Pricing that pays
How to Price Braids & Styles: The Cost-Floor Method (With Calculator)
Most stylists price by screenshotting a competitor. That imports someone else's costs, someone else's speed, and someone else's mistakes. The cost-floor method prices from your numbers in three steps — and the calculator below runs it live.
Run your numbers
Step 1: Find your cost floor
Add the real cost of ONE appointment: product used (hair, oils, gel), your space cost divided by appointments (booth rent of $250/week over 10 appointments is $25 each), and a slice of tools and supplies. For most braiders this lands between $20 and $50 per appointment. Below this number, you are paying to work.
Step 2: Charge for the REAL hours
A style's hours include prep, takedown consult, and cleanup — not just braiding time. Pick your target hourly rate honestly: $35–$45 building your book, $50–$75+ once demand is proven. Price = (real hours × target rate) + cost floor. A 4.5-hour knotless install at $50/hour with $30 of costs is a $255 service. If your market "won't pay that" — check whether the pros who are booked out are charging it. They usually are.
Step 3: Put prices where people can see them
Hidden prices attract negotiators and price-shoppers; posted prices attract people who already said yes. Put the number on your booking page next to the deposit requirement. And use the waitlist rule: booked out more than two weeks = your price is low. Raise it 10–15%, announce it plainly, grandfather regulars one cycle.
Questions people ask
Should I charge less while I build my book?
Charge a founding-client discount off your REAL price ("$220, founding clients $180") rather than a low price. Discounts end; low prices become your reputation.
Do I charge for hair or have clients bring it?
Either works — but if you supply it, put the real cost plus a handling margin in your price. "Hair included" simplifies booking and usually wins.
How often should I raise prices?
Review every 6 months, raise when consistently booked out 2+ weeks. Small regular raises beat rare dramatic ones.