How Much Does It Cost To Open A Pedicure Salon? $1865K CAPEX Guide
A leased pedicure salon in this researched model needs about $1865k for listed startup assets and opening inventory before working capital If you exclude the $12k initial product inventory, fixed-asset CAPEX is $1745k, led by $95k for salon build-out, $38k for pedicure chairs, and $15k for sterilization equipment Total funding need can be much higher than CAPEX because rent, payroll, deposits, pre-opening costs, and ramp-up cash hit before the salon stabilizes the model shows a $763k minimum cash requirement in Month 8 Here’s the quick math for revenue planning: Year 1 assumes 18 visits per day, 305 operating days, and a $78 average ticket from a $63 weighted pedicure price plus $15 in add-ons and retail
Calculate Fuding Needs
Startup cost summary
Shows startup assets and opening cash needs for a pedicure salon, split into low, base, and high scenarios.
Highlighted CAPEX$172,000Base planning example
Excluded cash needs$763,000Outside CAPEX total
Funding need$935,000CAPEX + excluded cash needs
Cost Category
Base Estimate
Main Cost Driver
CAPEX Calculator
Salon Build-out
$95,000
Leasehold fit-out scope and finish level
Yes
Pedicure Chairs
$38,000
Chair count, quality, and vendor pricing
Yes
Sterilization Equipment
$15,000
Sanitation equipment spec and installation
Yes
Reception & Waiting Area Furniture
$12,000
Front-desk and waiting area furnishings
Yes
Initial Product Inventory
$12,000
Opening stock depth and product mix
Yes
Opening Cash Reserve
$763,000
Month 8 minimum cash requirement
No
Estimate Startup Costs with Calculator
Startup CAPEX Calculator
Estimates capitalized startup assets only before opening, including build-out, chairs, and equipment.
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CAPEX only Estimates capitalized startup assets only. Excludes inventory, payroll runway, deposits, debt service, working capital, launch marketing, licenses, financing costs, and operating losses.
Startup cost moves a lot by launch scale. Fewer chairs and leaner inventory keep cash needs down, while a bigger build-out and larger reserve push funding higher.
Lean, Base, and Full launch funding ranges for a pedicure salon
Scenario
Lean LaunchBudget test
Base LaunchStandard leased launch
Full LaunchFull pedicure spa buildout
Launch model
A budget test with fewer service stations, lighter reception spend, and tighter opening stock.
A standard leased launch that matches the model's core build-out, staffing, and Month 8 cash need.
A larger spa build with more stations, stronger retail display, and a higher cash reserve.
Typical setup
One compact treatment area, minimal furniture, and restrained launch marketing.
Full build-out, core chairs, sterilization gear, and the modeled opening inventory.
Expanded build-out, more chairs, upgraded retail fixtures, and fuller staffing readiness.
Cost drivers
Smaller build-out
fewer chairs
lighter reception furniture
tighter opening inventory
smaller marketing push
Salon build-out
pedicure chairs
sterilization equipment
opening inventory
Month 8 cash reserve
Larger build-out
more chairs
stronger retail display
fuller staffing readiness
higher cash reserve
Planning rangeCAPEX only
$700,000 - $850,000Budget band
$900,000 - $1,000,000Base band
$1,050,000 - $1,250,000Premium band
Best fit
Fits founders testing demand with lower fixed cost and a smaller cash cushion.
Fits operators using the modeled launch plan and a normal working-capital buffer.
Fits owners planning a more complete spa setup and extra cash slack.
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Planning note: Scenario ranges are researched planning assumptions based on the model, not exact vendor quotes or guarantees.
How do I fund a pedicure salon?
For a Pedicure Salon, raise against a lender-ready use-of-funds plan: about $227k for build-out, chairs, sterilization, furniture, retail fixtures, laundry, POS hardware, and opening inventory, plus working capital for $45k monthly rent and $178k Year 1 payroll. Here’s the quick math: Year 1 variable cost load is 145% from supplies, single-use tools, card fees, and marketing, so cash needs are real. Lenders and investors will expect revenue assumptions, payroll, rent, product costs, debt service, breakeven timing, payback timing, and the Month 8 cash need; this model points to Month 6 breakeven, 31-month payback, $3k Year 1 EBITDA, and $178k Year 2 EBITDA.
