What's included in a salon suite (and what's not)

If you are switching from a commission salon or booth rental to a salon suite, this is the question that gets asked most often: what comes with the suite, and what do I bring myself?

Here is the standard breakdown for premium suites in the Crofton, MD and broader Anne Arundel County market.

What is included in a typical premium suite

A move-in-ready suite in this market should include all of the following:

Furniture and fixtures

• Styling chair (hydraulic, in good condition)
• Styling station with mirror (lit perimeter, drawer storage)
• Backwash sink and shampoo bowl (most suites; specialty suites for nails or esthetics may swap this for a different setup)
• Storage cabinet or wall cabinet (lockable in most premium operators)
• LED color-accurate lighting (CRI 90+ for accurate color work)

Building services

• Electric, water, and HVAC (paid by the operator, not you)
• High-speed WiFi (separate VLAN for tenant traffic, usually)
• 24/7 keycard access (no being locked out at 9 PM)
• Soundproofed walls (look for STC 48+)
• Common-area cleaning (reception, hallways, restrooms)
• Trash removal (daily or every other day)

Shared amenities

• Reception area (for clients to wait)
• Restrooms (separate from your suite)
• Break room or kitchenette (water, microwave, sometimes coffee)
• On-site parking (free for you and clients)

Operator services

• Maintenance (broken light bulb? Owner-operator handles it.)
• Insurance certification on the building (you still need your own professional liability)
• Salon permit and Maryland Board of Cosmetology compliance at the facility level

What you bring yourself

You are an independent business owner, so you handle:

• All your tools (shears, dryers, irons, electric files, brushes)
• All your products (color, conditioner, retail inventory, wax, polish, etc.)
• Your booking system (Square, GlossGenius, Vagaro, Boulevard, etc.)
• Your business license (county business license; some counties do not require one for personal services contractors)
• Your individual cosmetology license (Maryland Board of Cosmetology)
• Your professional liability insurance ($1M general + $1M professional is the standard ask)
• Your retail inventory (if you sell)
• Your decor (your suite, your style)
• Your taxes (1099 income, plan quarterly estimateds)

What is typically NOT included (even at premium operators)

• Your retail product line. No operator will stock product for you.
• Your scheduling assistant. You are solo unless you hire someone.
• Your client acquisition. The operator's website may list tenants, but driving bookings is your job.
• A receptionist. Most premium operators do not have one. Clients walk in, look at the directory, and go to your suite.

The Crofton, MD specifics

For TriVal Salon Suites in Crofton, MD, our included list looks like this (see the full suites page and our location for the rest):

• 24/7 smart-lock access
• Electric, water, and hot water
• Your own heating and A/C with a private thermostat
• Fresh-air ventilation in every suite
• High-speed WiFi
• Free parking

Our first-floor suites also have their own exterior door, a private restroom, and a shampoo bowl. We are building with sound-insulated walls, color-accurate LED lighting, and dedicated circuits for professional-grade tools. Standard finish details a lot of franchise operators cut to save build cost.

Pre-leasing now in Crofton, MD. Get on the pre-lease list to be first in line.