MedSpa startup guide
How much does it cost to open a MedSpa?
Opening a MedSpa can cost less than you think. In a space that's already built out, you can open for under $100,000 and put most of that budget into injectables and devices, the services that bring in revenue. Building from scratch is a bigger project, typically $200,000 to $500,000. Below, we break down both.
The short answer
It mostly comes down to one choice: move into a space that's already built out, or build one from scratch.
Move-in-ready space
Under $100,000Paint, signage and decor, opening injectables, a quality laser platform, a centrifuge, training and launch marketing.
See the starter budget ↓Full build-out from scratch
$200,000 – $500,000+- 1–2 treatment rooms$200k – $350k
- 3–4 treatment rooms$350k – $500k
- 5+ rooms, flagship$500k – $1M+
Already run a practice? Adding aesthetic services to an existing office typically costs $65,000 – $200,000, depending on the devices you add.
What an under-$100,000 setup includes
When the space is already set up as a MedSpa or wellness center, you skip construction entirely. Paint, signage and decor are usually all it needs, so nearly all of your budget goes into what actually books your calendar. Here's a realistic starting setup:
| Item | Starting budget |
|---|---|
| Paint, signage & decor | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Opening injectables inventory | $5,000+ |
| Laser or energy-based platform (a solid starting option) | $65,000+ |
| Centrifuge system | about $6,000 |
| Clinical training | about $5,000 |
| Launch marketing | $5,000+ |
| Starter total | about $91,000+ |
Budget separately for entity setup and licensing, your medical director agreement, insurance and a few months of working capital. Those vary most by state.
Building from scratch: startup costs, line by line
Starting with an empty space? These are typical costs for a small or medium MedSpa built from the ground up. Use them to compare contractor and vendor quotes and plan your first budget. If you're taking over a space that's already set up, you won't need the construction costs in the first row, so use the starter budget above instead.
| Cost | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Lease deposit & build-out | $50,000 – $150,000 | New walls and treatment rooms, plumbing, electrical for devices and ADA work. Overruns of 15–25% are common. |
| Energy-based devices | $65,000 – $400,000 | Usually the largest line. Depends on how many devices you start with and whether you buy, finance or lease. |
| Furniture, beds & clinical supplies | $10,000 – $30,000 | Treatment chairs, carts, sterilization, reception, retail displays. |
| Entity, licensing & medical director setup | $10,000 – $30,000 | Entity formation, state permits, legal review, medical director agreement and protocols. |
| Opening inventory | $10,000 – $25,000 | Neurotoxins, fillers, skincare for treatments and retail. |
| Insurance (first year) | $5,000 – $15,000 | Malpractice, general liability and property coverage. |
| Training & certification | $2,000 – $10,000 per device | Clinical training on each platform for your providers. |
| Software, website & booking | $0 – $5,000 to set up | Booking, EMR, point of sale and a website that takes appointments. |
| Pre-launch marketing (plus first 6 months) | $15,000 – $50,000 | Brand, website, launch event, paid social and search. |
| Working capital (6 months) | $30,000 – $75,000 | Payroll, rent and supplies while the appointment book fills. |
Add a 15–20% contingency on top. Build-outs and permit timelines rarely land exactly on the first quote.
Equipment: the biggest line in most budgets
Energy-based devices usually make up the largest share of startup cost, and once you buy one, there's no taking it back, so it pays to choose carefully. Typical prices for new systems:
| Device type | Typical price, new |
|---|---|
| Erbium skin resurfacing | $65,000 – $200,000 |
| IPL, CPL or BBL | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Body contouring & skin tightening | $65,000 – $250,000 |
Three choices move that number the most:
- Platform vs. single-purpose devices. A multi-application platform with interchangeable handpieces can cover hair removal, resurfacing, pigment and vascular treatments for less than buying separate machines, and it takes up one room instead of three.
- Buy, finance or lease. Financing and leasing spread the cost into monthly payments. Compare the total cost over the term, plus consumables and service contracts, not just the monthly payment.
- What your market will book. The right first device is the one your clients will book every week. Match the technology to your treatment menu and pricing before you match it to a brochure.
We compare devices side by side on published specs, including wavelength, pulse duration, spot size, cooling, regulatory status, cost tier and consumables, using RateMyLaser, so every vendor conversation starts from the same data.
Monthly costs after you open
Budget for ongoing overhead from day one. Most MedSpas run about $5,000 to $25,000 a month before product costs, depending on rent, team size and device payments. The main pieces:
- Rent and utilities, which vary more by city than anything else on this list.
- Payroll for providers, aestheticians and front desk.
- Medical director, commonly $1,500 to $8,000 a month depending on your state and scope.
- Device payments, consumables and service contracts.
- Marketing, often 10–20% of revenue in the first years.
- Software for booking, EMR and payments.
Five ways to lower your startup cost
- Start with one versatile platform and add handpieces as demand grows, instead of buying three devices on day one.
- Finance equipment so treatments help pay for the device while you build your client base.
- Choose a move-in-ready space. A former MedSpa or wellness center with rooms, sinks and power in place often needs only paint, signage and decor, saving tens of thousands compared with a full build-out.
- Phase your rooms. Open with the rooms you can fill, and build out the rest when the numbers say you're ready.
- Compare across manufacturers before you negotiate. Knowing comparable specs and pricing is the strongest leverage you have.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to open a small MedSpa?
In a move-in-ready space that only needs paint, signage and decor, a solid starter setup with injectables, a quality laser platform, a centrifuge system, training and launch marketing starts around $91,000, before licensing, medical director, insurance and working capital. With a full build-out from scratch, a one- or two-room MedSpa typically runs $200,000 to $350,000.
Do I need a full build-out to open a MedSpa?
No. Many MedSpas open in an existing MedSpa or wellness center space that only needs cosmetic updates like paint, signage, lighting and decor, often about $5,000 to $10,000 depending on how many rooms and chairs you are finishing. That can save tens of thousands compared with a full build-out and lets you put your budget into injectables and devices.
What is the biggest startup cost for a MedSpa?
Energy-based devices are usually the largest line, anywhere from $65,000 for a solid single platform to $400,000 for a full lineup. Build-out is usually second. Choosing a multi-application platform and financing it can lower the upfront cost significantly.
Do I have to buy my lasers upfront?
No. Most owners finance or lease devices, which spreads the cost into monthly payments that the treatments themselves help cover. Compare the total cost over the term, not just the monthly payment.
How much does a medical director cost?
Medical director arrangements vary widely by state and scope, from roughly $1,500 to $8,000 per month. Your state's rules on supervision, delegation and ownership also affect how you structure the agreement.
Can I open a MedSpa for less than $100,000?
Close to it. In a move-in-ready space, a solid starter setup (paint, signage and decor, opening injectables, a quality laser platform, a centrifuge system, training and launch marketing) runs about $91,000 and up, before licensing, medical director, insurance and working capital. Financing the laser can lower the upfront cash needed. A full build-out with several devices costs considerably more.
Ranges are estimates based on published industry data and our experience working with MedSpas, and are intended for planning only. Actual costs vary by state, city, space, provider mix and device choices. This guide is not legal, tax or financial advice.