If you’re like most salon owners, you know you need to remodel your salon to keep it current and to make sure your customers keep coming back, but the cost and inconvenience can be overwhelming. So how do you decide when and how to remodel? Ron Provenzano, co-owner of Zano Salons & Day Spas based in Naperville, Ill., recommends remodeling every five to seven years. “In between remodels, there are a number of quick changes that you can make to keep your salon looking fresh,” he says. “Changing lighting, paint, and laminates can make a big difference in the look of your salon and cost only a fraction of what a full remodel can cost.”

Provenzano offers the following remodeling tips.

  • ü Start planning early. It’s never too early to begin planning the remodeling process. Provenzano begins working on a remodel at least nine months before the actual work begins.
  • ü Never close. Provenzano warns against dosing during a remodeling. “We learned the hard way,” he says. “We closed one of our salons for a month when we remodeled and almost went out of business. Now we know to hire the right contractor, who can work around our hours. I have found that guests understand if you put up a sign telling them that you are working to improve the salon for them, We never close for more than one or two days.”
  • ü Involve your staff. “It’s important to include your staff in the remodeling process,” says Provenzano. “It helps to build their morale and buy in. But make sure to do your homework first. You can get ideas by checking out other salons and department stores and talking with your contractors and vendors. Once you have some ideas about what you want, your staff can help you narrow down the choices.”
  • ü Start with a budget. Once you have a budget in mind, you can then start to narrow down what you can and can’t do. Provenzano warns against settling for something you really don’t want. “If I can’t get the quality of something I want or if it’s not in my budget, I won’t, do it,” he says. “I will just wait and save for it. I know I wouldn’t be happy with it in the end.”
  • ü Ask for help. If you rent your salon space, you may be able to get some assistance from your landlord. “Always ask for help from your landlord and vendors,” says Provenzano. “If your lease is about to expire, your landlord may be willing to work with you to keep you there “
  • ü Always be on the lookout. Provenzano recommends looking at your salon on a weekly basis. Look for paint that has chipped, dirty spots, and minor problems that can be fixed easily and can improve the look of your salon in between remodelings.
  • ü Look for ways to increase revenue. When remodeling, always look for ways to add new services and new dollars. “If you’re turning away pedicure clients because you don’t have enough stations, consider adding one into your remodel,” adds Provenzano.

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