Mobile hair salon vans

What goes inside a mobile hair salon van?

A ProVanWorks hair van has a service room in the back half of the cargo area and a seating area by the side door. The drawing at the top of this page shows a common layout. The build can include:

• A hydraulic styling chair facing a wall mirror, with a narrow counter for tools.
• A shampoo bowl with running hot water and a reclining wash chair.
• Outlets at the mirror for dryers, flat irons and curling irons, fed by the battery bank.
• Cabinets for towels, colour and products, and a hook for a spare dryer.
• Bright, even ceiling lights over the chair.
• Customer seating in the front half, by the side door.
• A waterproof floor that sweeps clean of hair and wipes dry after a wash.

Every layout is a starting point. Tell us whether you do more cuts, colour or styling, and whether you need a second chair, and we'll arrange the room around it.

How does hair washing work in a salon van?

Hair washing in a ProVanWorks van works like a small salon's backwash. The shampoo bowl sits close to the fresh water reservoir in the utility area, so the hot water line stays short and warms up fast. Hot water comes from a water heater, or from the main heater through a heat exchanger, depending on the build. The bowl drains to a grey water tank under the floor, which is the same size as or larger than the reservoir, so you never run out of room before you run out of water.

Fill the reservoir through the water inlet with a drinking-water-safe hose, or use water on the spot when you're parked by a tap. The grey water outlet opens with an electric switch; empty it at an approved disposal point or the sanitary sewer, never a storm drain. Tank sizes are set for each build: tell us how many washes you do in a day. The salon van water and power diagram shows the whole system.

Is there a sink for washing hands?

Yes. A ProVanWorks hair van can have a hand-wash sink with running hot water and a soap pump, separate from the shampoo bowl, so you can wash your hands between clients without leaning over the backwash. Ask your local health authority whether a separate hand sink is required for your services, and tell us.

Can a salon van run hair dryers and hot tools?

Yes, with the right battery bank. Hair dryers and hot tools draw more power than anything else in a salon, so a ProVanWorks hair van is built with high-amp inverters and chargers (an add-on) and a battery bank sized for the number of dryers you run at once and how long they run. Send us the wattage of your dryers, flat irons and curling irons, and how many hours a day you use them.

The battery bank charges at Level 2 EV chargers through a J1772 inlet, or from shore power through the 50 A inlet (30 A also available) and the 20 A, 120 V inlet. Solar panels and a generator are available as add-ons. A generator suits stylists who work long days at events, weddings or film sets far from an outlet. Read more about power and EV charging.

How does a hair salon van stay comfortable all year?

A ProVanWorks hair van stays warm with insulation in the walls, roof and floor and heat from a small diesel, gas or electric heater under the seat, moved through pipes in the floor and walls and heat exchangers around the room. A thermostat holds the temperature you set, and the heater runs with the engine off. In summer, the front fan runs the air conditioning, which matters when dryers are running in July. Two fans move air front and back to clear heat, humidity and the smell of colour and products. The cold-weather design page explains the heating system.

Can I pick a ready-designed hair van or have my own built?

Yes, either one. ProVanWorks builds every hair salon van to your specifications, or you can start from one of our already designed systems and change what you need. We use top-quality products and materials in every build. If you'd rather tow your salon, see our mobile beauty salon trailers.

Frequently asked questions

Can a mobile hair salon van be set up for a barber?

Yes. A ProVanWorks hair van is a treatment room, and the chair, mirror, counter and finishes are up to you. Barbering, cuts, colour and styling are services for women and men.

How many washes can a hair salon van do in a day?

That depends on the reservoir and grey water tank, which ProVanWorks sizes for each build around your appointments. Tell us how many washes you expect in a day and whether you refill during the day.

Do I need a licence or permit to run a mobile hair salon?

Rules vary by province, state and region. Check with your local health authority about personal service rules and with your licensing body about your own licence before you book clients.

How do I get a price for a mobile hair salon van?

Email info@provanworks.com with the services you offer, how many chairs you need, your dryers and hot tools, and where you work. We reply with a layout and a quote. See all our mobile salon vans.