Ravenwood Business Loans of Waukegan, IL wrote this post for Lake County, IL salon owners opening or refitting a space. It lists the equipment a hair or nail salon needs, separates movable equipment from build-out work, and shows which funding types can fit each.
Equipment used in a hair salon
- Styling chairs and stations with mirrors
- Shampoo bowls and chairs, or backwash units
- Hood dryers and processors
- Rolling carts and trolleys
- Reception desk and waiting furniture
- Sterilization and laundry equipment
- Booking and point-of-sale system
Nail salons add manicure tables, pedicure spas, UV or LED lamps, and ventilation for the work area.
Build-out: the part you cannot take with you
Plumbing for shampoo bowls and pedicure spas, added electrical capacity for dryers, ventilation, flooring, lighting and finishes are construction. They stay with the space. Before signing, confirm the space allows a salon and what permits the work needs; the Waukegan, IL zoning and permits guide lists the questions.
Which funding type fits which pile
| Cost | Usual funding type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chairs, stations, dryers, spas | Equipment financing | The equipment secures it and lasts years |
| Plumbing, electrical, finishes | Term loan | Long-lived but not movable |
| Opening stock of products | Inventory money or short working capital | Sold within months |
| Slow months after opening | Working capital | A short operating gap |
Salon equipment financing starts with a supplier quote. Card-heavy salons sometimes consider a merchant cash advance, a purchase of future card sales that is not a loan; for a build-out, compare its total dollar cost with a term loan first.
Lake County, IL salons in the Census counts
Lake County, IL had 252 beauty salons and 94 nail salons with employees in 2023 (County Business Patterns). In 2024, 1,272 beauty salons and 472 nail salons reported receipts without payroll (Nonemployer Statistics). Owners who rent chairs to independents should model chair rent with a vacancy or two. Ravenwood's notes on salon funding in Waukegan, IL go further.
Order of purchase (hypothetical plan)
- Lease signed with a contingency for approvals, if possible
- Build-out bid and permits
- Equipment ordered to arrive after rough-in, not before
- Products and opening stock last
Ordering chairs before the plumbing is done means paying for equipment that sits in boxes. Matching each purchase to its stage keeps payments from starting before the salon can earn.
Questions for the salon supplier and the contractor
- Which items need plumbing, electrical or venting, and who installs them?
- What is the lead time on chairs, spas and dryers?
- Is installation included in the equipment price?
- Who pulls the permits for the build-out?
- What warranty comes with new and used pieces?
Written answers to these go straight into a funding request: they show the partner what is being bought, when it arrives and who is responsible for each piece.
Used salon furniture
Used chairs and stations save money but have limited resale value, so partners may offer shorter terms or ask for a down payment. Inspect hydraulics and upholstery before buying. Local business data is on the Waukegan, IL data page; other posts are on the blog.
By Ravenwood Business Loans · Updated
