Mobile Barbering: Taking Your Chair to the Client

Marcus had been cutting hair for 12 years when he got the call that changed his business.

A tech startup CEO wanted a haircut before his investor pitch—but he couldn't leave his office. "Can you come to me? I'll pay whatever it takes."

Marcus grabbed his clippers, drove 20 minutes, and charged €120 for a 30-minute cut. On the drive home, he did the math: that single house call earned more per hour than his best Saturday at the shop.

That was three years ago. Today, Marcus runs his 4-chair barbershop Tuesday through Saturday—and does mobile cuts on Mondays. His mobile day alone brings in €800-1,200 per week.

Not every client wants to come to you. And some of your best margins are waiting outside your four walls.

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The Problem: Fixed Location, Limited Reach

Your shop has four walls. That's great for walk-ins and regulars.

But it also means:

• You only serve people who can physically get to you
• You're competing with every shop in your neighborhood
• Your income is capped by your chair hours

The fix: Take your skills on the road.

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The Problem: Inconsistent Income

Slow Tuesdays. Quiet January. The unpredictable rhythm of shop life.

The fix: Mobile clients often book differently. Corporate gigs pay upfront. Home visits can fill gaps in your schedule.

Mobile work doesn't replace your shop—it supplements it.

Real numbers from Marcus's Monday mobile route:

• 6 appointments, 8 hours total (including drive time)
• Average ticket: €85
• Fuel/expenses: ~€30
• Net take-home: €480 for one day
• That's €1,920/month from a single "slow day"

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The Problem: Premium Clients Want Premium Service

Some clients will pay 2-3x your normal rate for convenience.

But they won't come to you. They expect you to come to them.

The fix: Build a mobile offering for high-value clients who value their time more than their money.

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What You Need to Go Mobile

The Essentials

Nice to Have

• Portable vacuum (for cleanup) — €50-100
• Ring light (for tricky lighting situations) — €40-80
• Payment terminal (card reader) — SumUp: €39 one-time
• Branded apron/uniform — €50-100

Total investment: €690-1,630 for a complete mobile kit.

Pro tip: Start minimal. Your first 5-10 mobile clients don't need a fancy setup—they need a great haircut. Upgrade your kit as mobile income grows.

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Pricing Mobile Services

Mobile cuts are not the same as shop cuts. Price accordingly.

The Formula

Base haircut price + Travel fee + Convenience premium = Mobile rate

Real-World Pricing Examples

Scenario 1: Regular home visit client (15 min away)

• Shop haircut: €35
• Travel fee: €15
• Convenience premium: €10
• Mobile rate: €60 (71% higher than shop)

Scenario 2: Executive at downtown office (25 min away)

• Shop haircut: €35
• Travel fee: €25
• Convenience premium: €20 (they're expensing it anyway)
• Mobile rate: €80 (129% higher than shop)

Scenario 3: Wedding party groom + 4 groomsmen (40 min away)

• Per-person cut: €45
• Travel fee: Waived (volume)
• Group total: €225 for ~2 hours work
• Effective hourly rate: €112.50

Travel Fee Models

Warning: Don't undercharge to "get started." Clients who won't pay premium for mobile visits aren't your target market. Start at premium rates from day one.

Group Discounts

Multiple cuts at one location? Reduce the per-person travel fee.

• 1 person: Full travel fee
• 2-3 people: Split travel fee
• 4+ people: Waive travel fee, charge per cut

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Types of Mobile Work

1. Home Visits

Clients: Busy professionals, elderly, disabled, parents with young kids

Pros:

• High loyalty (they won't switch once comfortable)
• Premium pricing accepted
• Flexible scheduling

Cons:

• Setup/cleanup time at each location
• Variable working conditions
• Travel between appointments

Pro tip: Block home visits on specific days. Don't scatter them throughout the week. Marcus does all his home visits on Monday—clients know it, and it keeps his shop schedule clean.

Mini case study:

Elena, a mobile barber in Munich, built her entire Tuesday around three regular home-visit clients: a 78-year-old retired professor (€55), a work-from-home software developer who hates going out (€65), and a mother of triplets who can't leave the house (€70).

Same three clients every week. Same route. €190 every Tuesday for 4 hours of work including drive time.

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2. Corporate/Office Visits

Clients: Companies offering employee perks, executive grooming

Pros:

• Multiple clients in one location
• Recurring bookings (monthly, bi-weekly)
• Word-of-mouth within the company

Cons:

• Need space and privacy for setup
• Fixed time windows
• Invoice/payment logistics

How to pitch companies:

"I provide on-site grooming for your team—one afternoon per month, I set up in your office. Your employees get convenience, you get a unique perk that costs you nothing. I handle booking, payment, everything."

