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-   -   Eager but nervous (http://tantalk.com/new-tanning-business/2390397-eager-but-nervous.html)

MommaSun 11-06-2012 11:01 AM

Eager but nervous
 
First off, please be kind...I'm hoping for a little advice. I'm looking at setting up in a 1700 sq ft space that is in need of an electrical upgrade.

It currently has an old 100 amp breaker, which will be replaced. The additional power I need is at the main box on the building, just needs to be run to the individual store. We just got hit with Sandy so all electricians are on call to those poor poor folks who still don't have power. I'm leaving them to their duties, leaving me with no one to bug about the salon.

Basically, I was considering having a 200 amp, 3 phase breaker. Then I spoke with a bed rep who mentioned that a 400 amp might be a better option based on the space available for expansion. I only want to start with 5 beds and a line of resort wear/lotions, but I would really like to expand and acquire higher level beds in a year. If I'm going to do it, I want to do it right. Any input on amperage, brands of beds, number of beds, breaker sizes, etc would be very much appreciated.

The store front area is highly visible, just on the outskirts of our business district. There's no salon in the neighboring town and the only salon here closed in the middle of the summer; not due to a lack of customers but more so b/c of dissatisfied customers. I spoke to the employees there before it closed, as I was considering purchasing that location (until I found out her rent was $7,000/mo!!) and they had a huge client list that ran a 40 mile span. Basically, if I set up soon, I'm the only salon within a 3 town radius. I NEED my beds to keep the clients coming back, or they'll prefer to keep traveling to the other salons. I'm worried that if I ask local owners for advice, they won't want to help b/c I'd be direct competition.

I'm not naive, but I am terribly hopeful!

parrot head 11-06-2012 12:47 PM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
A minimun 400 amp service is needed especially if you expect to pick up any of that hugh cliant base the closed salon had. Five beds just won't do it. Look at what the closed salon at for equipment and that will give you some direction.

delany 11-06-2012 01:13 PM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
Running electric is super costly! Business districts are not necessarily the best places to open a tanning salon.

parrot head 11-06-2012 02:02 PM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
If the electric is already in the building, and not something the power co. has to bring in, the cost is manageble. If the power has to be brought to the building, well that's another story. When I did the buildout on my salon, I brought in 800 amp 3 phase and the electic company just called it a service upgrade, at no cost to me. I just had to run the conduit across the parking lot from the pole. Maybe your electric co could do the same.

MommaSun 11-06-2012 02:06 PM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
It would be lovely if the utility companies would cover the cost, but I spoke with a rep and she said they don't do it... I'll try again and maybe I'll get a shove in the right direction at least. The power is at the building, from what I understand. I'm going to meet with the electrician again and be sure.

Black Sun 11-07-2012 05:29 PM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MommaSun (Post 15068452)
It would be lovely if the utility companies would cover the cost, but I spoke with a rep and she said they don't do it... I'll try again and maybe I'll get a shove in the right direction at least. The power is at the building, from what I understand. I'm going to meet with the electrician again and be sure.

For LI prices, expect to pay a minimum of 10K to run new power to the building, more if a conduit goes into ground/parking lot needs to be dug up..

5beds not much of a guarantee of revenue...10 beds at least needed to break even.

parrot head 11-08-2012 06:29 AM

Re: Eager but nervous
 
Like I said, about doing the conduit, our parking lot was then, crushed rock and I hired an electicial contractor to trench it in and he had to run it about 100 foot from the 230v pole. The power company then had to run 4 big wires from the transformer down to the conduit. They then had to pull these wires 100 feet to the building. I'm thinking that, if I had to pay for that it would have cost me upwards to $40000 and I maybe wouldn't have opened my salon. I remember talking to the electrician, afterwards, and a rep from the power company, thought that they wouldn't recoup their costs in additional electric consumption by our salon. I bet they were pleasently suprised, when they see the meter readings every month.


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