Question 5

Can you suggest some common oversights when planning new treatment rooms?

Our Experts Answer...

Make sure you  plan to purchase your equipment well enough in advance, one of the most common statements made to our sales consultants is “I’m opening in 2 weeks time and I am looking for a complete salon suite”!.
Ground work can be carried out well in advance, as long as you have your treatment plans in place you can begin your search for the right equipment to encompass the treatments your salon will be offering, even before you have your premises. Also take into account your longer term business plan and choose equipment that will grow with your business and be able to adapt to perhaps more treatments being introduced as you progress.
Your colour scheme can also be planned well in advance so when you are ordering your equipment you know what finish /colours will match your overall design. e.g. wooden natural theme, clinical colours, or corporate colours.,etc
For your main equipment, such as electronic couches /tables/plinths, treatments chairs you must allow at least 4-6 weeks for its manufacture. If you having bespoke furniture made to your special dimensions then 6 weeks is the absolute minimum you should allow for your equipment to be made. Also if you are ordering from a company who offers a personal installation service with their delivery you need to notify them well in advance of your opening date to ensure that a delivery date is booked for you.
A common error is that more money is spent on the aesthetics’ of the salon and the furniture takes ‘back stage’. Designers and architects are not necessarily the best authority to give you advice on therapy equipment. They know about the things they are qualified to do and that’s design and plan buildings, staircases, flooring, doors and perhaps can advise on plumbing and electrics etc. In our experience they do not have working knowledge of therapists and remember the business you are in is very, very specialist. If you can be lucky enough to have the chance to talk to an actual equipment manufacturer about your equipment needs they have the business knowledge combined with an in depth-product knowledge to best advise and give guidance. They will be well experienced in dealing with salons and spas on a daily basis and will know what will best works in your salon environment and, more importantly, what doesn’t work. They may highlight certain issues that you may not have even considered and would certainly not be considered by an architect.

Our Experts Answer...

a) The most common omission (and electricians don't always think of this) is plug sockets. If you are using electronic couches consider your electrical wiring and have under floor sockets fitted so that leads are kept at floor level. Also consider where your wall plugs are fitted for the best access for magnification lamps etc.,

b) Check the equipment you are buying complies to fire regulations required by your indemnity insurance. Remember they are no requisite regulations governing equipment sold in the UK but there will be regulations you may need to meet for your premises. Also ensure that your equipment enables you to meet the Disability Laws.

c) Ensure there is enough room for a treatment couch to be accessed both sides. If your therapist is having to constantly reach over this will cause common posture problems such as bad backs and possibly time off work.

d) Make sure you consult the therapists who are going to be using the equipment. A big mistake many make is that the person responsible to make the buying decision is not necessarily the practicing therapist, or on many occasions has any knowledge of therapy at all. What may appear value for money to the man with the purse strings may not actually be a viable purchase when its in situ if it doesn’t stand up to the rigors of continuous use, meet all your various treatment needs/ disciplines and may not be easy for the therapist to use and assist their treatments. Remember don’t be led my your accountant... what’s good value for him may be in the long term false economy.

e) Your salon equipment and furnishing make a statement about your business and rate highly in the overall impression a customer goes away with. Remember that the ambience creates a good feel factor and impression but the comfort of the treatment is paramount, e.g. you can have a lovely vase in the corner of room but if the couch your client is lying on for an hour is uncomfortable or unstable they wont come back for another treatment!

Question 7

As people are getting heavier, how do I establish that the couch I buy will stand up to the rigours of everyday use and will hold my patients safely?

Question 8

What would you highlight as key points to remember when refurbishing?

Whom/where is the best place to get advice on refurbishing/ a new fit?

Our Experts Answer...

As a British manufacturer that regularly has experiences of ‘picking up the pieces’ of other brands of imported couches that have failed a salon or spa our advice would be to buy couches that clearly meet British Standards and be very careful not to be fooled by the aesthetics of a couch. Couches can be cheapened in many ways not apparent to the naked eye e.g. by thinning the under board and the aluminium box frame, by using cheaper upholstery, etc, and although they may appear ‘similar’ to other models on the market their good value may be deceptive. They may not stand up to the rigors of day to day spa and salon work and you may find yourself re-purchasing equipment a lot sooner than you bargained for.
Ask pertinent operational questions such as what is the maximum patient weight? How much weight will an electric couch lift? How stable is the product? How durable is the couch? ...this will help you establish the quality of the couches' construction. In particular look for couches that are specifically manufactured to meet demanding applications. In addition think about after sales and how a break down mayl affect you business...if you choose a British made product from a reputable manufacturer, you can be confident in the quality of your product and have the technical support & backup on hand to provide specialist technical assistance during the life of your couch- look out for companies who offer maintenance and servicing and offer an engineer ‘call out’ service that can be with you within 48hours, so that your business is not disrupted in the unlikely event of breakdown and parts for your couch are available here in the UK, not from abroad.
See also safety standards above>>

Our Experts Answer...

Use the knowledge you have gained from customers comments and consult your staff before buying new equipment. Evaluate what equipment brings you in the most money and spend your budget accordingly. Work out what £ per square meter you earn form your different work areas. Versatile equipment that can be used regularly throughout the day pays for itself more quickly and can aid your growth. Time is money, for instance, utilize your equipment to save your staff time, e.g. well stocked trolleys dedicated to each room it will quicken the turnaround time for the next treatment as apposed to several therapists sharing a trolley and constantly having to take time between treatment to re-stock. Utilise every inch of your salon, clever use of partitions or screens can perhaps provide an extra work area thus giving you more income per sq. mtr.

Answer...

Designers and architects are not necessarily the best authority to give you advice on therapy equipment. They know about the things they are qualified to do and that’s design and plan buildings, staircases, flooring, doors and perhaps can advise on plumbing and electrics etc. They do not have working knowledge of therapists and remember the business you are in is very, very specialist. If you can be lucky enough to have the chance to talk to an actual equipment manufacturer about your equipment needs they have the business knowledge combined with an in depth-product knowledge to best advise and give guidance. They will be well experienced in dealing with salons and spas on a daily basis and will know what will best works in your salon environment and, more importantly, what doesn’t work. They can also help with sizes and colours and may highlight certain issues that you may not have even considered.

Our Experts Answer...

While your equipment needs to be functional the overall appearance should provide an appropriate ambiance and enhance your professional image. The therapy industry operates in a sophisticated and highly competitive market where customer expectations are high. Your business success will depend on your professional skills and on creating a clear identity, attracting and retaining a clientele. Your premises need to be inviting and welcoming generating a feeling of confidence and well-being in the client. The décor, equipment and furnishing of your salon make a statement about your business. 
Sensible equipment manufacturers do not introduce novelty on a whim; they monitor and reflect general trends in furnishing and decoration and identify the needs and demands of the therapy industry. Manufacturers respond to this demand with a choice of upholstery colours, coordinating framework, chrome/silver and wooden finishes. Where the full range of equipment and accessories is available from a single supplier you may coordinate items in terms of material, colour and finish, giving an overall effect of harmony and uniformity. Major manufacturers should offer you an extensive range of choice.
Complimentary and colour co-ordinated equipment will give your salon a professional image and will integrate with your colour scheme or salon theme. Corporate colours can endorse your brand or message.