Nail salons and nail bars tend to run on high margins and frequent repeat visits, which makes them attractive to buyers. Fewer come to market than hair or beauty salons, so our figures for them rest on a smaller sample, but the way buyers value them is the same: the profit left for a working owner, adjusted for the lease, the team and how much the business depends on the owner.
What nail salons are selling for
Our price index tracks UK nail salons advertised for sale on the main business-for-sale marketplaces and specialist brokers. Between 8 September and 22 October 2026 we recorded 26 leasehold nail salons for sale. Where sellers state their profit, the median listing is advertised at 1.7 times it, across 11 listings.
| Lower quarter | Middle | Upper quarter | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asking price | £30,000 | £60,000 | £90,000 | 17 |
| Turnover | £55,000 | £114,500 | £150,000 | 21 |
| Asking price ÷ turnover | 37% | 42% | 79% | 15 |
| Asking price ÷ stated profit | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 11 |
These are asking prices. Agreed prices are usually lower once a buyer has seen the accounts, so treat these figures as a ceiling, which is why we value on profit rather than on what others are asking. The full figures, and how we compiled them, are in the Salon Price Index.
How buyers value a nail salon
Almost every owner-run nail salon is valued on the profit it leaves a working owner: net profit with the owner’s own salary, dividends and any personal costs added back. Buyers then apply a multiple that reflects the risk of that profit continuing under them.
Take a nail salon where the owner works in the business and is left with £35,000 a year once every cost is paid, before taking anything for themselves. At 1.2 to 1.8 times that figure, the business would be worth roughly £42,000 to £63,000, plus stock at valuation. The lease, the team and how long it has traded decide where in that range it lands.
Why you will see different multiples quoted
Some websites say salons sell for one to two and a half times profit, others say three or four times, and both can be right because they measure different profit. The lower figure applies to the profit left for a working owner before they pay themselves, which is how almost every owner-run salon is priced. The higher figure applies to profit after a manager has been paid a market salary to run it, which accountants call adjusted EBITDA. That is a smaller number, so the multiple on it is bigger. Applying the higher multiple to the bigger number is the most common way owners end up over-pricing their salon.
What moves the price
Repeat visits
Infills and maintenance appointments every two to three weeks give nail salons a dependable rhythm. A booking system that shows clients coming back is the best evidence a buyer can see.
Team stability
Nail technicians move between salons more than most. Long-serving technicians on proper contracts or agreements, who intend to stay, add real value.
Walk-in trade
High-street nail bars depend on footfall. Buyers look at the location, the parking and the opening hours as closely as the accounts.
Ventilation and premises
Extraction and ventilation matter for staff health and for landlords. A well-fitted salon saves a buyer money and questions.
Product and supply costs
Gel, acrylic and consumables are a bigger share of costs than in hair. Margins that look unusually high or low will be questioned.
Getting a figure for your nail salon
Our valuation calculator gives an instant range from eight questions. For a figure you can rely on, we will value your nail salon from your accounts and lease, free and in confidence. If you are ready to sell, our selling guide for nail salons explains how the process works.