How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Georgia?

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Starting a Barbershop in Georgia typically costs between $14,100 and $164,500, with a median estimate of $61,100. Georgia’s cost of living is 6% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Georgia costs $100 to file. Most barbershop businesses take 2-4 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Barbershop startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Georgia?

Low

$14,100

Medium

$61,100

High

$164,500

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

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Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Georgia

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$23,500

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$9,400

Barber Tools & Supplies

$2,820

State License & Business Permits

$940

Insurance

$1,410

Booking Software

$752

Marketing & Branding

$2,820

Working Capital Reserve

$9,400

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$51,042

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$51,042

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$4,700	$23,500	$75,200	A 4-chair shop needs 600-1,000 sq ft. Classic barber shop aesthetic (brick, dark wood, vintage chairs) drives repeat visits.
Barber Chairs & Equipment	$2,820	$9,400	$28,200	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$940	$2,820	$7,520	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$188	$940	$2,820	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$470	$1,410	$3,760	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$188	$752	$2,820	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$470	$2,820	$9,400	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$2,820	$9,400	$28,200	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$12,596	$51,042	$157,920	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Georgia

General Business License

Georgia does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Georgia Secretary of State and may need to obtain a sales tax number from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Individual counties and cities in Georgia issue occupational tax certificates (business licenses) which are required for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. Atlanta, Savannah, and other municipalities have their own licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Permit — Georgia Department of Public Health or County Health Department
Cost: $50-$500 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Biennial
Cosmetology Shop License — Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Georgia Real Estate Commission
Cost: $170-$400 • Renewal: Every 4 years
Child Care Learning Center License — Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Alcohol License — Georgia Department of Revenue — Alcohol and Tobacco Division
Cost: $1,000-$5,000 • Renewal: Annual
Medical Practice License — Georgia Composite Medical Board
Cost: $200-$600 • Renewal: Biennial
Motor Carrier Registration — Georgia Department of Public Safety
Cost: $150-$500 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Georgia municipalities regulate home-based businesses through local zoning ordinances. Most Georgia cities and counties allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on exterior signage, non-resident employees, and customer traffic. Unincorporated county areas, particularly in rural Georgia, often have more permissive rules for home-based businesses. Georgia law supports cottage food operations from home kitchens with direct consumer sales.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Barbershop:

Low

$3,000/mo

Medium

$8,000/mo

High

$20,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$60,000 – $450,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

15-30%

Break-Even Timeline

6-18 months

How Georgia Compares to Neighboring States

Georgia is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 93.9 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($59,800 median startup cost), Georgia has higher costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Georgia (current)	$61,100	$100
Tennessee	$59,800	$300
North Carolina	$62,400	$125
South Carolina	$62,400	$110
Florida	$66,950	$125
Alabama	$57,200	$200

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Opening in a location with poor foot traffic — barbershops live on walk-ins plus loyal repeat clients
2
Not building a booking system early — appointment slots are inventory; wasted slots are revenue lost forever
3
Underpricing cuts — $25-$35 for a quality cut is standard; don't race to the bottom
4
Hiring barbers without confirming their state licensure status
5
Not creating a distinct brand and aesthetic that makes clients want to come back and refer friends

Next Steps to Launch Your Barbershop

1
Obtain your Georgia barber license from the Georgia Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Georgia Secretary of State ($100 filing fee)
3
Pass the Georgia health department inspection for your barbershop — includes sanitation practices and blade sterilization
4
Lease your space and outfit barber chairs, mirrors, back bar, wash stations, and waiting area ($5,000–$20,000)
5
Establish wholesale accounts for clippers, trimmers, barbicide, and grooming product suppliers
6
Get professional liability and general liability insurance for barbershop operations ($1,000–$3,000/year)
7
Set up your booking system — Square Appointments, Booksy, or GlossGenius work well for barbershops
8
Hire licensed barbers — verify all staff hold current Georgia barber licenses before their first cut

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening a barbershop costs $15,000 to $175,000. A small 2-chair shop in modest space can open for $15,000-$35,000. A 4-6 chair barbershop with premium aesthetic and equipment typically costs $50,000-$120,000. A high-end flagship barbershop with private suites and full grooming services can reach $175,000.

Barbershop owners earn $40,000-$120,000+ annually. A 4-chair shop with barbers averaging $400/day in cuts grosses $576,000/year. The owner takes 40-50% after paying barber commissions (50-60%), rent, and supplies. Booth rental shops where barbers pay rent have more predictable owner income.

You need a state barbershop establishment license ($50-$300), a business license, and all employed barbers must hold valid state barber licenses. Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of education at a licensed barber school plus a state licensing exam.

Booth rental ($200-$500/week per chair) provides predictable owner income regardless of individual barber performance. Commission (40-50% to barbers) rewards high performers but leaves owner income variable. Most shops start with commission to control quality, then offer booth rental to top performers who want independence.

A skilled barber sees 10-15 clients per 8-hour day, averaging 30-40 minutes per cut. At $35/cut with 12 clients/day, one barber generates $420/day or $100,000+/year. A 4-barber shop can generate $400,000+/year in gross revenue.

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Start a Barbershop in Other States

See the national overview for Barbershop or browse all businesses you can start in Georgia.