What Is a Hairstylist Contract?
A hairstylist contract is an agreement between a stylist and a company or client for hairstyling services. It establishes the hairstylist as an independent contractor, indicating no employment relationship.
This document creates clear expectations for all parties involved. It also creates a binding contract that can be enforced in court if either party fails to fulfill their end of the deal.
A hairstylist commonly enters this contract with the owner of a salon or barbershop. In this agreement, the stylist obtains their own clients and pays a fee for their work station. Alternatively, this agreement can be used to arrange hairstyling services for a special event, like a prom or wedding.
Renting a Salon Booth
If you need to set up a separate agreement to rent a work station, use our salon booth rental contract.
How to Make a Hairstylist Contract
Writing a hairstylist contract ensures that all parties understand their responsibilities and rights. Learn how to make yours following the steps below.
Step 1 – Define the Parties
Begin by defining the parties involved. The hairstylist will be the independent contractor, and the salon, barbershop, or other customer receiving the services will be the client. Make the independent contractor status clear, noting that the hairstylist is not an employee.
Step 2 – Set the Compensation
Set the compensation rate for the hairstylist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hairstylists and other cosmetologists make an average of $17.03 per hour, but this rate can vary depending on the complexity of services, service location, and experience level of the stylist.
Depending on the parties’ preferences, the contract can detail one of several pay systems:
- Booth rental: The stylist rents the booth for a flat fee and charges clients themselves. They keep 100% of their profits.
- Commission: The stylist earns a percentage of their service revenue, and the beauty shop takes the rest.
- Hourly plus bonuses: The stylist earns a base hourly rate plus bonuses if they hit sales targets.
Step 3 – Outline the Hairstyling Services Provided
Explain what creative services the hairstylist will provide. Indicate whether they will perform:
- Consulting with the client about style options
- Shampooing
- Coloring, tinting, or highlighting
- Cutting
- Bleaching
- Braiding
- Styling (like curling and straightening)
Specify the duration of the independent contractor relationship, including the specific days and hours during which the services are to be offered. Clarify the location to ensure both parties know where to show up. You can also note whether additional services like waxing will be included or incur an additional charge.
Step 4 – Clarify Expectations
The hairstylist contract should make it clear what prep work the client needs to complete in advance. For example, the hairstylist may want them to wash their hair, get a light trim, or avoid heavy hair products to make it easier to provide their services.
You should also clarify expectations for the hairstylist. Note whether they will provide their own equipment, such as brushes, curlers, straightening irons, hairsprays, hair ties, and hair clips. In some contracts, the client will provide their preferred products, so the hairstylist may need to bring minimal equipment.
Also, if the contract is for a special event, you can include the following details:
- Whether the stylist is responsible for touch-ups throughout the day
- The number of people they must perform hairstyling services for
- Whether they need to travel between locations
Step 5 – Outline Other Terms as Needed
Include other terms as needed, such as:
- Cancellation policy: Determine how far in advance the client can cancel without penalties.
- Non-compete clause: A non-compete clause prevents the stylist from working with other clients. If you include this, be sure to follow state rules for non-compete clauses.
- Indemnity: Shift liability for potential losses or damages from the client to the hairstylist (or vice versa, depending on preferences).
Hairstylist Contract Agreement Sample
View an example of our hairstylist contract agreement to get an idea of what terms to include. Then, fill out your own using Legal Templates’s guided questionnaire. Once you customize it with your details, you can download it in PDF or Word format.
