A salon cancellation policy template that's fair and enforceable.
Plain-English wording you can adapt and show before clients book — so a cancellation window and deposit feel reasonable, not punitive.
The best policy is short, visible before booking, and consistent. Adapt the window and amounts to your business; show it at checkout so it's never a surprise.
The core policy
State the window, what happens inside it, and how deposits apply.
- We hold your appointment with a deposit.
- Cancel or reschedule at least {hours} hours ahead at no charge.
- Inside {hours} hours, the deposit is forfeited.
- No-shows are charged the deposit and may require prepayment to rebook.
Late arrivals
Set expectations so a late client doesn't derail the rest of your day.
- Arriving more than {minutes} minutes late may mean a shortened service or rescheduling.
How to make it stick
Show it at booking, restate it in the reminder, and apply it consistently. Consistency is what makes a policy fair.
To respect everyone's time, we hold appointments with a deposit. Please cancel or reschedule at least {hours} hours in advance — within that window the deposit is forfeited, and no-shows are charged the deposit. Thanks for understanding!
Questions.
24–48 hours is standard for salons; longer for multi-hour services like color or extensions where the empty chair is harder to refill.
A deposit that's forfeited is usually enough and feels fairer than a full-price charge. Disclose it up front either way.