Pro tip: Start with one company. Do great work. Ask the office manager to introduce you to their contacts at other companies. Corporate gigs spread through networks.

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3. Events

Clients: Weddings, bachelor parties, corporate events, festivals, film/TV

Pros:

• High volume in short time
• Premium event pricing
• Exposure to new clients

Cons:

• Irregular schedule
• High pressure (no second chances)
• Equipment transport challenges

Sample event packages:

Warning: Always get 50% deposit for events. Wedding no-shows are rare, but bachelor party cancellations happen. Protect your time.

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4. Care Homes/Hospitals

Clients: Elderly residents, long-term patients

Pros:

• Consistent, recurring clients
• Deeply appreciated service
• Often underserved market

Cons:

• Lower per-cut pricing (€25-35 typical)
• Emotional demands
• Health/safety protocols

Pro tip: Partner with facility management for regular scheduled visits. Many care homes will promote your services internally and even provide a space to work.

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Insurance & Legal (Don't Skip This)

Before your first mobile cut, sort out:

Business insurance: Your shop policy likely doesn't cover mobile work. Talk to your insurer about extending coverage or getting a mobile rider. Cost: €100-300/year additional.

Liability coverage: What happens if you nick someone's ear in their living room? Make sure you're covered for work performed off-premises.

Trade license (Gewerbeschein): In Germany, mobile barbering is covered under your existing trade license—but confirm with your local Handwerkskammer if you're operating in a new city/region.

Vehicle insurance: If you're using your personal car for business purposes, your insurer needs to know. Some policies exclude commercial use.

Warning: One liability claim without proper insurance can wipe out years of mobile income. Get this right before you start.

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Building Your Mobile Client Base

Start With Your Existing Clients

Ask: "Do you know anyone who'd love a haircut but can't easily get to the shop?"

Parents, elderly relatives, busy executives—your clients know people.

Target Local Businesses

Email or walk into:

• Tech companies
• Law firms
• Co-working spaces
• Hotels

Partner With Event Planners

Wedding planners, corporate event organizers, bachelor party businesses.

Get on their vendor list.

Retirement Communities

Contact local care homes. Many residents struggle to get out for haircuts. Regular visits are a win-win.

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The Logistics

Scheduling

• Group mobile appointments geographically
• Don't zig-zag across the city
• Block specific days for mobile work (e.g., "Mondays are mobile days")

Booking: One System for Shop + Mobile

The biggest headache for mobile barbers? Running two separate systems—one for the shop, one for mobile.

You end up double-booked, confused about where you're supposed to be, or worse—you forget a mobile client's address because it was in a text thread somewhere.

What actually works: Use the same booking system for everything. Add "Mobile" as a service category. Include an address field. Set longer appointment times that account for travel.

Your clients book you the same way whether you're cutting at the shop or at their home. You see everything in one calendar.

This is exactly what Vinci 26 is built for—barbers who run a real business across multiple locations. One booking system, one client list, one calendar. Shop clients and mobile clients, all in one place.

Payment

• Take payment upfront or at time of service
• Deposits for new mobile clients (50% recommended)
• Corporate: Invoice with net-14 terms

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Common Mistakes

Underpricing. Mobile is premium. Price it that way.

Overcommitting. Start with 1-2 mobile days per week max.

Poor setup. Rushing setup means sloppy work. Build in time.

No deposits. Mobile no-shows hurt more. Require deposits.

Neglecting your shop. Mobile is a supplement, not a replacement.

Skipping insurance. One claim without coverage can ruin you.

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Is Mobile Right for You?

Yes if:

• You're comfortable working in unfamiliar environments
• You want to diversify your income
• You see underserved markets in your area
• You're organized and self-motivated

No if:

• You need the energy of a busy shop
• You hate driving/logistics
• You're already fully booked at your chair

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The Bottom Line

Mobile barbering isn't about leaving your shop. It's about expanding what "your shop" means.

Marcus didn't replace his four chairs—he added a fifth one that travels. €1,000+ per week, one "slow day" at a time.

Some of your best clients—and best margins—are waiting at home, at the office, at events.

Bring your chair to them.

👉 Vinci 26 helps barbers manage both shop and mobile bookings in one place—no double-booking, no confusion, no commission fees.

Build something that's truly yours.