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

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Starting a Barbershop in Kansas typically costs between $13,500 and $157,500, with a median estimate of $58,500. Kansas’s cost of living is 10% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Kansas costs $160 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 Kansas?

Low

$13,500

Medium

$58,500

High

$157,500

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

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Barbershop in Kansas

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$22,500

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$9,000

Barber Tools & Supplies

$2,700

State License & Business Permits

$900

Insurance

$1,350

Booking Software

$720

Marketing & Branding

$2,700

Working Capital Reserve

$9,000

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$48,870

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$48,870

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$4,500	$22,500	$72,000	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	$2,700	$9,000	$27,000	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$900	$2,700	$7,200	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$180	$900	$2,700	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$450	$1,350	$3,600	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$180	$720	$2,700	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$450	$2,700	$9,000	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$2,700	$9,000	$27,000	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$12,060	$48,870	$151,200	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Kansas

General Business License

Kansas does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Kansas Secretary of State and register with the Kansas Department of Revenue for sales tax purposes if selling taxable goods or services. Some Kansas cities require a local business license — Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City (Kansas) have their own licensing requirements. The state offers a one-stop business registration portal at KSBizCenter.org.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Establishment License — Kansas Department of Agriculture — Division of Food Safety
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor Registration — Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal or Local Jurisdiction
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Establishment License — Kansas Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Kansas Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Biennial
Child Care Center License — Kansas Department for Children and Families
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Fertilizer License — Kansas Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Liquor License — Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Cost: $400-$1,500 • Renewal: Annual
Motor Carrier Permit — Kansas Department of Revenue — Motor Carrier
Cost: $100-$400 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Kansas are regulated by local zoning ordinances in incorporated municipalities. Kansas's many small towns and rural communities are generally accommodating of home-based businesses. Wichita and larger Kansas cities allow home occupations with restrictions on commercial signage, customer traffic, and the proportion of home space used for business. Kansas's cottage food law supports home-based food production 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 Kansas Compares to Neighboring States

Kansas is one of the more affordable states for launching a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 89.8 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Nebraska ($59,150 median startup cost), Kansas offers lower costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Kansas (current)	$58,500	$160
Nebraska	$59,150	$105
Missouri	$59,800	$50
Oklahoma	$57,850	$100
Colorado	$68,900	$50

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 Kansas barber license from the Kansas Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Kansas Secretary of State ($160 filing fee)
3
Pass the Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas.