How to Price Nail Services: 7-Step Guide for a Profitable Nail Business
If you're thinking about starting a nail business or already running one, learning how to price nail services correctly is crucial to your success. Pricing not only affects your profitability but also shapes how your clients perceive the value of your work.
At TGB, we're dedicated to empowering nail techs at every stage of their journey, from providing premium professional nail supplies to industry-leading education and business advice. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to confidently set your nail services price list.
Whether you're launching your business or reviewing your rates, this guide on how to price nail services will help ensure your pricing is competitive, fair and profitable.
Why is it important to price nail services correctly?
Getting your prices right from the start is key to building a sustainable, successful nail business. Underpricing can lead to burnout and financial strain, while overpricing without clear value can put off potential clients.
Common pricing mistakes include:
- Not accounting for all business costs
- Undervaluing your time or skill level
- Copying competitors' prices without doing the maths
Avoiding these pitfalls can help you grow a profitable business that reflects your talent and supports your goals.
How to determine your nail pricing in 7 steps
To simplify the process, we’ve broken down pricing nail services into seven clear steps. Follow each one to build a nail services price list that works for you and your business.
Step 1. Calculate your overheads
Overheads are your ongoing business expenses — the essential costs of operating that don’t change based on how many clients you see. Common overheads include:
- Salon or studio rent
- Utilities (electricity, water, internet)
- Travel expenses (especially for mobile nail techs)
- Equipment maintenance
- Business software subscriptions
- Training courses or workshops
Once you've totalled your monthly overheads, divide that figure by the number of services you expect to perform monthly to calculate your overhead cost per treatment.
Step 2. Total your product costs
Next, you need to break down the cost of each treatment in terms of product usage. This includes:
- Product per service: Estimate the amount of product (e.g. BIAB™, gel polish) used per treatment.
- Cost per use: Divide the cost of a bottle by the number of uses it provides.
- Disposables: Include single-use items like wipes, files, foils and gloves.
TGB’s Pricing Calculator is designed to take the guesswork out of these calculations and ensure 100% accuracy.
Step 3. Account for your time
Time is money, and your hourly rate should reflect your experience, skills and the market you’re in. Start by setting a base hourly rate (e.g. £25–£45/hour) and apply it to the average time each service takes.
Remember to include:
- Client consultation time
- Service time
- Clean-up and sanitisation
- Aftercare communication
Services such as BIAB™ or nail art may warrant a higher rate due to the skill and time involved.
Step 4. Consider additional costs
Don’t forget about other essential costs that support your business, such as:
- Marketing and social media tools
- Taxes and accountancy fees
- Business insurance
- Ongoing training and certifications
Investing in your skills through TGB Academy’s accredited nail tech courses not only increases your earning potential but can justify higher prices through enhanced service quality.
Step 5. Research your competitors
Research local competitors who offer similar services. Look at their pricing, service duration and client experience, but avoid undercutting just to attract clients. Undervaluing your work can lead to burnout and low profit margins.
Instead, use competitor research as a benchmark, and price your services based on your own business needs, brand, and expertise.
Step 6. Create your nail services price list
Using your cost breakdowns and time estimates, you can now build your price list for nail services. This list should be structured logically:
- Basic gel manicure (shorter time, fewer products) = lower price
- BIAB™ or nail art designs (more time, more product) = higher price
Don’t forget to factor in your location, client demographic and brand positioning when finalising your pricing.
Step 7. Monitor and re-adjust prices accordingly
Your business costs will evolve over time, from rent increases to rising product prices. Review your pricing every 6–12 months to ensure you're still making a sustainable profit.
Make small, consistent changes as needed and always communicate clearly with clients about any pricing updates.
Additional tips to protect business profit
Beyond setting your prices, there are other strategies to maintain and grow your profitability:
Loyalty schemes
Encourage return clients by offering loyalty incentives, such as discounts after a set number of visits or referral rewards. This helps build a reliable, recurring client base.
Tiered pricing
Tiered pricing is a smart way to price more complex services like nail art. For example:
- Simple designs: +£5
- Intermediate: +£10
- Advanced: +£15+
This ensures you're fairly compensated for your time and skill.
Deposits or advance payments
No-shows can severely impact your income. Requiring deposits or full payment at the time of booking can minimise this risk and help secure your schedule.
Elevate your nail services with The GelBottle
Whether you're a mobile tech or salon-based, TGB offers a complete range of professional products to help you deliver exceptional results.
Explore everything from salon essentials and gel nail polish colours to BIAB™, nail art, and TGB SPA™.
Looking to streamline your shopping? Our kits and bundles make it easier to stock up on essential nail tech supplies.
Want to expand your service list and increase your earning potential? TGB Academy offers accredited courses that can help you elevate your skills and stand out in your local market.