How Much Does It Cost to Open a Salon in Dublin? A Realistic Breakdown
A realistic cost breakdown for opening a salon in Dublin - from Rathmines to the city centre. Real numbers, no sugarcoating.
Sarah Mitchell
Content strategist with a passion for helping businesses grow.
"How much do I need to open a salon in Dublin?"
It's the first question everyone asks. And the honest answer is: it depends.
But that's not helpful. So here's a realistic breakdown based on actual Dublin market conditions in 2025-2026.
No sugarcoating. No best-case-scenario nonsense. Real numbers.
The Short Answer
| Salon Type | Location | Total Startup Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solo chair (minimal) | Suburbs | €25,000 - €45,000 |
| 2-3 chairs (standard) | Mid-range area | €50,000 - €90,000 |
| 4-6 chairs (premium) | City centre | €100,000 - €180,000 |
| Full service salon | Prime location | €150,000 - €300,000+ |
Now let's break down where that money actually goes.
The Big One: Rent
Rent is your largest ongoing cost and often your biggest upfront cost too (deposits).
Dublin Rent by Area (Monthly)
| Area | Type | Monthly Rent | Deposit (3-6 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Centre (D1, D2) | Prime retail | €4,000 - €8,000 | €12,000 - €48,000 |
| Grafton St area | Premium | €6,000 - €12,000 | €18,000 - €72,000 |
| Temple Bar | Tourist heavy | €3,500 - €6,000 | €10,500 - €36,000 |
| Rathmines/Ranelagh (D6) | Young professional | €2,500 - €4,500 | €7,500 - €27,000 |
| Drumcondra/Phibsboro | Residential | €1,800 - €3,000 | €5,400 - €18,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire | Coastal suburb | €2,000 - €3,500 | €6,000 - €21,000 |
| Tallaght/Blanchardstown | Shopping centre | €1,500 - €3,000 | €4,500 - €18,000 |
| Smaller suburbs | Local high street | €1,000 - €2,000 | €3,000 - €12,000 |
What affects rent:
- Square footage (obviously)
- Foot traffic
- Visibility (corner unit vs basement)
- Condition (fitted vs shell)
- Lease terms
Pro tip: Negotiate. In the current market, landlords are often flexible. Ask for 3 months rent-free for fit-out, or a stepped rent increase over years 1-3.
Fit-Out Costs: The Money Pit
This is where budgets explode. The difference between "basic functional" and "Instagram-worthy" is massive.
Basic Fit-Out (Functional, no frills)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Flooring | €1,500 - €4,000 |
| Painting & walls | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Lighting | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Plumbing (backwash, etc.) | €2,000 - €5,000 |
| Electrical work | €1,500 - €4,000 |
| Basic reception desk | €500 - €1,500 |
| Waiting area | €500 - €2,000 |
| Basic Total | €8,000 - €22,500 |
Mid-Range Fit-Out (Professional, attractive)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Quality flooring (wood/tile) | €3,000 - €8,000 |
| Feature walls & finishes | €2,000 - €6,000 |
| Professional lighting design | €2,500 - €6,000 |
| Full plumbing fit-out | €4,000 - €10,000 |
| Electrical + sound system | €3,000 - €7,000 |
| Custom reception area | €2,000 - €5,000 |
| Comfortable waiting area | €1,500 - €4,000 |
| Storage & back room | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Mid-Range Total | €19,000 - €49,000 |
Premium Fit-Out (Design-led, destination salon)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Architect/designer fees | €5,000 - €15,000 |
| Premium materials throughout | €15,000 - €40,000 |
| Custom millwork & furniture | €10,000 - €30,000 |
| HVAC & ventilation | €5,000 - €15,000 |
| High-end lighting | €5,000 - €12,000 |
| Sound & AV systems | €2,000 - €8,000 |
| Retail display areas | €3,000 - €10,000 |
| Premium Total | €45,000 - €130,000 |
Equipment: Where Quality Matters
Styling Stations
| Quality Level | Per Station | 4-Station Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €800 - €1,200 | €3,200 - €4,800 |
| Mid-range | €1,500 - €2,500 | €6,000 - €10,000 |
| Premium | €3,000 - €5,000 | €12,000 - €20,000 |
Styling Chairs
| Quality Level | Per Chair | 4 Chairs |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €300 - €600 | €1,200 - €2,400 |
| Mid-range | €700 - €1,200 | €2,800 - €4,800 |
| Premium | €1,500 - €3,000 | €6,000 - €12,000 |
Backwash Units
| Quality Level | Per Unit | 2 Units |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €600 - €1,000 | €1,200 - €2,000 |
| Mid-range | €1,200 - €2,000 | €2,400 - €4,000 |
| Premium | €2,500 - €4,000 | €5,000 - €8,000 |
Other Equipment
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Hood dryers (2) | €600 - €2,000 |
| Trolleys (4) | €400 - €1,200 |
| Sterilizer | €200 - €500 |
| Towel warmer | €150 - €400 |
| Tools (scissors, clippers, etc.) | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Color mixing station | €300 - €800 |
| Laundry equipment | €500 - €1,500 |
Technology & Systems
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| POS system | €0 - €1,500 (or monthly fee) |
| Booking software | €0 - €100/month |
| Card terminal | €0 - €300 + transaction fees |
| WiFi setup | €100 - €300 |
| Security system | €500 - €2,000 |
| TV/entertainment | €300 - €1,000 |
Initial Stock & Products
| Category | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Hair color range | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| Styling products | €500 - €1,500 |
| Retail products | €1,000 - €4,000 |
| Consumables (foils, towels, etc.) | €500 - €1,500 |
| Cleaning supplies | €200 - €500 |
| Total | €3,200 - €10,500 |
Legal, Professional & Admin
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Solicitor (lease review) | €500 - €1,500 |
| Accountant setup | €300 - €800 |
| Company registration | €50 - €300 |
| Insurance (first year) | €1,000 - €2,500 |
| Licenses & permits | €200 - €500 |
| Total | €2,050 - €5,600 |
Marketing & Launch
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Branding & logo | €500 - €3,000 |
| Signage (external) | €1,000 - €5,000 |
| Window graphics | €300 - €1,000 |
| Website | €500 - €3,000 |
| Photography | €300 - €1,000 |
| Launch marketing | €500 - €2,000 |
| Total | €3,100 - €15,000 |
Working Capital: The Buffer You Need
Don't spend everything on setup. You need cash to survive the first few months.