Startup uses
$95k build-out
$38k chairs
$15k sterilization equipment
$12k furniture
Funding check
$7k retail fixtures
$3k laundry
$45k POS hardware
$12k opening inventory
What lenders want
Revenue assumptions by month
Payroll plan for $178k
$45k monthly rent coverage
Product and debt service detail
Model outputs
Month 6 breakeven
31-month payback
Month 8 cash need
$178k Year 2 EBITDA
How much do pedicure chairs cost for a salon?
For a Pedicure Salon, use the $38k pedicure chair budget as the base planning number, but don’t treat it as the full startup cost. That sits alongside $95k in build-out and $15k in sterilization equipment, and the chair count drives plumbing, electrical, ventilation, staffing, and revenue ceiling.
Cost drivers
$38k chair budget base
$95k build-out line
$15k sterilization gear
Chair count changes capacity
Refine next
Confirm chair count first
Define chair features needed
Check drainage and water heat
Review spacing and inspection rules
How much money do I need to open a pedicure salon?
You need about $186.5k for listed startup assets and inventory for a Pedicure Salon, but the funding plan should also cover lease deposits, permits, insurance, payroll before revenue, launch marketing, and a cash cushion. In the model, cash pressure peaks in Month 8, even though break-even lands in Month 6; track this with What Is The Main Indicator Of Success For Pedicure Salon?.
Startup cash
$174.5k fixed-asset CAPEX
$12k initial product inventory
$186.5k listed assets plus inventory
Include deposits, permits, insurance, payroll
Ramp math
18 daily visits assumed
305 operating days in Year 1
$78 average ticket
Month 8 cash need peaks
Key Takeaways
Build-out is the biggest upfront cost driver.
Equipment spend should match station count and service volume.
Licenses and insurance can delay opening and funding.
Inventory, hiring, and marketing shape launch cash needs.
Pedicure Salon Core Five Startup Costs
Location, Build-Out, And Leasehold Improvements Startup Expense
Build-Out Budget
Treat build-out as the biggest CAPEX item. The base model sets $95k across Month 1 to Month 3, or about $31.7k per month if spread evenly. That covers leased retail improvements, plumbing, electrical, flooring, lighting, ventilation, restroom compliance, reception flow, water capacity, drainage, and inspection fixes.
Cost Drivers
The quote swings with existing plumbing, landlord contribution, permitting delays, and whether the space was already a salon. Here’s the quick math: fewer changes to water, drainage, and ventilation means lower spend; more code work means higher spend. One clean line: the space’s starting point sets the bill.
Check plumbing before signing.
Ask for landlord build-out help.
Map permit timing early.
Control The Spend
Get two contractor quotes and a clear scope before work starts. Save money by reusing what already meets code, but do not cut restroom, electrical, or ventilation work. What this estimate hides: delays can push rent and payroll before opening. A tight scope usually protects cash better than chasing the lowest bid.
Reuse compliant fixtures.
Lock scope before demolition.
Build in inspection time.
Install Timing
Time the build-out around other installs: chairs land in Month 2 to Month 4, and sterilization equipment lands in Month 3 to Month 5. That order matters because you need the room ready before durable equipment arrives. If build-out slips, the salon can burn cash on stored assets and idle contractors.
Licenses, Permits, Insurance, And Professional Setup Startup Expense
Regulatory setup
This bucket covers the state cosmetology board salon license, local business license, occupancy permit, sales tax registration, technician licenses, board inspection, entity formation, payroll setup, bookkeeping, legal review, liability insurance, and workers’ comp if required. These are not fixed assets, but they can block opening and slow funding because lenders want proof the salon is ready to operate.
How to price it
Estimate it from application fees, renewal periods, headcount, and months of coverage. The model already carries $380/month for business insurance and $350/month for accounting and legal from Month 1, so this bucket keeps adding cash burn before the first client. One clean line: no license, no opening.
How to manage it
Cut waste by confirming rules with the state board, city, and landlord before lease signing. Ask for written fee schedules, inspection timing, and technician requirements so you don’t pay twice or miss launch dates. Don’t trim liability coverage or skip payroll setup; those shortcuts can cost more than the savings.
