Top tips from Tom, dell pm's MD.

• Set a realistic budget that you can afford.

• Think carefully about what you want to achieve, looks wise, from your salon, but don't forget about practicalities such as the number of sections required to achieve profit.

• Always use specialists who instantly understand your wants and needs.

• Remember the biggest cost of a new salon is labour, so think carefully about whether you want a large team over a short period or a smaller team over a longer period.

• Keep in contact with the refurbers regularly but don't be pulled into the day-to-day practicalities (unless you want to).