Install cost by method
| Method | Install cost |
|---|---|
| Clip-in | $100 - 400 |
| Halo | $150 - 500 |
| Weave (sew-in) | $300 - 1,500 |
| Tape-in | $400 - 1,200 |
| Micro-link | $600 - 2,000 |
| Keratin bond (fusion) | $800 - 2,500 |
Prices vary by region and amount of hair.
These ranges are wide because each one covers a small amount of hair at a budget salon through a full head at a high-end one. The amount of hair used moves the price more than almost any other single factor.
What actually drives the price
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Amount of hair (weight/volume) | The single biggest driver - more hair, higher cost |
| Human hair vs synthetic | Human hair costs substantially more but styles and lasts better |
| Number of attachment points | Micro-link and keratin bond involve more individual placements, more labour |
| Stylist experience level | Extension specialists price above general stylists |
| Region and salon tier | Metro and high-end salons run above the low end of every range here |
| Colour matching and custom blending | Adds cost when your natural colour needs a bespoke match |
Ongoing maintenance by method
Clip-in and halo need no salon maintenance at all — they go in and out at home. The other four methods do, on a schedule that is part of what you are paying for.
| Method | Maintenance | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tape-in | Move-up every 6 - 8 weeks | $150 - 350 per visit |
| Micro-link | Tightening or reinstall every 2 - 3 months | Similar range to a partial reinstall |
| Keratin bond | Refill every 3 - 4 months | Similar range to a partial reinstall |
| Weave | Reinstall every 6 - 10 weeks | Varies by salon - ask for a maintenance quote |
Maintenance pricing varies more by salon than install pricing does. Ask at consultation.
What a full year actually costs
This is the number that matters if you plan to wear extensions continuously rather than for a single event.
| Method | Approx. annual cost |
|---|---|
| Clip-in | ~$250 |
| Halo | Similar to clip-in - no reinstall required |
| Tape-in | ~$1,700 - 2,600 |
| Micro-link | ~$2,000 - 2,800 |
| Keratin bond | ~$2,500 - 3,500 |
| Weave | Varies widely by reinstall frequency and salon pricing |
Removal cost
Removal is often quoted separately from install and maintenance, and it is easy to forget to budget for it.
| Method | Typical removal cost |
|---|---|
| Clip-in / halo | Free - remove at home |
| Tape-in | $50 - 200 |
| Micro-link | Similar range - varies by salon |
| Keratin bond | Often the most time-consuming to remove, priced accordingly |
| Weave | Varies by salon |
Many salons discount removal when it is paired with a new install in the same visit, since some of the chair time overlaps. Ask about this rather than assuming it is automatic.
Full head vs partial - how much hair changes the number
Salons usually quote by the amount of hair (in wefts, bundles, or grams) rather than a flat per-head price, and this is the single biggest lever inside any of the ranges above.
| Coverage | Typical use case | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| Partial (crown or top sections only) | Adding volume without much extra length | Lower end of the method's range |
| Half head | Moderate length and volume throughout | Middle of the range |
| Full head | Maximum length and volume, all-over coverage | Upper end of the range |
Asking for "a full head" without discussing your actual density can lead to more hair than your natural hair comfortably supports - see the guide on damage risk for why that matters beyond just the price.
Costs people forget to budget for
- Sulphate-free or extension-safe shampoo and conditioner, which most stylists recommend to protect both the hair and the attachment.
- A loop brush or extension-specific brush, designed to be gentler at the attachment points than a regular brush.
- Colour touch-ups on the extension hair itself, if your natural colour shifts (from sun, for example) and the two no longer match as closely.
- A consultation fee, which some salons charge separately and credit toward the install if you book.
The cost of correcting a set that is not right
A set that is too heavy, badly colour-matched, or installed with attachment points spaced unevenly is not just a cosmetic annoyance — fixing it usually means paying for a partial or full removal and reinstall, on top of what you already spent.
| Problem | Typical fix | Added cost |
|---|---|---|
| Colour mismatch | Partial removal and reinstall of the mismatched wefts | Roughly a partial install price |
| Too much hair added | Removal of some wefts to reduce weight | Removal cost, sometimes waived if done quickly after install |
| Uneven or poorly placed attachment points | Full removal and reinstall, often at a different salon | Removal plus a full new install |
Getting a quote that will actually hold
- 1Ask for a price after they see your hair, not a number quoted over the phone or from a menu.
- 2Ask exactly what is included - hair, application, a cut or blend afterward, and aftercare products.
- 3Ask what the maintenance schedule costs, not just the install, before you book.
- 4Ask what happens if you are unhappy with the colour match or the amount of hair once it is in.
- 5Get it in writing if the salon offers a written estimate, so the number you agreed to is the number you pay.
What else the money buys
Comparing extensions against other things you could do with the same budget puts the number in perspective.
| Option | Approx. cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Clip-in set | $100 - 400 | Occasional length/volume, worn on your own schedule |
| One tape-in cycle (install + 1 move-up) | $550 - 1,550 | A few months of continuous natural-looking length |
| A year of tape-ins | $1,700 - 2,600 | Continuous wear with scheduled maintenance |
| A year of keratin bond | $2,500 - 3,500 | Continuous wear, closer blend, more attachment points |
Prices vary by region and amount of hair.
Budgeting for extensions realistically
- 1Price out a full year, not just the install, for any of the four semi-permanent methods.
- 2Ask for a written estimate that separates install, maintenance, and removal, so nothing is a surprise later.
- 3Ask whether the quote assumes your hair length and density, or a generic amount - it usually needs adjusting once the stylist sees your hair.
- 4Budget for extension-safe hair products as a recurring line item, not a one-time purchase.
- 5Decide upfront whether you are testing the method or committing to a year, since that changes whether clip-in, halo, or a semi-permanent method makes more financial sense.
Cheapest is not always the best value
A very low quote for a semi-permanent method is worth asking about rather than simply taking. It can mean less hair than you expected, a less experienced stylist, or attachment points placed further apart than is comfortable for your hair density. A price well below the ranges here is a reason to ask more questions, not a reason to book faster.
The short version
Clip-in and halo cost the least overall because there is no maintenance appointment. Tape-in sits in the middle. Micro-link and keratin bond cost the most per year because of how often they need attention and how many attachment points they involve. Whatever method you pick, ask for the annual number before you commit to the first appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Q.What is the cheapest hair extension option?
Clip-in extensions, at $100 to $400 for a set and roughly $250 a year with normal use, since there is no ongoing salon maintenance.
Q.What is the most expensive hair extension method?
Keratin bond (fusion), which runs $800 to $2,500 to install and $2,500 to $3,500 a year with quarterly refills, reflecting the number of individual attachment points involved.
Q.Do hair extension prices include removal?
Usually not. Removal is typically a separate cost, commonly $50 to $200 for tape-in and similar for other semi-permanent methods, sometimes discounted when paired with a new install.
Q.Why is there such a wide price range for the same method?
The amount of hair used is the biggest factor, followed by human hair versus synthetic, stylist experience, and regional salon pricing.
Q.Are clip-in extensions worth it if I only wear them occasionally?
Often yes. Without a maintenance schedule to pay for, clip-in and halo are the lowest-cost options for occasional wear, and the hair itself can last 6 to 12 months with care.
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