it they could then book an appointment. Tell friends to spread the word for you. I would use you if you were recommended by a friend.

lessonlearned

Thank you so much for all your replies. There are some really great ideas on here and I shall be taking a good look at all of your suggestions. I can get my "arty" son to design my flyers and rope my IT husband in to do the website.

Must admit I was bit concerned with the idea that people might not want to visit a private house for treatments but it was very reassuring to see that a fair few replies didn't think it was a problem.

I can understand that some people might think that the services I offered might not be as professional as a high street salon or say one in a hotel or gym or health spa but there is no reason why this should be so. I would love to be able to open a luxury spa in a beautiful location but I don't have the resources for that. However, I do feel that I can make my clients feel pampered and I will ensure they get the luxury VIP treatment they will surely want.

I think that as far as issues such as comfort, cleanliness and health and safety are concerned I would find it much easier to offer a professional and high quality service from my home than I would offering a mobile service. I have tried doing mobile treatments in the past and found it very difficult to maintain consistent high standards when I was not in full control of the "salon" environment (children, pets, constant interruptions, cramped conditions etc) .

The only real difference I can see between a salon in a private home and a high street venue is that I wouldn't have the high outgoings that they have. I can also offer free parking facilities and flexible times such as evenings and weekends.

It also has to be said that there are plenty of unpleasant, unhygenic "commercial" salons around.

Anyway thanks again for your tips and advice, you've given me lots of ideas. Please do keep them coming .

I've mentioned my plans to a few friends and they are all really keen to be given "the works". I am going to practise on them first to get my timings sorted and also try various salon layouts to see which work best. (They will of course get mates rates and some freebies to try). :rolleyes:

Mojisola

I've visited therapists' homes for alternative treatments, not beauty, but it's similar. Many people will appreciate the cheaper rates you'll be able to charge.

Some things to think about, though. Make it clear that there will be nowhere to wait if your client is brought to your house by someone else. I went for an appointment with one therapist and she was quite upset because the previous client had turned up with two other people who were planning to wait for her. Once the therapist was in her room with the client, the other people would have had the run of her house and she couldn't allow that. They were quite awkward about it.

The other thing is that people may well ask to use the toilet so make sure you have somewhere that's up to standard without too many personal items on show.

Something else to think about is your own personal safety. Some therapists I know leave a radio on in another room and call out "Just starting a treatment" or something similar to the pretend person in that room. Be aware of how much of your own stuff is out between the front door and your therapy room. One place I went to had credit card and bank statements on a pin board, easily seen by clients!

Cazza

Following on from the poster above, I have a friend who works from home as a beauty therapist. She makes it very clear in all her leaflets etc that she offers a ladies only range of treatments. She also makes sure that her Mum always has a copy of her appointment list for the day, so that someone knows who she is expecting and when. She insists on taking full names of all clients, as well as a mobile and landline telephone number; not sure if she asks for an address.

In terms of prices, obviously your first port of call is other salons / therapists in your area to see what they are charging. What pert of the country are you in? I would imagine prices can vary according to areas. Maybe to drum up initial business, you could offer a 10 or 15% discount on first treatments???

Threadhead

Have you had a look on salongeek.com?

Also - find out what pricing is like in your area, and go from there.

I am a massage therapist, working from home and although it has been slow, business is picking up. I have also, in the past, been to a private house for beauty treatments, and think it had a friendlier feel than some salons I have been to.

Good luck xx