Focus on "business equipment"

General business equipment required by a hairdresser might include:

• telephone - from £30 upwards depending on features
• mobile phone - around £150 for a phone and 12 months line rental
• answerphone - from £30 upwards depending on features
• fax machine - £120 to £250
• combined telephone/fax/answering machine - £150 upwards
• business phone line - connection charge of £99 + VAT and line rental of £40.75 a quarter
• till - basic models cost from £150, but more expensive models from around £500 include extra features, such as the ability to connect to a PC for keeping records
• electronic credit card "swipe" machine - available from banks for a joining fee of £100 to £150, and monthly rental charge of around £18 + VAT (manual versions are also available for which there are no monthly rental fees). Charges of around 4% per transaction for credit cards, and 20p-70p per transaction for debit cards are payable. Use of a phone line is required, so an extra dedicated line may be necessary for busy outlets
• note checker, either a pen (approx £5) or a UV lamp checker (approx £50)
• computer - around £800 should buy a PC suitable for general business use; a top specification is unnecessary for most small business applications
• printer; inkjet - around £100, or laser (black and white) - around £250
• general business software - accounting software (eg Sage Instant Accounting - approx £120) may be useful, as might payroll software packages (from £120), though some businesses may find a spreadsheet system is sufficient; these usually come included with the computer

The cost of fitting out the salon with shelving, racks and mirrors, and the waiting area with seating should not be overlooked. Some specialist suppliers offer a complete salon design and fitting out service.