Tipping at Home Hair Salon?

I would tell them they don't have to go crazy, but a small tip ($3-5) would be appreciated. I just think a tip is always a reflection of the service you get. I never think of things like "overhead" when tipping. And I think that is a poor excuse for not tipping.

Hi Marie, they should tip as they would if they went to a shop. The tip is not because of the location but because of the service. If the service is good, then the tip should reflect it or at least what the person can afford. And, they are getting a good deal only having to pay $30.
V....

Tip, always. It's a service, and as such, a tip is very much appropriate. $30 for a haircut is nothing... most places charge $50! So a $5 tip in there is hardly a lot.

I used to do hair for people in my home... most were friends or friends of friends. I never expected a tip when doing it in my home since I had no overhead unless it was a chemical process so I was pocketing 100% of it. Most people would tip anyhow though since the prices could not be beat! I did "expect" one though if I was traveling to thier homes since I had the gas cost then. Of course it is never mandatory and but getting one was always a nice bonus especially when they give that look when they see how great they look! Just make sure your friends bring exactly what they may end up wanting to give or make sure the friend with the salon in the home always has change to break whatever bill they may have.
Good luck to your friend starting the business! Blessings to all!

i go to an at home salon and because I can get in just about anytime I want and it is a lot less than some fancy salon I am more willing to tip more, the haircut is actually better than those pricey places, I think you tip for your satisfaction.

you should ask your friend to ask her hairdresser friend if she expects tips and then tell us all what she said!! $30 is too expensive in my mind to get an at home haircut to begin with, unless she is awesome!! I was getting mine cut for $25 in a home. I usually tipped a lot because it was awesome!! But one day I was low on cash and only tipped $3 and she never returned my calls for a booking since!?!?!

I have a friend who does hair full time. She makes less that 20,000/year. I say tip! Not to mention, back in high school I worked the desk at a salon. Almost everyone tipped.

They should definitely give a tip. They probably give a tip to the hair stylist that they normally go to. Why would this be any different?

I would absolutely tip if I liked my haircut.$30 is super cheap too. I always tip 20% for good service, more for great service.

Tipping the owner of a salon (whether at her own home or at an exterior storefront) is not necessary. The owner retains all the profit from all the paid services after the overhead costs are paid (the overhead for an at-home salon includes the cost of the shampoo/conditioner used and the electricity used to dry your hair.)

Tips are given to a (non-owner) employee for a job well done, in order to funnel money directly to her own pocket (which she doesn't have to turn over to the salon).

I am licensed cosmetologist that works from my home and we give you the same services, use the same electricity and water as in the salon so shouldnt be compensated any differently.

Funny, another tipping question... I believe that the rule is that the owner of any establishment should not accept tips. So since it's her house, I'd say that she probably should not be accepting them. However, I think that most likely I'd offer one anyway. Times are tough these days. If she's very ethical, she won't accept it. Otherwise you'll be tipping her every time...

One time several years ago the owner of our fave pizza joint (La Gondola) ended up delivering our food for some reason. I don't know if they were just really busy that night or what... but he flat out refused the tip I was trying to give him. Once he told me he was the owner, I understood...

Back in the day, you never tipped the owner. Their profit was included in the fee.

So I'd say NO. I don't tip my hair dresser, as she owns her own shop. Her profit should be included in the price.

I do give her some money at xmas time (like 50 bucks or something).

I don't know about others, but in this case I would give a tip (of course, if I thought the work was good).

I have tipped at home stylists.

I really believed that because a person owned a salon and they were the owner/stylist (regular salon or home salon), it was not necessary to tip. And the post who said that $30 is "really cheap" for a hair cut????? I don't think it is outrageous but I do think it is a little high. It's higher than I pay in a home salon, even with styling. The salon hair cut that I got without styling, drying, etc... was just under that, then I tipped. At the regular salon, I started just getting it cut, minus styling, because I got tired of going to someone who would overbook appointments and make me wait. Also, phone calls would be taken while cutting my hair. The last straw was when a Salesman came out to make a pitch to him about a line of products - while cutting my hair. Huh??? Amazingly, it was a very posh shop.

My home stylist does a fantastic job and books up quickly. She has all of her customers schedule their next appointment before they leave the shop. She's easily books 6 weeks out... leaving a few openings, in between, for new customers. She is very respectful of your time. Her three car garage, is really a two-car garage with the third one converted to a salon. Her son has a sitter during day hours when she is in the "shop". I love this home salon because she treats it like a respectable business. After the last bad experience with going to a home salon, I swore I would NEVER go to another - the stylist "mom" was screaming at her kids, phone was ringing, doors were slamming, she kept answering the phone, then kept saying "I'm sorry, I'm sorry"... way too many interruptions - ridiculous!

I hope your friend is dedicated to doing this and keeps it professional. I think I need to reconsider tipping.

Good luck.

I definitely think you should tip. Even though it is an at home hair salon, that person is still providing a service and should be tipped accordingly.

My friend is an at home hair stylist. I say yes- always tip. Many times because they are your friend they don't charge you the full price anyway. It is a service, ALthough it must be one heck of a haircut to charge 30 bucks. Most at home stylists I know are charging between 15 and 20 since their overhead is less.

Tipping is never required but since most stylish get paid an hourly wage we just tip them to say thank you. I just got my hair cut in a friends home and I did not tip. I felt that is was a different situation than the hourly paid stylist. But that is just my option. I think each person should do what they feel they want to do but but my thought is no tip needs to be given.

I have been going to a home salon for several years and I have always tipped her,especially since she only charges $15 and does an awesome job.