Not sure what to charge for your nail services? Here's a practical breakdown of UK nail tech pricing by treatment, region and experience - plus how to raise your prices without losing clients.
Pricing is one of the questions I get asked most - and it's no wonder, because charge too little and you'll burn out for barely any profit, charge too much too soon and you might struggle to fill your diary. Here's a practical look at what UK nail techs are actually charging, and how to work out your own prices with confidence.
What the Average Nail Technician Charges in the UK
Prices vary hugely by region and experience, but as a rough guide: a basic gel polish manicure typically costs £25-£35, BIAB/builder gel overlays £30-£45, and full sets of hard gel or acrylic extensions £40-£80. Salons in London and the South East tend to sit at the top of these ranges, while more rural areas often sit lower - though a strong reputation can command higher prices anywhere.
Employed vs Self-Employed Pricing
If you're employed, your salon sets the price and you're usually paid a wage or commission regardless of what the client pays. Self-employed nail techs set their own prices and keep the difference between what they charge and their costs - which is exactly why so many technicians move to self-employment once they're qualified and insured. It gives you full control over your earning potential.
How to Price by Treatment
Rather than guessing, work out your price per treatment based on three things: product cost, time taken, and your target hourly rate. For example, if a BIAB set takes 90 minutes, costs you £4 in product, and you want to earn £25/hour, you'd price it around £41. Doing this calculation for every service in your course menu means your prices are based on real numbers, not what feels comfortable.
Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake new nail techs make is pricing based on what they'd personally pay for a treatment, rather than what it costs to deliver and what the local market supports. Other common mistakes include never reviewing prices as you gain experience, offering too many discounts to friends and family, and not accounting for consumables, laundry, and insurance in your hourly rate.
How to Raise Your Prices Without Losing Clients
Give existing clients plenty of notice (a month is standard), explain the reason briefly if you want to, and apply the increase to everyone at the same time. Most clients who value your work will stay - and if a small handful don't, you'll usually make up the difference within a couple of bookings at your new rate.
Ready to Build a Profitable Nail Business?
If pricing, budgeting and building a fully booked diary feels overwhelming, our Booked and Beyond: The Complete Beauty Business Course walks you through it step by step. Prefer 1:1 support? Our Beauty Business Power Hour gives you a focused strategy session with Becci to price and plan with confidence.