How to Price Your Salon Services
Price the work you actually deliver, not just the service name. List what is included, calculate your own costs and check whether realistic bookings can support the business. Another salon's price is a comparison point, not your cost calculation.
By QKAT Team · Published 2026-09-10 · 3 min read
Define the service before setting the amount
Write down the result, materials, preparation and finish included in the price. For braids, specify size, length and who supplies hair. For nails, separate removal, extensions and detailed art where appropriate. If the work varies, explain which details determine the quote. A clear definition helps both staff and customers understand why two appointments may cost different amounts.
Record the costs of delivering it
Use your own receipts to estimate product quantities, disposable items and any staff pay that varies with the appointment. Add relevant transaction costs when planning. Keep a separate record of monthly costs such as rent and fixed salaries so you do not count the same expense twice. Owner time also needs to be allowed for; working without paying yourself can make an unsustainable service look affordable.
Use realistic billable time
Measure the whole appointment, including consultation and resetting the station. Estimate working time you can reasonably sell after breaks, admin and expected gaps. Dividing rent by every hour the shop is open can understate what actual appointments need to support. Review the estimate as you collect better records. A new business may need several scenarios because its future booking volume is uncertain.
Check whether the service mix can cover the business
For a simple single-service illustration, break-even appointments equal fixed costs divided by the price minus variable cost per appointment, when that difference is positive. A salon offering many services needs a realistic mix, not one average used blindly. This planning formula does not tell you the market price or guarantee profit. Use your own KES figures and include a margin for the business beyond merely covering costs.
Compare like with like and present a clear menu
Look at comparable scope, time and location when reviewing other public menus. Do not publish a Nairobi-wide price range from a handful of unrelated services. Set your own amount and describe what the customer receives. If you use ?from?, explain exactly what can increase the total and confirm the final quote before starting. A simpler menu is helpful only if it remains accurate.
Explain changes before the next appointment
Give customers clear notice when your prices change and confirm which price applies to an existing agreement. Update the service menu and saved replies together so staff do not send conflicting amounts. Review pricing when product costs or service time change materially. Keep notes on the reason for each adjustment so you can distinguish a real cost problem from a single quiet week.
Frequently asked questions
Who sets salon prices on Qkat?
Each business sets its own service prices. This guide is about building your own price, not a Qkat tariff or a published Nairobi market range.
Can I copy a nearby salon's prices?
Their rent, staffing, materials and service scope may differ. Compare their offer, but use your own costs and achievable appointment volume to assess your price.