Rule of thumb: Keep 3-6 months of operating costs in reserve.
| Monthly Expense | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Rent | €1,500 - €6,000 |
| Utilities | €200 - €500 |
| Insurance | €80 - €200 |
| Product restocking | €300 - €800 |
| Marketing | €200 - €500 |
| Software/subscriptions | €50 - €200 |
| Miscellaneous | €200 - €500 |
| Monthly Total | €2,530 - €8,700 |
| 3-Month Reserve | €7,590 - €26,100 |
| 6-Month Reserve | €15,180 - €52,200 |
Note: This doesn't include wages if you're hiring staff from day one.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Solo Barber, Suburban Dublin
Marcus is opening a one-chair barbershop in Clontarf
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deposit (3 months @ €1,800) | €5,400 |
| Basic fit-out | €12,000 |
| Equipment (1 station) | €3,500 |
| Products & stock | €1,500 |
| Legal & insurance | €2,000 |
| Marketing & signage | €2,000 |
| Working capital (3 months) | €6,000 |
| Total | €32,400 |
Scenario 2: Hair Salon, Rathmines
Sarah is opening a 4-chair salon targeting young professionals
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deposit (4 months @ €3,000) | €12,000 |
| Mid-range fit-out | €35,000 |
| Equipment (4 stations + 2 backwash) | €18,000 |
| Products & retail stock | €5,000 |
| Technology & systems | €2,000 |
| Legal & insurance | €3,500 |
| Branding & marketing | €6,000 |
| Working capital (4 months) | €20,000 |
| Total | €101,500 |
Scenario 3: Premium Salon, City Centre
A partnership is opening a destination salon near St. Stephen's Green
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deposit (6 months @ €5,500) | €33,000 |
| Premium fit-out with designer | €95,000 |
| High-end equipment (6 stations) | €45,000 |
| Products & premium retail | €12,000 |
| Full technology stack | €5,000 |
| Legal, accounting, insurance | €6,000 |
| Professional branding & launch | €15,000 |
| Working capital (6 months) | €50,000 |
| Total | €261,000 |
How to Fund Your Salon
Option 1: Personal Savings
The most common route. No debt, full ownership, but requires patience.
Option 2: Bank Loan
AIB, Bank of Ireland, and others offer business loans.
- Typical rates: 6-10% APR
- Usually need 20-30% own contribution
- Business plan required
Option 3: Credit Union
Often more flexible than banks, especially for smaller amounts.
Option 4: Microfinance Ireland
Loans from €5,000 to €25,000 for small businesses.
- Designed for those who can't get bank loans
- Government-backed
Option 5: Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Grants
- Feasibility grants up to €5,000
- Priming grants up to €15,000
- Must be referred by LEO
Option 6: Investors/Partners
Bring in a business partner who contributes capital.
Money-Saving Tips
- Start smaller - One busy chair beats four empty ones
- Buy used equipment - Quality secondhand saves 40-60%
- Negotiate everything - Rent, fit-out quotes, equipment prices
- DIY where possible - Painting, cleaning, small installations
- Phase your fit-out - Start functional, upgrade as you profit
- Skip the prime location - Build reputation, then move
- Lease equipment - Spreads cost, easier to upgrade later
The Bottom Line
Opening a salon in Dublin requires real money. But the range is huge - from €25,000 for a minimal solo setup to €300,000+ for a premium destination salon.
Most successful first-time owners land somewhere in the €50,000-€100,000 range.
The key is matching your budget to your business model. Don't open a premium salon on a budget fit-out, and don't waste money on features your target market doesn't care about.
Plan realistically. Budget conservatively. Build sustainably.
👉 Vinci 26 helps Dublin salons manage bookings, clients, and growth without marketplace fees or platform lock-in.
Build something that's truly yours.
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