Why doesn't this worksheet list dollar amounts?
Because suite costs swing widely by city, building and specialty, and published averages go out of date quickly. A downtown suite with laundry and marketing included prices differently from a suburban building that charges for everything. The reliable numbers are the ones you collect: written quotes from two or three suite buildings and at least one equipment dealer.
Treat this page as a checklist. For each line below, write down the quoted amount, whether it's one-time or recurring, and which funding source fits. By the end you'll know your real startup total and your real monthly break-even.
Line 1: What do the lease deposit and first rent include?
Most suite buildings ask for a deposit plus first rent before move-in, and some add a one-time setup or key fee. Rent may be charged weekly or monthly, with utilities, Wi-Fi, laundry and shared marketing included or billed separately. Ask for the full fee schedule and lease length in writing so no line surprises you later.
- Security deposit and first rent period
- Setup, key or signage fees
- What's included: utilities, laundry, Wi-Fi, shared reception, marketing
- Lease length, renewal terms and early-exit rules
Usual funding: savings or working capital, since deposits aren't equipment.
| Budget line | One-time or recurring | Usual funding |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit and first rent | One-time, then recurring rent | Savings or working capital |
| Chair, station, shampoo bowl, dryer | One-time | Equipment financing |
| Opening product and retail | One-time, then restocks | Working capital, later a line of credit |
| Booking and payment software | Recurring | Monthly operating budget |
| Insurance | Recurring | Monthly operating budget |
| Cash cushion | One-time reserve | Savings or working capital |
Lines 2 and 3: What equipment does a suite need?
A hair suite typically needs a styling chair, a station with storage, a shampoo bowl or backwash unit and a hood dryer or processor. Barbers swap in a barber chair; estheticians and lash artists need a treatment bed and lighting. Many buildings include some furniture, so confirm what's already there before collecting dealer quotes.
- Styling or barber chair
- Station, mirror and storage
- Shampoo bowl or backwash unit, if the building doesn't supply one
- Hood dryer, processor or other heat tools
- Trolley, tool storage and sterilization
Usual funding: equipment financing, often with several items on one dealer quote. Delivery and installation can usually be included when itemized.
Line 4: How much opening product should I stock?
Enough to deliver your first few weeks of booked services, plus a small retail shelf built around products your clients already buy. Opening orders are usually bigger than normal restocks because you're starting from an empty cabinet. Base the order on your actual appointment book, not a distributor's promotion minimum.
Backbar color and developer, lighteners, treatments, foils and disposables come first. Retail is optional on day one: start with a few proven sellers and expand once you see what moves. Usual funding: working capital for the opening order, then a line of credit for restocks once you're established.
Line 5: What software and systems do I need?
At minimum, online booking, card processing and a simple way to track income and expenses. Many suite owners add automated reminders, client notes and inventory tracking. Software is usually a monthly subscription rather than a startup lump sum, so it belongs in your recurring budget, but set it up before move-in so clients can rebook right away.
Card processing matters for more than convenience. Deposits into a business account create the revenue history funding partners review later, when you want a line of credit or new equipment. Don't route suite income through personal payment apps.
Line 6: How big should my insurance and cash cushion be?
Insurance requirements are often set in the suite lease, so read that first and get quotes for the coverage it requires. The cushion should cover several weeks of rent, product and personal draw, sized from your own numbers. It's the line owners most often cut and most often regret, because early weeks are rarely as full as expected.
BeautyFundr doesn't give insurance, tax or legal advice. Ask a licensed insurance agent what coverage fits, and a tax professional how startup costs affect your return. Usual funding: savings or working capital. For the bigger picture of the move, read going from booth rental to your own suite.
Frequently asked questions
Which suite costs can be financed as equipment?
Chairs, stations, shampoo bowls, backwash units, dryers, treatment beds and lighting bought from a dealer typically qualify. Deposits, product, software and insurance don't, because there's no equipment to secure them, so those usually come from savings or working capital. Splitting the budget this way keeps equipment on a longer, often less expensive term.
How much cash cushion should I keep?
Many owners plan several weeks of rent, product and personal draw, but base it on your own numbers. Look at your slowest recent month of deposits and ask how long you could cover suite rent at that level. A bigger cushion matters most if you're moving in just before a traditionally quiet season.
Are suite rents weekly or monthly?
It depends on the building. Some bill weekly and others monthly, and what's included varies widely. Compare the total monthly cost across buildings, including extra fees, rather than the headline rent. Then time your funding payments so they don't land in the same week as a large rent payment.
Where do I find real startup costs?
Collect written quotes. Tour two or three suite buildings and ask for their full fee schedule, get a dealer quote for every piece of equipment you need, and price your opening product order with your distributor. Those numbers are specific to your city and specialty in a way no published average can match.
Can I apply for funding before I sign a suite lease?
Yes, and it's usually wise. Knowing what you can comfortably carry helps you pick the right building and avoid over-furnishing. Bring the letter of intent or lease you're considering and your equipment quotes, so the options you see reflect your actual suite rather than a guess.
Turn your worksheet into a plan
Share your quotes and suite details and review the options your file supports.
Updated September 14, 2026 · BeautyFundr Funding Team