What Would You Do: Charging For Extra Hair Color
How much hair color do you estimate you use per client? Do you charge more for extra product used, or eat the cost and hope it all balances out in the end? One member of our #btcfam had this question…read what she asked, then keep scrolling for advice!
“I’m a salon owner and I need advice on using more product than expected on a client. We estimate three tubes of color, but we end up going through six or so. Who is supposed to cover that cost? Do I cover and then split the cost equally with the whole staff? I am wondering if other salons charge the client extra? If so, how do you go about charging a client extra for product in that instance?”
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1. Definitely Charge The Client—Here’s How Much:
“Our salon has a £10 [about $13-$14] supplement for any extra time or product used. The £10 is per extra tube or 15 minutes, so depending how much extra is used, that’s how much extra we add on. Whenever we give quotes on a service, we explain that extra costs may apply for these reasons. I think it can balance itself out, one client with short or fine hair may only need a tube and then another needs five, which would average at three.” – @francescarob
“At our salon, we charge $10 for an ‘extra bowl’ of color. People with a lot of hair know they have a lot of hair. I mix 60 grams of color (before developer) for my clients with thick hair. If I need more than that, it incurs a $10 charge. Haven’t gotten any pushback.” – @omgmng
“In our salon, all prices are quoted at starting price. We then charge extra based on time/product. So if a base color is 3 ounces total, we charge $10 for every additional ounce (½ ounce of product plus ½ ounce of developer) after that. We explain to clients they have thick hair, extended regrowth, etc. and most clients know that they have thick hair and are understanding.” – @kdtownsend1
“My price is for 2.5 ounces of color. Everything over is $9 per ounce. I let them know up front and when they fill out the color card for authorization that they know about the extra charge. They sign the card every visit and it’s stated in bold for the extra charge.” – @artemis690
“The client should pay for the extra product. Our starting price is basically a touch-up at the root, which is 1 to 2 ounces. Anything over 2 ounces is extra added on to the price.” – @beautifieddesign
“I add $25 for every new tube I crack open. ‘You want chocolate all over? Great! Your hair is as thick as carpet and down to your butt, so you’re looking at $75 MORE than what a normal person would charge. Is that still what you want?’ I’m sooooo over-the-top honest with clients. I’m no different when it comes to pricing.” – @texas_gypsy_
“At my salon, it’s $12 per additional batch, and we tell the guests that before starting any service. When they call asking for prices, we always give them the base price but let them know that it can go up depending on product used and that their stylist will do a consultation to determine what service would be best for their desired results. You can tell in a consultation roughly how much you will need to use above the base amount, and then you can quote them a new price. That way everyone is on the same page and they know why their service is costing more than what is listed on the menu if that ends up being the case.” – @cosmo.courtney
“The price of services at our day spa include one tube of color or one scoop of bleach, and for every extra color or additional tube/scoop or a toner we charge $18. I think people with a lot of hair, or who want a big change, expect this. All prices on your menu should be starting prices, and in your consultation, stylists can explain cost for lots of hair/additional color/toners. You and your staff should absolutely not be eating the cost of having to use that much color on someone! That’s your profit right there!” – @linzylingo
“Let them know up front that they will probably need more product than the typical head of hair. Compliment them on all the luscious, beautiful hair they have. Then, use the regular price to provide a quote upfront, but decide on a price to charge per tube and add to the regular price. If you think it will be three additional tubes, and you’re charging $7 per tube, quote the price adding $21. Overestimate if you have to, then once the client is aware and comfortable with the price, provide your services. If you end up using only two extra tubes, then you charge only $14 extra, you look like the hero because not only did you get great coverage and consistency, but you did it at a lower price. This continues to work for us.” – @bossylilthang
“We charge the color base price ($53+) for 2 ounces of color and 2 ounces of developer. Every additional batch up to 2 ounces we charge $15.” – @hellomynameislace
“I have base price on our menu. If I need more than a ‘regular’ base amount, I charge accordingly. I also have some clients who use way less color and are less time to cut and/or color, and I will also give them a slight reduced rate. Someone who takes less time and uses little product shouldn’t have to pay the same amount as someone who requires more time and has a ponytail as thick as a pop can. I just think it’s being fair and reasonable.” – @bbrowneyes81
2. …Or Don’t—It’s Up To You:
“I charge by time, not amount of color used. Over time, costs will equal out because of the clients that don’t use much color.” – @cinbad1553
“Might be way off here, but I use what it takes on a client, no extra charge. Do you charge less for a thin-haired person who takes way less product? My prices have a built-in buffer to compensate. I think it starts to get annoying to guests when you nickel and dime them. Watch what you’re mixing up. I’ve seen more half-full bowls and bottles in the sink at the salon. It’s wasteful and money down the drain.” – @bev.mccarthy
3. But, You Might Want To Re-Evaluate How Much Product You’re Mixing:
“Holy cow, three tubes per client is even a lot!…We have had times where our waste got really out of control, so we saved all of our wasted color for a day or two and calculated how much money we were losing. That really helped us see how mixing up too much adds up quickly! There are very few clients that we use more than three tubes on, let alone six! I would try to figure out whether your problem is product overusing or waste, because three plus tubes+ per person is insane.” – @linzylingo
“Wow, I don’t usually comment but three tubes? Six tubes? That’s mental 🙈 and what’s worse is getting the customer to pay for staff incompetence, which is not right ! Do you train your team on how to mix products properly? On how to apply it correctly? Do you use a scale to control waste? Definitely don’t charge the poor customer, you will lose her. She’ll pay you but disappear straight after, when your aim is repeat customers. I work on long and very thick hair day in and out and, max, I use one to two tubes. Training your team is the key.” – @rosamassimo
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