What Do You Want ?

Some salon design services may feel better on your wallet but are not ideal, especially if you require 3D interior drawings or technical salon equipment instructions. Also, the most expensive design packages on the market may not necessarily be the best option for you, in fact, your best deal will be from companies that offer a 100% refundable design service.  A comparison and deeper understanding of the different salon planning & interior design services available will help you choose your best option.

Whether you are undertaking a new salon opening or an existing salon refurbishment you will undoubtedly require some form of salon design or plans. Depending on the extent of the works to undertaken this will determine the level of plans you will need, a quick refresh of an existing salon then a simple scaled floor plan may suffice. A new salon build with major construction work then a full salon design service will be necessary.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

Both services have a different initial cost but choose the right design company & these services could end up being free!

Inspiring salons offer all levels of salon design at varying costs, but all design fees are 100% refundable* 

Firstly to explain the difference between a Salon Plan and a Salon Design service I will list what you should expect as a minimum from both of these options (and both options will have some overlapping items) 

Nowadays with the advent of Pinterest and other such web-based platforms becoming your own interior designer has never been so available. Expressing your design flair into some form of visual media is now so easy.

However, there may be occasions where you will be required to produce a detailed plan of your design interior, this could be when requesting permission from your landlord to carry out works.

If you are opening a new salon a scaled 2D salon floor plan will be required by the leaseholder, for records and dilapidations. Your insurance company, local planning officer, and perhaps the fire authority will all require detailed floor plans.

Because these services are not concerned with your interior colour design, choice of wood finishes, etc just the physical salon layout.  All they require is a scaled 2D salon design, this is when you would ask a salon design team to produce a set of accurate salon plans.

Once you have decided to undertake a project you will require finalised salon interior plans, so builders can supply accurate quotes.  Also once the work starts the plans are an essential guide for all trades to follow.

When instructing a salon design company to produce this drawing, be advised it will take many options to finally produce the final salon layout you are happy with, so all parties should be clear from the onset that the fee payable is for a multitude of sets of 2D floor drawings.

As important before paying any fee double-check the time scale, for both the site visit and the production of the first initial drawings.

Here at Inspiring Salons, we promise an immediate visit to the site, whenever is suitable with the client, then we guarantee first salon designs next day - 24hrs.

We have been known to carry out the drawing on-site with the client watching us design the salon on screen, then with the beauty of WiFi send the client PDFs at that instant.

This service we offer is 100% refundable*   

What to look for with a good Salon Plan Service

1. Rapid appointment for a site visit.
2. Immediate production of initial salon drawings.
3. Drawings to be scaled 2D salon floor plans.
4. At least 3 initial versions of a salon design, to give you some thought and imagination.
5. Free unlimited versions until you have your final design.
6. Drawings to make plumbing and electric "runs"
7. Position of any specific electric points e.g. sockets at styling mirrors.
8. All salon equipment is marked in position, dimensions of the equipment shown, and location distances.
9. Separate drawings for any detailed areas e.g. backwash area, beauty rooms.
10. Any technical drawings and installation instructions of any specific salon equipment.
11. Fire exits shown
12. Electric meters, gas & water inlets marked on the plans.
13. Confirmation that you are able to discuss any changes with the designer drawing the salon plans, also that you can send back plans with your marked changes.
14. Unlimited communication with the design team.
15. Final salon plans supplied on A4 & A3 hard copies as well as in PDF format.

An important footnote to mention - all our salon drawings are produced by the same designers who will visit your salon or potential new salon.  This is important because designing a salon is not just transferring measurements into a computerised drawing program, but it also involves thought, imagination, and visibility.  These are not available if your design is "outsourced" to a third-party drawing company.

Once you have your ideas and designs collated for the new project you may want to see how they look in combination with your ideas for the salon layout.  A salon design team will not just take your ideas, but they will discuss and critique and give honest opinions. 

Most will definitely offer other ideas and perhaps solutions to areas you are having difficulty with.

As we have mentioned our design fee should be looked at as an investment, not an expenditure.  We will advise on the project budget, time scale, what works are necessary and or essential.  A successful outcome is to our benefit also.

What to look for with a good Salon Design Service

All points 1 through to 15 regarding "what to look for with a good salon planning service.  But also:-

1. Production of Mood Boards, in keeping with the client's design ethos.
2. Salon equipment upholstery colour swatches.
3. Designs of any custom-made salon furniture.
4. Designs or details of any signature design pieces.
5. 3D drawings of the salon interior.
6. 3D drawings of any custom-made salon furniture.
7. Colour swatches of any wood or laminate finishes.
8. Details of any design ideas and new technology.
9. Advice on purchasing salon equipment.
10. Access to our trade discount on salon equipment.
11. Advice on building companies.
12. Help with salon finance.

Again this Salon Design Service is 100% refundable * through Inspiring Salons Ltd

Great design is the result of a process.... let us take the journey together.... Inspiring Salons Ltd

This article was written by Mike Cooper – Owner of Inspiring Salons Ltd – About Us.  

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail - Mike Cooper MD of Inspiring Salons Ltd.