How to Price Your Grooming Services
Pricing by breed and coat, add-ons, mobile premiums, and how to raise prices without losing clients
Pricing is the decision that quietly determines whether your grooming business thrives or just survives. Charge too little and you'll be exhausted and broke; charge for your skill and you'll build a sustainable business with clients who value your work. Yet most groomers set prices by nervously glancing at the salon down the street. This guide covers how to price your grooming services properly — by coat and effort, not guesswork — and how to raise prices when it's time without scaring off your good clients.
Why most groomers underprice
New groomers especially tend to price from fear: fear that clients will balk, that they're not "experienced enough," that the shop across town is cheaper. So they set a flat low rate and absorb the hard dogs at a loss.
The problem is that grooming cost isn't flat. A bath-and-tidy on a cooperative smooth-coat Chihuahua and a full de-matting shave-down on a screaming, pelted Doodle are not the same job — but flat pricing charges them the same. Pricing by effort fixes that, and it's the single biggest lever on your income.
Method 1: Price by size and breed
The foundation of most grooming menus. Bigger dogs and higher-maintenance coats take more time, product, and effort, so they cost more.
Ranges are illustrative — set yours to your market and skill level.
Breed-specific pricing goes a step further: a Standard Poodle in a show trim or a hand-stripped Terrier commands more than a size-based rate because of the skill and time involved. Price your specialties accordingly.
Method 2: Price by time
Some groomers price (or at least cross-check) by the hour. Know your target hourly rate, estimate how long a groom takes, and make sure your menu prices hit that number. This is especially useful for add-ons and difficult dogs — charging de-matting by the quarter hour ensures you're paid for the grind.
Build a smart add-on menu
Add-ons are where good groomers protect their margins. Break out the extras so you're paid for the work most likely to blow up your schedule:
- De-shedding treatment — for blowing-coat Huskies, Goldens, and Shepherds.
- De-matting — charged by the quarter hour, with a matting surcharge.
- Nail grinding, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, gland expression.
- Specialty shampoo / skin treatments.
- Behavior/handling surcharge — for dogs that require extra time and care to groom safely.
- Flea treatment — with a premium for the extra sanitation it demands.
A clear add-on menu also sets client expectations, so the "why is it more this time?" conversation is answered before it starts. Grab our dog grooming price list template to build yours.
Don't forget your costs
Your prices have to cover more than your time. Factor in product (shampoo, conditioner), equipment wear and blade sharpening, rent or vehicle costs, insurance, software, payment processing, and — critically — your own taxes and benefits. If you're not netting a real wage after all that, your prices are too low. Running the numbers in a proper business plan makes this obvious fast.
Mobile groomers: charge the convenience premium
If you're mobile, your pricing should sit above a comparable salon groom — typically 15–30% higher — because you're delivering convenience and a low-stress, one-on-one experience, and absorbing fuel and drive time. Add a trip fee for clients outside your core zone and a per-stop minimum so a single small dog is still worth the drive. Undervaluing mobile is leaving real money on the table; see how much mobile groomers make for the earning picture.
How to raise your prices without losing clients
Prices should rise over time — your costs do, and so does your skill. The trick is doing it professionally:
- Give notice. Tell clients a few weeks ahead by text or email. No surprises at checkout.
- Keep it modest and regular. Small annual increases are easier to accept than a rare, large jump.
- Frame it simply. "To keep providing the best care for your pup, our prices are adjusting on [date]." No apology needed.
- Lead with value. A reminder of what clients get — the care, the communication, the consistency — softens the change.
- Expect to lose a few. The most price-sensitive clients may leave, and that's usually fine; they're often the hardest to please and the least profitable.
A confirmation-and-reminder system makes the notice easy to send to everyone at once — one more reason your texting setup earns its keep.
Put your pricing where clients (and your team) can see it
Once your menu is set, it needs to live somewhere everyone can use it: on your booking page so clients know before they arrive, and in your software so every groom is priced consistently. Teddy lets you set services and pricing that flow into booking and checkout — alongside options like MoeGo and DaySmart — so the matted-Doodle surcharge doesn't get forgotten at the register. Consistent pricing is a margin protector all on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for dog grooming?
It depends on your market, but full grooms commonly range from about $55 for a small dog to $180+ for a giant or double-coated breed, with add-ons on top. Price by size, coat, and effort rather than a flat rate, and make sure your numbers cover costs plus a real wage.
How do I price grooming add-ons?
Break out extras like de-shedding, de-matting (by the quarter hour), nail grinding, and behavior handling as separate line items. This ensures you're paid for the work that takes the most time and sets clear expectations with clients.
Should mobile groomers charge more than salons?
Yes — typically 15–30% more, plus a trip fee for distant clients and a per-stop minimum. You're charging for convenience, a low-stress experience, and your drive time and fuel.
How often should I raise my grooming prices?
Small, regular increases (often annually) are easier for clients to accept than rare large jumps. Give a few weeks' notice, keep the increase modest, and frame it around continued quality of care.
How do I raise prices without losing clients?
Give advance notice, keep increases small and regular, communicate simply and confidently, and remind clients of the value they receive. Expect to lose a few of the most price-sensitive clients — usually the least profitable ones.
Pricing for your skill and your costs isn't greedy — it's what keeps you in business long enough to keep grooming. Price by effort, protect your margins with add-ons, charge the mobile premium, and raise prices professionally over time. To keep every groom priced consistently and make price-change notices easy to send, Teddy ties services, pricing, and texting together — a handy tool to compare as you tighten up your menu.
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