{
  "slug": "consultation-required-color-price",
  "question": "What does consultation required mean for a hair-color price?",
  "answer": "A required consultation means the final treatment quote is not established by the displayed starting amount. The table shows published conditions; confirm service scope, eligibility and the quote before treating an option as within budget.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "id": "arrow-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "arrow-salon-mission",
        "name": "Arrow Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Complimentary consultations are available in person or by contacting the salon.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.arrowsalonsf.com/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:34:11Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "oro-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "oro-castro-upper-market",
        "name": "Blond.ish"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Consultation requested for becoming a bleach-and-tone client; transformational color requires current and desired-hair photos. Consultation-dependent services should be discussed before booking.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.blondishhair.com/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:28:25.190923+00:00"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "code-salon-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "code-salon-castro-upper-market",
        "name": "Code Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Required before color, texture and special-occasion services.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://codesalonsf.com/services/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-23T14:56:25Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "glama-rama-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "glama-rama-salon-mission",
        "name": "Glama-Rama Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Free consultations. Creative color requires consultation at least 24 hours before service; first-time bleach and tone also requires consultation.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://glamarama.com/services/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:35Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "habitat-nob-hill:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "habitat-nob-hill",
        "name": "Habitat"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "First-time clients require consultation before full/partial placement, all-over color, or bleach-and-tone service.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://book.squareup.com/appointments/856s2ddhpsx5u2/location/LD0R0ENTP3M6Z/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:28:54.125583+00:00"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hairshaper:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "hairshaper",
        "name": "Hair Shaper"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Consultation is included for color and specialty services. Prices vary with length, density and complexity.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://hairshapersalon.net/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:42:45Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hairetics-salon-south-of-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "hairetics-salon-south-of-market",
        "name": "Hairetics Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "New color, dreadlock and extension guests, and guests absent 6+ months, require consultation before booking. The $25 non-refundable consultation fee is separate from the service price.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://haireticssalon.com/contact/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:38Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "headprint-studio-castro-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "headprint-studio-castro-castro-upper-market",
        "name": "Headprint Studio Castro"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Complimentary consultations are offered; color correction requires consultation, and new bleach-and-tone clients must consult first.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://book.squareup.com/appointments/sggdattnqgnorv/location/L65T9MY5RFW4Z/services?buttonTextColor=ffffff&color=000000&locale=en&referrer=so&team_member_id=TMr9rZlSzqF68_YF",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:31:55.291211+00:00"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hillside-neighbor-barbershop-mission:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "hillside-neighbor-barbershop-mission",
        "name": "Hillside Neighbor Barbershop"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "All hair dye services start with a consultation.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.hillsideneighbor.com/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:37Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "jungle-red-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "jungle-red-castro-upper-market",
        "name": "Jungle Red"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Bleach-and-tone, balayage, creative color and color correction require an in-salon consultation before booking.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.jungleredsf.com/cancellations",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:28:50.404700+00:00"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "makers-make-parlor:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "makers-make-parlor",
        "name": "Makers Make Parlor"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Every appointment begins with a consultation; book color first when combining with a haircut.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.wearethemakers.net/new-here/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:34Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "patrick-evan-salon-financial-district-south-beach:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "patrick-evan-salon-financial-district-south-beach",
        "name": "Patrick Evan Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Appointment begins with consultation; prior consultation advised for major color changes or corrective work.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.patrickevansalon.com/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-23T14:56:25Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "principle-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "principle-salon-mission",
        "name": "Principle Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Salon guide lists a $40/20-minute color consultation credited to a booked service. Independent stylists may offer different consultation terms.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.principlesalon.com/services",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-24T09:33:36Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "saviour-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "saviour-salon-mission",
        "name": "Saviour Salon"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "Free color consultation required for first-time clients before booking; published treatment amounts are not a final quote.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.saviourssalon.com/",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:15Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "steel-and-lacquer-south-of-market:guide:consultation",
      "salon": {
        "slug": "steel-and-lacquer-south-of-market",
        "name": "Steel & Lacquer"
      },
      "subject": "consultation",
      "cells": [
        {
          "label": "Published policy",
          "value": "New guests offered virtual consultation. Corrective color, global bleach and specialty styling need consultation/photos for time and quote.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://www.steelandlacquer.com/menu",
              "label": "salon website",
              "data_as_of": null,
              "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:38:32Z"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "method": "Published consultation conditions are distinct from a complimentary consultation explicitly included in a named service.",
  "sections": [],
  "kind": "explainer",
  "topic": "consultation-required-color-price",
  "neighborhood": null,
  "metrics": [
    {
      "key": "examples",
      "label": "Evidence rows",
      "value": 15,
      "unit": "count",
      "evidence_ids": [
        "arrow-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
        "oro-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
        "code-salon-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
        "glama-rama-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
        "habitat-nob-hill:guide:consultation",
        "hairshaper:guide:consultation",
        "hairetics-salon-south-of-market:guide:consultation",
        "headprint-studio-castro-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
        "hillside-neighbor-barbershop-mission:guide:consultation",
        "jungle-red-castro-upper-market:guide:consultation",
        "makers-make-parlor:guide:consultation",
        "patrick-evan-salon-financial-district-south-beach:guide:consultation",
        "principle-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
        "saviour-salon-mission:guide:consultation",
        "steel-and-lacquer-south-of-market:guide:consultation"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "caveats": [
    "This is recorded catalog evidence, not a complete market survey or a ranking of salon quality.",
    "Published prices, business hours and booking links do not confirm a free appointment. Final scope, quote and policies need merchant confirmation."
  ],
  "upstream_queries": [],
  "last_updated": "2026-10-25T20:42:45Z",
  "data_as_of": null,
  "checked_at": "2026-10-25T20:42:45Z",
  "oldest_observation": "2026-10-23T14:56:25Z",
  "salon_slugs": [
    "arrow-salon-mission",
    "oro-castro-upper-market",
    "code-salon-castro-upper-market",
    "glama-rama-salon-mission",
    "habitat-nob-hill",
    "hairshaper",
    "hairetics-salon-south-of-market",
    "headprint-studio-castro-castro-upper-market",
    "hillside-neighbor-barbershop-mission",
    "jungle-red-castro-upper-market",
    "makers-make-parlor",
    "patrick-evan-salon-financial-district-south-beach",
    "principle-salon-mission",
    "saviour-salon-mission",
    "steel-and-lacquer-south-of-market"
  ],
  "task_slugs": [
    "soma-creative-color-under-300",
    "castro-hair-color-under-250"
  ],
  "dataset_revision": "b-merchants@2026-10-23T11:05:07Z#4f15ef234749;price-kinds@2026-10-24T09:56:47Z+public-research@e360e97d86a8+handoffs@eeeb1675e507",
  "decision_facts_revision": "decision-facts@2026-10-23T15:34:38Z"
}