How to Start a Mobile Hairdressing Business in Cobb

If you're considering a mobile hairdressing business in Cobb, two questions come up more than any other: council licensing and patch testing. Neither has a single flat answer -- here's what's actually known for Cobb and East Devon.

What the rules say

There's no single national licence for mobile hairdressing -- but some local authorities retain their own hairdressing/barbering byelaws requiring registration, while others have deregulated entirely. You'll need to check the specific position for your own council. No qualification is legally required to trade, though HABIA-aligned NVQ/SVQ training is the commercially expected industry standard, particularly for colour and chemical services.

Quick answers

Can I offer colour and chemical services from the start in Cobb?

Many mobile hairdressers in Cobb build up to colour and chemical services as experience and client trust grow, since these carry higher skill and liability considerations than cuts and styling alone.

Do I need to charge for travel in Cobb?

Many mobile hairdressers in Cobb build a travel or call-out charge into how they structure appointments once they travel beyond their core local area, reflecting the time and mileage involved.

What records should I keep for clients in Cobb?

Keeping consultation and, where relevant, patch test records for clients in Cobb is standard practice and something insurers and professional bodies generally expect to see.

Do I need a council licence to be a mobile hairdresser in Cobb?

There's no single national licence. Some local authorities retain their own hairdressing/barbering byelaws requiring registration; others have deregulated entirely. Check directly with the council covering Cobb before you start trading.