Lender view
Lenders care about readiness, not just the build-out. A salon with $380 monthly insurance and $350 monthly accounting and legal has real pre-opening overhead, so it needs cash for permits, inspection fixes, and compliance work before revenue starts.
Pedicure Chairs, Stations, Equipment, And Fixtures Startup Expense
Station Capacity
Pedicure equipment should match service volume, not just look nice. The base model allocates $38k for chairs, so your quote needs a chair count, per-unit price, and space plan for each station. Add stools, carts, foot basins, and a drying area if you want clean turnover and steady daily capacity.
Cost Build
Here’s the quick math: $120k covers $38k chairs, $15k sterilization equipment, $12k reception and waiting furniture, $7k retail fixtures, $3k laundry equipment, and $45k POS hardware. This sits with the salon’s core startup budget, so get vendor quotes by unit, then test the total against opening cash and lender funds.
Buy Or Phase
Ask early if each item will be bought, leased, financed, or phased. Buy durable assets like chairs, towel warmers, and sanitation gear; keep disposables like files, buffers, gloves, masks, liners, and product supplies out of capex. Phasing can lower launch cash use, but it only works if the first stations still support full service.
Budget Control
Trim cost by pricing the setup to station count, not floor space. Get separate quotes for reception desk, waiting chairs, storage, backbar setup, laundry, and sterilization, then cut anything that does not change hygiene or throughput. The mistake is overspending on décor while underbuying sanitation and POS hardware that keep appointments moving.
Initial Product, Sanitation, And Consumable Inventory Startup Expense
Opening Stock
Set aside $12k for opening inventory in Month 6 to Month 8. This covers polish, gels if offered, lotions, scrubs, foot care products, files, buffers, toe separators, disposable liners, gloves, masks, disinfectants, towels, linens, retail products, and a replenishment buffer so the first appointments and shelves are ready on day one.
Cost Base
Build this line from units × unit price, supplier quotes, and months of coverage. Keep opening stock separate from recurring cost of goods sold, because Year 1 product supplies run at 50% of revenue and single-use tools at 30% of revenue. That split keeps the startup budget clean and avoids double-counting inventory.
Price each item by quote
Cover first service weeks
Track retail and backbar separately
Buy Smart
Order core consumables first, then restock by usage, not by guesswork. Use one list for sanitation items and another for retail. Avoid overbuying slow-moving colors or duplicate tools; the goal is enough stock for opening, not a warehouse. If demand is strong, keep a small reorder buffer tied to actual service volume.
Reorder Buffer
Opening stock protects sanitation compliance, retail presentation, and early reorder timing. If first-week demand runs hot, this buffer keeps appointments moving while supplier lead times catch up. The biggest risk is running out of gloves, liners, disinfectants, or top-selling retail items before the next order lands.
Hiring, Training, Launch Marketing, And Opening Readiness Startup Expense
What counts
Count recruiting, technician onboarding, pre-revenue payroll, uniforms, menu design, website setup, local profile setup, booking software setup, POS setup, exterior signage, launch promotions, soft-opening discounts, and front-desk training as pre-opening expenses. Only durable assets get capitalized. That keeps opening cash separate from normal monthly operating costs.
Payroll base
The staffing plan starts in Month 1 with a $68k salon manager, $52k lead pedicurist, $42k pedicurist, and a 0.5 FTE receptionist at $32k a year. Here’s the quick math: headcount × salary × months before revenue gives you the opening burn, before hiring time and onboarding cost.
Headcount and salary
Months before revenue
Onboarding days and training
Launch setup
Budget $180 a month for software and marketing, and keep launch promos and soft-opening discounts in the same bucket. Marketing is modeled at 40% of Year 1 revenue, so the spend is tied to early traffic, not vanity branding. If setup slips, you pay payroll longer before bookings can cover it.
One-time setup fees
Monthly software coverage
Promo weeks and discount depth
Month 6 cushion
Use readiness cash to bridge to Month 6 breakeven. The risk is simple: payroll starts in Month 1, but revenue ramps later. If bookings lag, manager, technician, and front-desk costs can outrun cash fast, so soft-opening discounts should support learning, not become the main sales plan.
