How much does it cost to open a barbershop in Malaysia? (2026)

Short answer: A small independent barbershop with 2 or 3 chairs in a rented shop lot usually needs about RM40,000 to RM120,000 to open. Most of that goes on renovation and fit-out (RM20,000–80,000) and equipment (RM5,000–30,000), plus rent deposits. Registration and licences cost little, from under RM100 for a sole proprietor with a DBKL licence. A franchise is often quoted at RM93,000–218,000.

Figures are ranges from Malaysian sources, checked October 2026. Rent and renovation costs vary a lot by location. Get quotes before you commit.

One-off costs to open

Item	Typical range	Notes
SSM registration (sole proprietor)	RM30–60/year	RM60 with a trade name
SSM registration (Sdn Bhd)	RM1,050 + secretary fees	About RM2,570–3,750 in the first year, all in
Council barber licence (DBKL)	RM24–500/year	Priced by number of chairs, see below
Rent deposit	Usually 2–3 months' rent + 1 month advance	Check your tenancy agreement
Renovation and fit-out	RM20,000–80,000	RM50–200 per sq ft
Equipment	RM5,000–30,000	Chairs, mirrors, clippers, sterilisers, sinks
Barber chairs	About RM700–1,200 each	Budget models. Premium hydraulic chairs cost more
Signboard	Varies	A signboard licence may be needed from your council

DBKL barber licence fees (yearly)

Chairs	Fee
1–3	RM24
4–8	RM100
9–15	RM200
16–20	RM300
21+	RM500

Councils outside KL, such as MBPJ, MBSA and MPKj, set their own fees. Check with yours.

Monthly running costs

Item	Typical range
Rent, ground-floor shop lot	RM1,500 (PJ) to RM6,500 (Puchong); RM2,000 to RM13,000 in KL
Barber pay	Minimum wage RM1,700/month for employees, or commission (see below)
EPF, SOCSO, EIS	On top of employee wages
Utilities and internet	Varies
Consumables	Blades, towels, capes, products
Software (booking, queue, POS)	About RM40–500/month. Meikigo from RM109/month

Rent examples are from Mudah listings in October 2026. Shops in smaller towns are usually cheaper.

Sample budget: 3-chair independent shop in Selangor

	Estimate
Registration and licences	RM100–1,500
Deposit + 1 month advance (rent RM3,000)	RM9,000–12,000
Renovation (800 sq ft × RM60)	RM48,000
Equipment incl. 3 chairs	RM10,000
Opening stock and products	RM2,000
Signage and marketing	RM2,000
Working capital (3 months of rent and wages)	Plan for it
One-off total before working capital	About RM71,000–75,500

This is an example, not a quote. Renovating an existing salon instead of starting from a bare shell can cut the biggest line in half.

How much should you charge for a haircut?

Type of shop	Typical price
Traditional barber	RM10–25
Modern barbershop	RM35–70
Premium barbershop	RM80–150

Price for your area and your fit-out. A RM60,000 renovation is hard to pay back at RM15 a cut.

Staffing: what to know before you hire

• Minimum wage is RM1,700 a month for employees. The exemption for employers with fewer than five staff ended on 31 July 2025.
• Budget 2027 raises it to RM2,000 from June 2027. Smaller businesses get an exemption, but its details are not final.
• Most shops pay commission, either on its own or on top of a basic salary. See how to calculate barber commission.
• Foreign barbers: the rules have changed several times since 2019. Check the current position with the Immigration Department or JTK before planning around foreign hires.

Where new barbershops overspend

1. Renovation before footfall. Spend on chairs and lighting first and on decoration later.
2. Too many chairs on day one. Empty chairs still cost rent.
3. Software priced per barber. Each new barber raises the bill. Compare per-staff and flat pricing.
4. No working capital. Most new shops need a few months to build regulars.

Running the shop from day one

Meikigo runs your walk-in queue, QR bookings, sales and barber commission on a tablet or phone you already own. You don't need extra hardware. Plans start at RM109 a month for up to 5 barbers, and there is a 14-day trial with no card. See how it works.