Planning a Salon or Spa Buildout in Houston
Hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, day spas and salon suite studios fill storefronts across the Houston area. To a landlord, a salon can look like a simple retail tenant. In practice, salon and spa buildouts need far more plumbing, ventilation and electrical capacity than a typical store, plus layouts that meet state cosmetology rules. Planning for those needs early keeps the project on track and avoids surprises after the lease is signed.
This guide walks owners, tenants and landlords through the planning steps for a salon or spa buildout. It is general information, not legal or design advice. Work with an architect, engineers and your attorney on your specific project.
Know the rules that shape the space
- State cosmetology and barbering rules: In Texas, salons and barbershops are regulated through TDLR's cosmetology program and barbering program. Their rules address sanitation, sinks, restrooms and other facility items. Read the current rules for your type of establishment before you design.
- Building and fire codes: Plan review and permits run through the Houston Permitting Center for properties in the city.
- Accessibility: Salons and spas are public accommodations. See ADA.gov for federal guidance, and note that Texas also has its own architectural barriers program through TDLR. Review obligations with your attorney.
- Massage and other services: Spas offering massage or other specialized services may have additional state requirements for those services.
Choose the right space
Look for:
- Plumbing access: Shampoo bowls, pedicure stations and treatment rooms need water and drains. In a slab-on-grade building, adding drains usually means trenching the slab.
- Water heating capacity: Salons use a lot of hot water. Plan space and gas or electrical service for adequate water heating.
- Electrical service: Dryers, styling tools, lighting and equipment add up quickly.
- Exhaust options: Nail salons especially need ventilation to manage odors and vapors. Check whether exhaust can reach the roof or an exterior wall.
- Parking and visibility: Walk-in business depends on easy parking and signage.
Second-generation salon space can save money if plumbing and electrical can be reused. Our guide to what to reuse in second-generation space explains how to evaluate it.
Plan the layout
A typical salon or spa layout includes:
- Reception, retail display and waiting
- Styling stations
- Shampoo area
- Color mixing or dispensary
- Pedicure and manicure stations
- Treatment rooms for facials, massage or other services
- Laundry for towels and linens
- Storage
- Restrooms
- Staff break area
Salon suite concepts divide the space into small private studios, each needing its own sink, lighting, outlets and sometimes HVAC control. That changes plumbing and electrical layouts significantly.
Plumbing
- Shampoo bowls: Each bowl needs hot and cold water and a drain, plus hair traps to keep drains clear.
- Pedicure spas: Need water, drains and often dedicated electrical. Some use pipeless designs that simplify cleaning.
- Hand sinks and dispensary sinks: Required in work areas by sanitation rules in many cases.
- Laundry: Washer and dryer hookups, with dryer venting.
- Water heaters: Size them for peak use with the plumbing engineer.
Plumbing work requires permits. Texas plumbing work is regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Ventilation and air quality
Chemical odors from nail products, color and other treatments affect staff and customers. Good design often includes:
- Source capture or ventilated tables at nail stations
- General exhaust and fresh air
- Separate exhaust for dispensary and laundry areas
OSHA's nail salon worker safety resources explain ventilation and chemical exposure concerns. A mechanical engineer should design the system. Houston humidity also makes dehumidification important for comfort and finishes.
Electrical and lighting
- Station circuits: Each styling station needs outlets for dryers, irons and clippers.
- Dedicated circuits: Pedicure chairs, dryers and laundry equipment.
- Lighting: Color accuracy matters for hair color and makeup. Plan good-quality lighting at stations, with softer lighting in treatment rooms.
- Emergency lighting and exit signs.
Finishes that hold up
- Flooring: Hair, water and chemicals are hard on floors. Sealed concrete, sheet vinyl or porcelain tile are common.
- Walls: Scrubbable finishes, especially near shampoo and color areas.
- Cabinetry and counters: Resistant to water and chemicals.
- Treatment rooms: Sound control for privacy and a calm feel.
Accessibility
Plan an accessible entrance, route, reception counter, restroom and at least some service positions. Accessibility rules have legal consequences, so work through them with your design professional and attorney.
Signage
Exterior signage often requires a separate permit and must meet sign rules and any landlord or deed restriction requirements. Our guide to storefront and facade refresh covers exterior improvements.
Lease questions for tenants and landlords
- Who pays for slab trenching and new plumbing?
- Can exhaust penetrate the roof, and who maintains it?
- Is there enough water heating and electrical capacity, and who pays for upgrades?
- What restoration is required at lease end?
- Is there a tenant improvement allowance?
Leases are legal documents, so review them with your attorney. Our guide to turnkey vs allowance tenant improvements explains common approaches.
Permits and opening
Expect building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits, plus inspections. Before opening, the space will need a certificate of occupancy. See our guide to certificates of occupancy for Houston lease spaces. The business will also need any required state facility registration before operating.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating plumbing: Every shampoo bowl and pedicure station adds drains and water.
- Skimping on ventilation in nail areas.
- Undersized water heating.
- Poor lighting at color and styling stations.
- Floors that can't handle water and chemicals.
- Signing a lease before confirming exhaust and utility capacity.
Quick checklist
- State facility rules reviewed for your services
- Space checked for plumbing, water heating, electrical and exhaust
- Layout planned for stations, shampoo, pedicure and treatment rooms
- Plumbing designed with hair traps and adequate hot water
- Ventilation designed for nail and color areas
- Station circuits and lighting planned
- Durable, cleanable finishes selected
- Accessibility reviewed
- Signage permits planned
- Lease reviewed with your attorney
- Permits, inspections and certificate of occupancy scheduled
With the plumbing, ventilation and electrical needs planned up front, a salon or spa buildout can open on schedule and serve customers well.
Planning a salon or spa buildout in Houston? BPC Development LLC provides free on-site estimates in Houston, TX. Call (281) 301-4737.