How to Offer Barbering and Beauty Services at Home in Colombia and Attract Clients

Setting up a barber, hairdressing, or aesthetic service for house calls in cities like Medellín, Bogotá, or Cali has become one of the most profitable routes for beauty professionals in Colombia. Working independently allows you to break free from chair rentals in traditional salons and avoid high commissions of between 20% and 30% charged by booking apps.

However, to build a sustainable mobile business, having talent with scissors or brushes is not enough. It is essential to know the Colombian legal framework, organize proper portable equipment, and apply direct customer acquisition strategies. According to active ads on Colombia Move (August 2026), the beauty services category had 0 active ads: a well-prepared showcase today enters with very little internal competition. If you want to see real options right now, you can view apartments and houses on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

Quick answer: What do you need to start providing house calls legally?

• Certification and legal standards: Technical certification in beauty or cosmetology and strict adherence to non-invasive procedures according to Law 711 of 2001.
• Biosecurity protocols: Compliance with Ministry of Health Resolution 2117 of 2010 and Resolution 2827 of 2006 for tool disinfection and waste management.
• Commercial transparency: Clear quotes in Colombian pesos (COP) informing the total value before the service, including transportation surcharges (Law 1480 of 2011).
• Own booking channel: Digital catalog to showcase previous work and coordinate appointments directly via WhatsApp without intermediaries or commissions.

Legal Framework and Biosecurity: MinSalud Rules and Law 711 of 2001

The practice of barbering and ornamental aesthetics in Colombia is regulated by clear standards from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. To provide services at home with total legal peace of mind, you must keep two fundamental pillars in mind:

First, Law 711 of 2001 regulates the cosmetology occupation in the country. This law strictly establishes that cosmetologists and stylists may only perform non-invasive aesthetic procedures. It is strictly forbidden to perform surgical treatments, Botox applications, infiltrations, or prescribe medication, as these practices are reserved exclusively for medical professionals.

Second, Resolution 2117 of 2010 and Resolution 2827 of 2006 from MinSalud establish the Biosecurity Manual for establishments and ornamental aesthetic services (haircutting, barbering, manicure, and makeup). Even if you attend at the client's home, the law requires maintaining high hygiene standards: technical washing, chemical disinfection of guides and scissors between each use, and the use of disposable supplies whenever possible.

Price Transparency and Home Call Quotes (Law 1480 of 2011)

One of the biggest causes of conflict between mobile service providers and their clients is the lack of clarity regarding travel fees. In Colombia, the Consumer Statute (Law 1480 of 2011, Article 26) requires that every provider of goods or services inform the public, clearly and in advance, of the total price in Colombian pesos (COP).

When a client contacts you via message or social network, avoid giving incomplete prices. If your fee for a haircut or beard trim is $45,000 COP and you charge a $10,000 COP surcharge for travel to a specific neighborhood, you must communicate it as a total of $55,000 COP before confirming the appointment. This not only guarantees compliance with consumer rights before the SIC, but it also conveys professionalism and avoids misunderstandings when collecting payment.

Biosecurity Kit and Professional Mobile Case

To project confidence from the very first minute in the client's living room or bedroom, your work case must include quality tools and visible protective elements. A well-prepared standard mobile kit includes:

• Sterilized tools: Clippers, trimmers, scissors, and combs organized in clean cases.
• Disposable supplies: Paper neck strips, plastic or washable cloth capes per client, disposable towels, and face masks.
• Instant disinfection: Quick-action disinfectant spray for blades (like Barbicide or antiseptic alcohol) applied in front of the client.
• Handling sharps: A small rigid container for used needles or razor blades (sharps container). Never leave used blades in household trash cans.
• Lighting and comfort: A foldable portable LED ring light to ensure good visibility in low-light spaces.

Strategies to Get Direct Clients Without Paying Commissions

Depending exclusively on third-party apps can take up to a third of your net income at the end of the month. To build your own portfolio of recurring clients in your city, apply this work plan:

First, optimize your WhatsApp Business. Set up a professional profile with a service catalog, fixed prices by zone, and an automatic welcome message requesting the client's location to provide a quick quote. If you also work performing repairs or technical maintenance, you can check our guide on how to offer independent house call services.

Second, formalize the collection of fees and independent services using digital payment platforms (bank transfers, Nequi, Daviplata, or mobile card readers) to facilitate the transaction once the service is finished.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Do I need a special permit to offer barber or aesthetic house calls in Colombia?

You do not need a commercial salon permit to visit the client's home. You must accredit your technical training where applicable, comply with the biosecurity of Resolution 2117 of 2010, and limit yourself to non-invasive procedures according to Law 711 of 2001.

❓ What are the mandatory biosecurity rules for cutting hair or doing makeup at home?

You must clean and disinfect tools between clients. Resolution 2827 of 2006 also supports the use of single-use blades, gloves when applicable, clean capes, and safe disposal of sharps in a container.

❓ How should I charge the client for transport or home call costs according to the law?

State the total price in COP before confirming the appointment. Article 26 of Law 1480 of 2011 requires prior clarity, so the client must know both the value of the service and any travel surcharge.

❓ What beauty procedures are prohibited to be performed at home?

Non-medical cosmetologists cannot perform invasive procedures, surgeries, infiltrations, or apply Botox. Law 711 of 2001 reserves medical acts for qualified professionals and also does not allow prescribing drugs subject to a prescription.

❓ Where and how do I publish my beauty or barbering services without commission?

You can create a service ad for free on Colombia Move and complete your catalog, coverage, and WhatsApp. The platform does not charge a commission for bookings; the professional keeps direct contact and defines their own quote.

❓ What data and photos help build trust in at-home aesthetic clients?

Show real work, clean tools, and a specific description for each service. Add coverage areas, hours, price or quote method in COP, and an active WhatsApp contact; avoid third-party photos or results that you cannot demonstrate.