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

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Starting a Barbershop in Montana typically costs between $15,900 and $185,500, with a median estimate of $68,900. Montana’s cost of living runs 6% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Montana costs $70 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 Montana?

Low

$15,900

Medium

$68,900

High

$185,500

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Montana

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$26,500

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$10,600

Barber Tools & Supplies

$3,180

State License & Business Permits

$1,060

Insurance

$1,590

Booking Software

$848

Marketing & Branding

$3,180

Working Capital Reserve

$10,600

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$57,558

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$57,558

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$5,300	$26,500	$84,800	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	$3,180	$10,600	$31,800	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$1,060	$3,180	$8,480	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$212	$1,060	$3,180	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$530	$1,590	$4,240	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$212	$848	$3,180	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$530	$3,180	$10,600	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$3,180	$10,600	$31,800	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$14,204	$57,558	$178,080	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Montana

General Business License

Montana does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Montana Secretary of State and register with the Montana Department of Revenue for withholding taxes. Montana has no sales tax, which simplifies business registration. Some Montana cities and counties require local business licenses. The state's outdoor economy and tourism industry influence many licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food and Drug Establishment License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Food and Consumer Safety
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor Registration — Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Employment Relations Division
Cost: $70-$250 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Outfitter License — Montana Board of Outfitters
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Child Care Licensing
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Beer or Liquor License — Montana Department of Revenue — Liquor Control Division
Cost: $400-$10,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Dealer License — Montana Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Montana face minimal regulation in rural and unincorporated areas, which make up most of the state's land area. Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls regulate home occupations through local zoning ordinances with standard restrictions on signage and customer traffic. Montana's cottage food law supports home-based food production. Remote home-based businesses are common in Montana's scattered rural communities.

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 Montana Compares to Neighboring States

Montana is a higher-cost state for starting a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 105.6 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring North Dakota ($64,350 median startup cost), Montana has higher costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Montana (current)	$68,900	$70
North Dakota	$64,350	$135
South Dakota	$63,050	$150
Wyoming	$65,000	$100
Idaho	$66,950	$100

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 Montana barber license from the Montana Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Montana Secretary of State ($70 filing fee)
3
Pass the Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana.