Massage in London: How Much To Charge?

[xiafsxaa]

Hi all,

I have recently relocated from Australia where I have had my own massage business for 8 years.
My question: How much can I charge in London for massage (both mobile and at a my home)?
I am very experienced, have a diploma of Remedial massage, and a lovely, comfy Oakworks table.

Don't want to sell myself short, but at the same time, still need to get enough work to pay the rent!

Any input appreciated.

Cheers, cat

 

[bnyueoav]

It depends on the area. Obviously you can get quite a bit more in Central London than in the suburbs.

The best thing would be to test the market. Pick up price lists from local clinics and call a few (in the guise of a potential customer) to ask their costs.

 

[EyesR-Watching]

I used to live in West London, from memory I think charges really do vary... the cheapest charges seem to be about £35 - £40 for 1 hour massage, but I have seen some more upmarket spas and clinics who charge up to £80 for one hour massage, so I guess it really depends on what clientele you are targeting!

 

[Dina W]

I think it also worth making the point that not only are the suburbs likely to be cheaper than Central London, but that some suburbs are likely to be much cheaper than others. There was a recent survey which purported to show the average income for each Parliamentary constituency. For example, the average income in Kensington & Chelsea was over £50,000 pa, whereas the average income in Croydon North was only £18,800 pa. I would expect that therapists working in Kensington & Chelsea would charge more than therapists working in Croydon North.
I work in Croydon as a sports massage therapist and have recently increased my prices to charge £35 for a massage: I have done occasional ‘therapy swaps’ with two other therapists who charge the same. Incidentally four years ago there were a couple of very good local therapists who charged only £25, but one has now increased to £35 and the other has moved out of the area.
It might also be worth pointing out that therapists who work from clinics in London (particularly Central London) are likely to have to pay quite a lot of room rent, so that a therapist who works from home should be able to undercut them. Conversely, anyone who works as a mobile therapist will probably have to charge significantly more, because the traffic in most parts of London is so bad that you will have to allow a lot of time for travelling between appointments.

Alan

 

[man of iron]

I pay £40 for a full body aromatherapy massage which takes one and a half hours. This went up recently from £35 and takes place in a salon (hair and beauty) in Finsbury Park, North London. (Finsbury Park is by no means an affluent suburb!)

xxx

 

[PhenredVogVed]

i charge £50 for an hour and that seems pretty reasonable in my area (kingston) and i have quite a few people telling me that it is quite cheap!

 

[Eriugjksflv Egiojrfks]

I charge £45 working from home and £60 mobile for massage - depending how far away it is and the time you take to get there and back. Some charge more than this. I have heard of £80-£90 per massage, that was from a very highly rated masseur.

As said before it does depend on where you work and how much you value yourself and the treatment you give.

Binah
x

 

[stormer_xxi]

I had a client last week who said he chose me because I was the nearest - and the cheapest! Not sure if that means I am competitively priced, or too cheap...

 

[{*RandomGirl*}]

thanks very much for the advice, everyone. Keep it coming if you have anything else to add.

cheers, cat

 

[ShanelZ]

an update...I booked my first mobile client in today. I quoted £80/£110 for an hour/90mins. She didn't turn a hair and paid in advance for 90 mins. (I'm also teaching her yoga). I'm charging £65/95 for mobiles if they have their own table, or if I am already at their house and it's the second client within the same trip. £45/65 from my house in E5.

I think the real killer is the tube travel...

Thanks everyone for your input.
Cat

 

[offramp13]

Congratulations and well done on getting your first mobile client. Your client probably appreaciates the fact that you go to her. You are a braver person than me for carting your couch on public transport. I don't do mobile work but if I did I would charge similar prices to you. It has to be financially worth my while to step out of my house with my massage couch. I did a home visit for a friend and charged her £55 which was mates rates plus cab fare - I couldn't face getting on a bus or train with all my equipment. I charge a similar rate to you for working from home.