What should I look at in a massage clinic’s heated tables, hot stones and equipment upkeep?
Test the heated tables and warmers yourself, look at wear on upholstery and cords, and ask for repair and cleaning records. Ask which items are near the end of their life, and who is responsible for upkeep day to day.
Go room by room. Lie on the tables, adjust them, and switch on the heating. Look at the upholstery for cracks, the cords and plugs for damage, and the controls for anything that sticks. Check the hot stone warmers and the stones themselves for chips, and ask how they are cleaned between clients.
Then ask for the upkeep story. Has anyone serviced the equipment? Are there receipts for repairs? Who decides when a worn table is replaced? A clinic that repairs in a hurry and keeps no notes may carry more hidden cost than one that has a simple list.
Finally, build a rough replacement list with the seller. Mark what is fine, what is ageing and what you would plan to change soon. If the sale includes the equipment, make sure it is listed item by item. A technician can check electrical items, and your accountant can help with how replacement costs are treated. If you expect to finance new gear, ask a lender early. Ask therapists which pieces they dislike using. Small complaints about a table that wobbles or a warmer that runs unevenly often point to the next repair and affect how clients feel during a session.
Key takeaways
- Try every table and warmer yourself.
- Ask for repair receipts and a cleaning routine.
- Build a replacement list and include equipment item by item in the sale.
Related reading
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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