Licences & Insurances

[rehab*michelle]

Hi all. I am setting up a salon and have one month to be open. Panic is setting in and I realise I need the basics covered. It is hair, beauty, tanning. What licences and insurances do I need and how long do they take and any handy tips? Note the landlord has a licence for A1 and A2 retail use at the unit.

 

[The Guild]

Hi all. I am setting up a salon and have one month to be open. Panic is setting in and I realise I need the basics covered. It is hair, beauty, tanning. What licences and insurances do I need and how long do they take and any handy tips? Note the landlord has a licence for A1 and A2 retail use at the unit.

First of all, each therapist will need Public, Product and Treatment liability cover for your treatments. You may also want to consider stock and equipment cover. Check with your landlord what cover he has for the building and contents to see what you are already covered for.

To discuss your individual needs, please feel free to call one of our Membership Advisors on 0845 2177 383. If you quote Geek as a referral code, we can give you a £10 discount.

 

[Just Hair Ins]

Hi, first and foremost good luck with the salon.

Basics: -

· Salon Insurance; covering contents/ stock/ tenants improvements*/ glass/ money/ business interruption/ public liability (including Treatment Risk) & Employers Liability (once you employ juniors/ trainees and/ or qualified hairdressers/ beauticians etc)
· The Treatment Risk is subject to a minimum number of years continuous experience and/ or approved qualifications for the position; check the insurance company's wording so you and your team meet the requirements.
· Salon Insurance is calculated on the number of factors namely the number of employed staff/ qualified hairdressers/ beauticians & what services are provided for the liability premium of the policy and whether you or your staff work away from the salon followed by the sums insured for stock/ contents/ tenants improvements. The balance of cover (Money/ Business Interruption/ Glass) are thrown in. Locality of the Salon and historical claims experience are also factors.
· There will be security conditions that must be met for theft and/ or theft related incidents to be insured namely (but not exclusively) key operated window locks for ground/ accessible opening windows. 5 lever mortise deadlock on entrance and exit doors. Security grills/ shutters and alarms help to reduce the premium unless your salon situates in what is deemed a high theft area.
· If you are using a builder/ contractor to refit the premises, ensure that you obtain proof of their insurance cover (Public Liability/ Employers Liability) and most importantly that they have what is called Contractors All Risks cover. If the premises is subject to a fire before hand over, the works/ refurbishment (cost to you) will not be insured unless the builder has cover (check the sums insured or ask their insurance broker for a summary of their cover for peace of mind). Equally, instruct your builder/contractor to comply with the minimum security requirements prior to opening the salon.
· I recommend obtaining an insurance quote prior to opening/ refit so you know your budget and what terms the insurance company/ broker requires.
· The landlord's licence for A1 and A2 meets the shop/ hairdresser requirements so no problem there.
· Ask the landlord to confirm that the premises has a valid Electrical Certificate issued by an NICEIC approved contractor; these last usually 5 years and will need to be renewed. Negotiate with the landlord before signing the lease so this keeps your costs down should the premises be uncertified.
· Speak to your local fire officer for guidance/ recommendations to negate fire incidents (fire alarm/ fire extinguishers/ fire blankets/ smoke detectors).
· You will be responsible for undertaking Risk Assessments including Fire; the HSE has a Hairdresser section with templates**
· A Health & Safety policy is a requirement once you have employed 5 persons (including you); something to think about prior
· Compulsory PAT Testing***
· Think about employment contracts and get these issued/ approved professionally
· If using Freelance Hair/ Beauty professionals, check that they have their own Public Liability (and Treatment Risk) insurance and you will want to see evidence
· Equipment purchased; check if any guarantee or maintenance is in force if not new (check the tube lifespan if tanning beds are used)

* this includes any alterations to the premises/ building such as partitioning/ new suspended ceiling, floor/ air conditioning systems etc

** http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/hairdressers.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/pdf/hairdressers.pdf

*** http://www.fire-riskassessment.com/pat-test.html

Assuming that hasn’t put you off, you should be ok