How much does a mobile hairdresser cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per cut
£20 – £50
A mobile hairdresser in the UK typically charges £20–£50 for a cut, generally a little less than a high-street salon because there are no premises to pay for. Colour is priced separately and depends on how much product is used. The convenience is real — no travel, no waiting, and particularly valuable for anyone housebound, elderly or with young children.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Dry cut | £20 – £35 |
| Cut and blow dry | £30 – £50 |
| Root touch-up | £40 – £70 |
| Full colour | £60 – £120 |
| Children's cut | £12 – £20 |
| Travel outside local area | £5 – £15 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
What you need to provide
Less than people expect, but worth sorting before they arrive.
A chair, ideally one that is not precious, and space around it. A kitchen or bathroom is usually the easiest room — hard floor, near a tap.
Access to water for anything involving washing or colour. Some mobile hairdressers bring portable basins; many use your kitchen sink or shower.
A power socket for dryers and straighteners.
And somewhere for hair to fall that you do not mind sweeping. Most bring their own gown and towels, but confirm — some ask you to provide towels, particularly for colour work where they can stain.
Good lighting matters more than people realise, especially for colour. Natural daylight is ideal.
Colour: patch tests and why they matter
If you are having colour, a skin allergy test is expected before the first appointment, usually 48 hours ahead. This is not a formality.
Some permanent colours contain PPD and related compounds, and reactions can be severe. Manufacturer instructions require testing, and professional insurance generally depends on it having been done.
A mobile hairdresser who arranges a patch test before your first colour is following the rules and protecting you. One who offers to skip it because you have had colour before is taking a risk with your health and their insurance — sensitisation can develop at any time, including to a product you have used for years.
Expect to be asked about previous reactions, medication and whether you have had henna or box dye recently — the last one matters, because some home colours react badly with professional products.
Mobile versus salon
Mobile is usually cheaper, because there is no rent, no reception and no salon overhead. The saving is genuine rather than a compromise on skill — many mobile hairdressers are experienced stylists who have chosen to work independently.
What you lose is the salon's equipment: backwash basins, colour processing under proper lighting, and a colleague to consult on a difficult colour correction. For complex colour work, a salon still has advantages.
What you gain, beyond price, is time. No travel, no waiting, and appointments that can fit around a nap or a school run.
For elderly or housebound clients, mobile hairdressing is often the only realistic option, and many mobile stylists build much of their round around exactly that.
How to keep the cost down
Book several people in the household in one visit. Travel is charged once, and most stylists will price a family visit keenly.
Go for a dry cut where it suits your hair — it is meaningfully cheaper than cut and blow dry.
Stretch colour appointments with root touch-ups between full colours rather than full colour every time.
Be ready when they arrive: chair out, floor clear, hair washed if that is what has been agreed.
And book a regular slot. Most mobile hairdressers build a round and will prioritise and sometimes discount regulars.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mobile hairdresser cost?+
£20–£35 for a dry cut and £30–£50 for a cut and blow dry. Colour is separate: roots £40–£70 and full colour £60–£120.
Is mobile cheaper than a salon?+
Usually, because there are no premises costs. The saving reflects overheads rather than skill — many mobile stylists are experienced salon-trained hairdressers working independently.
What do I need to provide?+
A chair, space, a power socket and access to water. Most bring gowns and towels, but confirm — some ask you to supply towels, particularly for colour.
Do I need a patch test for colour?+
Yes, normally 48 hours before your first colour appointment. Some colours contain compounds that can cause severe reactions, and sensitisation can develop even to products you have used for years.
Can they do colour at home as well as a salon?+
For most colour work, yes. Complex corrections benefit from salon equipment and lighting, so discuss ambitious changes before booking rather than on the day.
Is there a travel charge?+
Often £5–£15 outside their normal area. Booking several people in the household in one visit spreads that across all of you.
Related price guides
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