Color Corrections: How to Price the Jobs Nobody Wants

She walks in with orange hair, a photo of platinum blonde, and asks "how much?"

You know this is a 6-hour job minimum. Maybe two sessions.

What do you say?

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Why Color Corrections Are Different

A normal color service has predictable:

• Product costs
• Time investment
• Outcome expectations

Color corrections have none of that.

You're fixing someone else's mistake (or the client's DIY disaster). You're working against unknown variables. And the client usually has unrealistic expectations about time and cost.

This is why most stylists either:

• Undercharge and resent it
• Overquote and lose the client
• Refuse corrections entirely

There's a better way.

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The Consultation Is Everything

Before you quote anything, you need information:

1. Hair history (last 12 months minimum)

• Box dye? Which brand?
• Previous salon color? What exactly?
• Any treatments? Keratin, relaxer?
• Henna at any point? (This changes everything)

2. Current condition

• Porosity test
• Elasticity check
• Check for banding, hot roots, uneven tones

3. Realistic expectations

• What do they actually want?
• Can their hair handle it?
• Timeline—single session or multiple?

Pro tip: Take photos at consultation. Document the starting point. This protects you later.

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The Pricing Framework

Forget hourly rates for corrections. Use this formula:

Base correction price + Product upcharge + Complexity multiplier

Base Correction Price

Start with your highest-tier color service as the base.

If your balayage is $200, that's your correction starting point.

Why? Because corrections require MORE skill than regular color, not less.

Product Upcharge

Corrections eat product. Calculate actual usage:

Multiply your product cost by 2.5-3x for the upcharge.

Complexity Multiplier

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Real Pricing Examples

Example 1: Box Dye Brown to Natural Blonde

• Base price: $200
• Product upcharge: $45 × 2.5 = $112
• Complexity: Box dye = 1.5x
• Session 1 estimate: ($200 + $112) × 1.5 = $468

Likely needs 2 sessions. Total: $800-1,000

Example 2: Brassy Highlights Fix

• Base price: $200
• Product upcharge: $25 × 2.5 = $62
• Complexity: Simple tone = 1.0x
• Total: $262

Example 3: The Full Disaster (Multiple Box Dyes)

• Base price: $200
• Product upcharge: $80 × 3 = $240
• Complexity: Unknown history = 2.0x
• Session 1: ($200 + $240) × 2.0 = $880

Minimum 2-3 sessions. Total: $1,500-2,500

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The Conversation Script

Here's how to quote without losing the client:

"Based on what I'm seeing, this is a correction rather than a regular color service. Here's what that means...

For your hair specifically, I'm looking at [X hours] today, and honestly, we might need a second session in [4-6 weeks] to get you to your goal safely.

The investment for today would be $[X], and if we need session two, that would be $[Y].

I know that's more than you might have expected, but I want to be honest with you upfront rather than surprise you later. And more importantly, I want to keep your hair healthy.

Would you like to move forward, or would you like some time to think about it?"

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When to Say No

Some corrections aren't worth it. Walk away when:

Hair integrity is compromised If it's going to break off, don't touch it. Recommend a conditioning treatment plan and revisit in 8 weeks.

Expectations are impossible "I want to go from black to white in one session" = no.

Budget doesn't match reality If they have $150 for a $600 job, it's not happening. Don't negotiate yourself into losing money.

They won't share hair history No history = no service. You can't fix what you don't understand.

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Protecting Yourself

The Correction Consultation Form

Create a simple form that documents:

• Current hair condition (with photos)
• Client's stated history
• Realistic outcome expectations
• Estimated sessions and cost range
• Client signature agreeing to the plan

This isn't about being corporate. It's about setting clear expectations and having documentation if things go sideways.

Deposits for Corrections

Corrections should require a non-refundable deposit:

• 25-50% of estimated session cost
• Secures the extended appointment time
• Filters out clients who aren't serious

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Building a Correction Reputation

Here's the thing: color corrections can become your most profitable service category.

The stylists who do them well get:

• Higher per-service revenue
• Referrals from other stylists who don't do corrections
• Loyal clients (you fixed their nightmare, they'll never leave)

Document your transformations. Before/afters of correction work are social media gold.

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The Bottom Line

Stop undercharging for corrections.

Your expertise in fixing problems is worth MORE than applying color to virgin hair.

Price accordingly. Communicate clearly. Walk away when necessary.

👉 Vinci 26 helps salons manage complex bookings, extended appointments, and deposits—so correction clients book properly and show up ready.

Build something that's truly yours.