How to Start a Mobile Hairdressing Business in Mortlake

A mobile hairdressing business means bringing the salon to the client -- and the rules around that vary more by council than almost any other trade in this guide, Mortlake included. Here's the honest picture before your first appointment in Greater London.

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

Do I need insurance to start a mobile hairdressing business in Mortlake?

It isn't a general legal requirement for a self-employed sole trader in Mortlake, but it's near-universal commercial practice and often a condition set by clients such as care homes. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you take on staff.

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

Many mobile hairdressers in Mortlake 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 Mortlake?

Many mobile hairdressers in Mortlake 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 Mortlake?

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