How to Price Nail Services: Gel, BIAB, Acrylic and Nail Art

Pricing is one of the hardest decisions for a nail salon. Price too low and you're fully booked but barely profitable. Price too high and the chairs sit empty while the salon down the road is busy. And with costs rising every year, the menu you set at opening rarely works three years later.

This guide gives you a simple method to price manicures, gel, BIAB, acrylics, pedicures and nail art — based on your own costs, not guesswork.

Step 1: Know your cost per hour

Every service uses technician time, products and a share of your fixed costs. Start by working out what one hour of a chair costs you:

  1. Add up your monthly fixed costs: rent, insurance, software, utilities, cleaning, marketing.
  2. Estimate how many technician hours you can sell in a month (not just open hours — realistic booked hours).
  3. Divide fixed costs by sellable hours. That's your overhead per hour.
  4. Add the technician's wage cost per hour, including super.

The result is the minimum an hour of work must bring in just to break even.

Step 2: Add product cost per service

Gel, BIAB, acrylic powder, tips, files and disposables all cost money. Estimate the product cost for each service — a gel manicure uses far less than a full acrylic set with art. Don't forget aftercare products you give away.

Step 3: Use real service times

Time each service as it's really done, including consultation, removal and clean-up. If a "45-minute" BIAB infill really takes an hour with removal, price and book it as an hour. Setting realistic durations in your booking system also stops the day from running late.

Step 4: Set the price and the margin

Price = (time × cost per hour) + product cost + profit margin. Then compare with nearby salons. You don't need to be the cheapest — clients pay more for skill, cleanliness, reliability and a good experience — but you should know where you sit.

Step 5: Price by skill level

Senior technicians who are faster and more skilled can charge more for the same service. Specialist pricing lets clients choose: a lower price with a newer technician, or a premium with a senior one. It also gives junior staff a path to grow.

Step 6: Make add-ons easy to say yes to

Nail art, French tips, chrome, gems, extra length and removals are natural add-ons. List them clearly on your menu and booking page with prices, so clients add them when booking instead of being surprised at the desk.

Step 7: Review prices regularly

  • Review your menu at least once a year, or when costs change.
  • Change prices in clean steps clients remember.
  • Update your menu, booking page and Google profile at the same time.
  • Let regulars know in advance — most will understand.

A quick pricing worksheet

  1. Monthly fixed costs ÷ sellable hours = overhead per hour
  2. + technician cost per hour
  3. × real service time
  4. + product cost
  5. + margin
  6. Check against your local market

Ukilu lets you set durations, add-ons and specialist prices for each service, and shows an original price crossed out when you run an offer — see the nail salon booking app.