You’ve just spent five hours meticulously crafting a beautiful crown of starter locs for a new client. They love it. You love it. But then comes the awkward moment: payment. You quote a price, and they either haggle you down until you feel cheated, or you blurt out a number so low you barely cover the cost of your retwist gel. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Setting the right prices is one of the biggest challenges for talented locticians across Nigeria, but getting it right is the key to turning your passion into a profitable, sustainable business.
This guide provides a step-by-step framework for Nigerian locs specialists to calculate costs, research the market, and set profitable prices. You'll learn how to price your services confidently, communicate your value, and use tools like TrustAm to secure payments and grow your client base.
Your pricing strategy directly determines your business's health and your personal income. Setting prices randomly without a clear strategy can lead to burnout and attract clients who don't value your skill. A well-thought-out pricing model, however, ensures you are compensated fairly, attracts your ideal clientele, and positions your brand as professional and trustworthy.
Underpricing is a common mistake. You might think a low price will attract more customers, but it often leads to a few critical problems:
To set a profitable price, you first need to know your absolute minimum cost to perform a service, also known as your break-even point. This requires calculating both your direct costs (per client) and your indirect costs (monthly overheads). Don't just guess these numbers; sit down and write them out.
These are the expenses you incur for each appointment.
These are your fixed monthly business expenses.
The Break-Even Formula:
(Total Monthly Overheads ÷ Average Clients per Month) + Direct Cost per Client = Your Break-Even Price per Service
Any amount you charge above this break-even price is your profit margin.
Before setting your final price, you must understand what the market in your specific location can bear. Researching what other locs specialists in your area are charging for similar services gives you a vital benchmark. A loctician in Maitama, Abuja, will have a different price range than one in Aba.
Here's how to do effective research:
Here’s a sample price range you might find in major Nigerian cities in 2026 (these are estimates):
| Service | Beginner/Home-Based (e.g., Ibadan) | Mid-Level Salon (e.g., Lekki, Lagos) | Expert/Premium (e.g., Maitama, Abuja) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Locs (Coils/Two-Strand) | ₦15,000 - ₦25,000 | ₦30,000 - ₦50,000 | ₦50,000+ |
| Retwist (Palm Roll) | ₦8,000 - ₦12,000 | ₦15,000 - ₦25,000 | ₦25,000+ |
| Interlocking Maintenance | ₦12,000 - ₦20,000 | ₦25,000 - ₦40,000 | ₦40,000+ |
| Basic Styling (after retwist) | ₦5,000 - ₦8,000 | ₦10,000 - ₦18,000 | ₦20,000+ |
Your price should reflect your unique skills, experience, and the quality of service you provide. You are not just selling a retwist; you are selling an experience, your expertise, and confidence. Don't be afraid to charge more if you offer more.
Factors that justify premium pricing include:
You can price your services by the hour, per service, or in packages to give clients clarity and options. A clear, well-structured price list makes you look professional and minimizes confusion. You can list all these options clearly on your TrustAm profile so clients know exactly what they're booking.
Be confident and transparent about your prices and be prepared to explain the value behind them. Post your price list clearly on your social media and your TrustAm profile. When a client questions your price, don't get defensive. Instead, explain what goes into the service—your time, the quality products, and your expertise.
The biggest challenge for many freelancers in Nigeria is payment. Chasing clients for money after a service is draining. This is where TrustAm's escrow protection becomes your most powerful tool. Here's how it works:
This system eliminates haggling, payment defaults, and the anxiety of asking for your money. It tells clients you are a serious professional and protects both you and them, justifying your professional rates.
Stop haggling and start getting paid your worth. Create a professional profile on TrustAm, list your services with clear prices, and let clients in your city book you with confidence. Our escrow system ensures you get paid on time, every time.
Create Your Free Provider Account →Join thousands of Nigerian service providers growing their business on TrustAm.
The price for starter locs in Nigeria varies widely by location, your experience, and the client's hair length and density. As of 2026, expect a range from ₦15,000 for a beginner in a city like Ibadan to over ₦50,000 for an expert loctician in a high-end salon in Lagos or Abuja.
Absolutely. Longer and denser hair requires significantly more time, product, and effort to work on. It is standard and fair practice to have tiered pricing based on hair length (e.g., neck-length, shoulder-length, mid-back length) and density. Clearly state this in your price list to avoid surprises.
Last-minute cancellations mean lost income. The best way to handle this is to have a clear cancellation policy, such as requiring a non-refundable deposit to secure a booking. When clients book you through TrustAm, it establishes a formal agreement that discourages casual cancellations and helps you manage your schedule professionally.
You can increase your income by upskilling into specialized services like microlocs or advanced coloring, which command higher prices. You can also sell high-quality hair care products to your clients. Finally, building a strong brand and gathering positive, verified reviews on a platform like TrustAm allows you to gradually increase your prices as your reputation grows.
The price for starter locs in Nigeria varies widely by location, your experience, and the client's hair length and density. As of 2026, expect a range from ₦15,000 for a beginner in a city like Ibadan to over ₦50,000 for an expert loctician in a high-end salon in Lagos or Abuja.
Absolutely. Longer and denser hair requires significantly more time, product, and effort to work on. It is standard and fair practice to have tiered pricing based on hair length (e.g., neck-length, shoulder-length, mid-back length) and density. Clearly state this in your price list to avoid surprises.
Last-minute cancellations mean lost income. The best way to handle this is to have a clear cancellation policy, such as requiring a non-refundable deposit to secure a booking. When clients book you through TrustAm, it establishes a formal agreement that discourages casual cancellations and helps you manage your schedule professionally.
You can increase your income by upskilling into specialized services like microlocs or advanced coloring, which command higher prices. You can also sell high-quality hair care products to your clients. Finally, building a strong brand and gathering positive, verified reviews on a platform like TrustAm allows you to gradually increase your prices as your reputation grows.
Founder & CEO of TrustAm. Building Nigeria's smartest money app — AI-powered budgeting, instant P2P transfers, and financial advice in one place.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial professional before making major financial decisions.
Disclosure: This article is published by TrustAm, a financial services company. Some links in this article may direct to our own products.
Find trusted providers related to this article.
Try these free calculators and tools related to this article.
