Setting up a barbershop — or a barbering station as a new or mobile barber — comes down to a core toolkit, the consumables that keep it running, and a few client-comfort essentials. This checklist covers everything you need to start cutting, and how to buy it at trade prices. If you're focused on the tools themselves — which clipper, trimmer and brands to buy — see our barber starter kit guide; this checklist is about kitting out the whole shop or station.
The essential barber kit checklist
Cutting tools
- A fading clipper — your main machine for cutting and blending, such as the Cordless Magic Clip.
- A workhorse or power clipper for bulk and thick hair (many barbers run two clippers).
- A trimmer for lining, edging and detail, like the Cordless Detailer.
- A foil shaver for skin finishes — the Vanish shaver.
- Barber scissors and a comb for scissor work and clipper-over-comb.
Guards, blades and maintenance
- A full set of clipper guards (see our guard size chart).
- Spare blades for your clippers and trimmers.
- Clipper oil, a cleaning brush, blade wash and disinfectant — see how to clean and maintain your clippers.
Client comfort and hygiene
- Cutting capes and gowns.
- Neck strips and a neck brush.
- Disinfectant and a tidy, hygienic station setup.
Styling and finishing
- Pomade, clay, wax or cream for finishing.
- A spray bottle for dampening hair.
- Hand mirror to show the back.
You'll find most of this across the barbering range, clippers & trimmers and barbering accessories.
Building your kit with combo sets
If you're starting from scratch, combo sets bundle a clipper, trimmer and accessories together at better value than buying separately — for example the Wahl Cordless Barber Combo or the Cordless Super Taper Combi set. Pair a fading clipper with a workhorse and a trimmer and you've got the heart of your kit. For help choosing the tools and brands, see our barber starter kit guide, our best clippers for barbers guide and our Wahl clipper comparison.
Buying for a new barbershop
Hairco & Beauty is a trade-only wholesaler, so a barber account gives you trade pricing on clippers, blades, consumables and styling — with fast, tracked UK delivery. Registration is free and open to salons, barbers, mobile and home-based stylists and students. You can also earn Club Hairco points on everything you order.
FAQs
What do you need to start barbering?
At minimum: a clipper, a trimmer, guards, scissors, a comb, a cape, and clipper oil and disinfectant for maintenance and hygiene. A foil shaver is added for skin finishes.
What's the best clipper and trimmer setup for a new barber?
A common starting setup is a fading clipper (such as the Magic Clip), a second workhorse or power clipper, and a T-blade trimmer for lining. Combo sets bundle these together at better value.
Can a new or mobile barber open a trade account?
Yes. Hairco & Beauty welcomes salons, barbers, mobile and home-based stylists and students, with free registration and trade pricing.
What do you need to open a barbershop?
Beyond the cutting kit, a working barbershop needs client-comfort and hygiene essentials — capes and gowns, neck strips and a neck brush, disinfectant and a tidy station — plus styling and finishing products. For the tool-by-tool breakdown and brands, see our barber starter kit guide.
Kit out your barbershop at trade prices
Browse the barbering range at Hairco & Beauty, or open a free trade account to start ordering at trade prices.
Written by Charlotte Read, Content Writer at Hairco & Beauty. Charlotte has over six years' experience in professional hair and beauty, and our guides are informed by colleagues with 100+ years of combined salon experience and by insight from the trade customers we supply. More about our content.
