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The rental of chairs or cabins is tending to develop around the world, particularly through platforms such as BeautyCab. It is a proven model, especially in the United States where this mode of operation is already well established. It has many advantages, both for the salon and for the independent beauty professional.
However, to ensure that everything runs smoothly, it is necessary to prepare a written and signed contract.
In fact, in this time of pandemic, hiring a chair (or booth) could be a good way to support and boost your barbershop or salon. This can be a great way to bring in new hairdressers, barbers or creative stylists without hassle. It also provides the salon with a passive income supplement and an option to expand the range of services your business can offer.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly, here are a few things to consider if you decide to rent a chair in your salon or barbershop.
In most lounges, it regularly happens that a chair or a booth is not used and is therefore available to receive an extra collaborator. This available space is a gold mine that you can rent to freelancers.
So, whether it is a one-off or a more regular occurrence, you can receive money for those who work in your establishment. You optimise your costs by reducing salary costs without leaving any empty space.
A chair or cabin hirer is self-employed. He or she is not an employee of your company.
This is why it allows great flexibility. You can rent your space temporarily, for example to replace an employee who is on leave or off work, or you can rent it on a regular basis, for example on busy days or on your employees' days off.
It may also happen that your chair or booth is free for a longer period, especially if one of your employees resigns and you have not yet found a replacement.
Whatever the case, the flexibility is enormous and makes it possible to make up for potential losses in turnover without risk and without any real commitment.
Renting a chair to an independent hairdresser makes the salon more dynamic. Through the activity of the tenant, additional customers are present, the salon appears more lively from the outside and therefore more attractive. It is well known that the world attracts the world.
By renting your free seats or cabins, you will discover new talents. Take advantage of it!
It is very likely that the person you choose will be able to teach you new techniques and train you, as you will also be able to train him/her on other techniques.
Eventually, you will learn from each other to improve both of you.
As a freelancer, you also have a lot of flexibility. It is up to you to choose the days and hours you want to work (in agreement with the salon manager, of course!). It is also possible to have the salon all to yourself sometimes!
Finally, it is also possible to work in different salons on different days. These are good opportunities to discover different worlds and to keep the best of each.
If you switch from hairdressing (or beauty) at home to renting a chair or booth, you will save on time and travel costs without losing your customers. It is also a good idea to choose salons that are close to your regular customers so that you do not lose them!
Working alone can sometimes be depressing, but being part of a salon could boost your motivation and offer you opportunities.
For example, if there are services that you specialise in that the salon does not offer, you could benefit from additional turnover from the salon's own clientele.
Although there are many advantages to chair hire, it is not all plain sailing and there are risks to consider before you start.
As a chair tenant does not work directly for you, you have limited control over some of the things that can affect your living room.
For example, if the service or attitude of the hairdresser/stylist does not fit in with the culture and standards of your establishment, it will be difficult for you to resolve this in the same way as you do with your own staff. This is because you will not have a subordinate relationship with the freelancer - i.e. you are not allowed to give them orders or manage them.
It is important to remember that the armchair tenant is running a competing business not only on your premises, but also among your employees and customers.
You should set clear non-competition rules from the beginning. For example, put it in writing that you are not allowed to take each other's clients.
By being your own boss, you will obviously lose all the advantages of an employee. First of all the salary, which will not be fixed and may vary according to your own work. In the slack months you may not receive a salary.
You will also not be entitled to paid leave or sick leave.
Of course, we encourage you to choose salons that suit you.
However, you must be aware that this lounge will never reflect you 100%. The decor and atmosphere of the living room cannot be changed and you will have to adapt to it.
If you have a small salon with few clients and don't want to take the risk of employing someone, then chair hire can be a great way to get an income.
Also, if you want to introduce a new service in your salon, and you cannot afford to employ a specialist, this can be a way in.
The downside is that if they are very successful, their income can be substantial and this could have been your profit if you had gone the employee route.
It is important to have a service contract between the hairdresser and the salon. However, it is important not to confuse this with an employment contract.
You will need to sign a service contract setting out the terms of the agreement between the salon and the self-employed person.
We advise you to define a duration (which you may or may not extend at a later stage) with early termination clauses in case the collaboration does not work out as desired.
Also agree and note on the contract:
Of course, you still need to define the billing model.
There are two main ways to hire a chair or booth in a salon, but whichever system you choose, it's important to make sure the terms are clear from the start.
This method is the easiest for both parties. Both parties know their income and expenses in advance. The owner of the establishment assumes all the usual expenses of the salon and the tenant pays a regular fixed rent whatever the time spent in the salon (within the defined hours) and whatever the number of clients treated.
Although this arrangement guarantees a fixed amount, it can be a bit irritating for the salon if the hairdresser brings in a lot of money, but the salon does not receive any extra profit.
This rent can be weekly or monthly.
Rather than charging rent, this method involves receiving a percentage of the hairdresser tenant's income. It can be a simple 70/30 split for example or can be conditioned by a minimum or maximum charge.
Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to consider your salon's needs before making a deal.
Whichever method you choose, it is important to ensure that the terms are clear from the outset. Having a written agreement is in everyone's commercial interest. That way, any potential misunderstandings around your arrangement can be resolved easily.
In order to facilitate all the steps, initiatives have been launched recently, such as BeautyCab.
It is a platform that connects independent beauty professionals with salons that have chairs or cabins available.
They even take care of the paperwork and contracts so you don't have to stress about it.
For more business advice, communication... Discover Wavy, the software that allows you to develop the activity of your hairdressing salon or beauty institute by accompanying you on the communication of your salon.
If you don't have Wavy yet and you want to know what features we offer, contact us for a free demo.
