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Dog Grooming Price List Template
Pricing structures for baths, full grooms, breed-specific cuts, and add-ons
If you've ever stared at a blank spreadsheet trying to figure out what to charge for a Goldendoodle full groom versus a Bichon bath-and-tidy, you're not alone. Building a clear, defensible dog grooming price list is one of the most-skipped business steps for new groomers and one of the most-overdue updates for established salons. This template gives you a working structure you can customize — pricing tiers by size and coat type, add-on services, breed-specific examples, and language you can paste directly onto your website or post in your salon.
Why You Need a Written Price List
A written price list does four things: it sets client expectations before they walk in, it protects you from awkward checkout conversations, it makes price increases easier to communicate, and it gives your team a single source of truth so every groomer charges the same dog the same price. Without one, you'll quietly leak revenue every week and end up under-pricing whichever client asks the loudest.
A good price list is not a fixed menu — it's a starting framework. Most experienced groomers price as a range based on coat condition, behavior, and time required, with the posted price as the baseline.
The Pricing Framework
Most successful grooming price lists use a combination of three pricing inputs.
Size of the dog. Small (under 20 lbs), medium (20-50 lbs), large (50-80 lbs), extra-large (80+ lbs). This is your primary axis.
Coat type and length. Short coat, double coat, curly/poodle coat, wire coat, drop coat. A standard poodle takes much longer than a short-haired lab of the same size.
Service tier. Bath-only, bath-and-tidy, full groom, breed-specific cut, hand-stripping.
Multiply size × coat × tier and you get a defensible matrix. The template below is structured this way.
Bath-Only Service Pricing
A bath-only service typically includes wash, blow-dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, anal gland expression (where offered), and a sanitary trim. No full haircut.
Use the upper range for double-coated breeds that need significant blow-out time (huskies, malamutes, golden retrievers in shedding season). Use the lower range for short-coated easy bathers (boxers, beagles, French bulldogs).
Full Groom Pricing
A full groom includes everything in a bath-plus a full haircut, breed-appropriate styling, and finishing.
These are mid-market prices. Mobile groomers and high-cost-of-living urban salons can add 25-50% on top.
Breed-Specific Pricing Examples
Many salons post sample prices for common breeds so clients can see roughly what to expect. These are useful when a client calls and asks "how much for a Bernedoodle?"
Post these as "starting at" prices and note that final price depends on coat condition.
Add-On Services Menu
Add-ons are how groomers raise average ticket without raising base prices. Most clients say yes to one or two when offered at booking or check-in.
Surcharge Policies
Be explicit about surcharges so they don't feel like surprises at checkout.
Matting surcharge. Severely matted dogs take 2-3x longer to safely groom and risk skin damage. Most salons add $15-$60 depending on severity, or recommend a shave-down with a separate price.
Behavior surcharge. Aggressive or extremely difficult dogs may require a muzzle, two groomers, or longer appointment time. $15-$50 add-on, or a refusal-of-service policy if the dog can't be safely handled.
No-show fee. Most salons charge 50%-100% of the appointment price for no-shows. Pair with a deposit system to enforce.
Late pickup fee. $1-$2 per minute after 15 minutes late is common to discourage dogs sitting in kennels.
Holiday / weekend surcharge. Some salons add 10-20% for Saturday or pre-holiday slots.
Sample Price List Layout (Copy/Paste Ready)
Here's a clean, customer-facing version you can adapt for your website or printed menu.
[Salon Name] Grooming Menu
Prices are starting prices and vary by breed, coat condition, and behavior. Final price is confirmed at check-in.
Bath & TidyIncludes shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, ear cleaning, and sanitary trim.
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): from $45
- Medium (20-50 lbs): from $60
- Large (50-80 lbs): from $80
- Extra Large (80+ lbs): from $100
Full GroomEverything in Bath & Tidy plus full breed-appropriate haircut.
- Small: from $70
- Medium: from $90
- Large: from $115
- Extra Large: from $145
Popular Add-Ons
- Teeth brushing: $12
- Blueberry facial: $8
- Deshedding treatment: $20-$35
- Nail grinding: $8
- Specialty shampoo: $10
Surcharges
- Matting: $15-$60 (or recommended shave-down)
- Behavior accommodation: starts at $15
- No-show fee: 50% of appointment price
- Late pickup: $1.50/min after 15-min grace
How to Actually Roll Out a New Price List
Posting a new price list is the easy part. Communicating it without losing clients is what matters.
- Set a date 30 days out. Don't surprise anyone.
- Write a short, calm note. Explain that prices are being updated to reflect product costs, time per dog, and the level of care you provide. Don't apologize.
- Post it in the salon, on your website, and on social. Don't bury it.
- Text regulars individually if you have a system that supports it. Platforms like Teddy with unlimited two-way SMS make this easy. MoeGo, DaySmart, and Gingr also support mass updates.
- Hold the line. A few clients will push back. Most won't. The ones who leave were rarely your best clients anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I price a dog I've never groomed before?
Use the posted starting price as a baseline and tell the client at check-in that final pricing depends on coat condition and time. Most groomers add $10-$30 for first-time clients of unknown breeds to cover the assessment.
Should I charge by time or by service?
Most salons price by service with hidden time math behind it (you've already calculated your hourly rate). Charging strictly by time gets confusing for clients and discourages efficiency. Service-based pricing with surcharges for outliers is the standard.
How often should I update my dog grooming price list?
Most salons review pricing every 12-18 months. Product costs, rent, and minimum wage all creep up. If you haven't raised prices in two years, you're effectively giving every client a discount.
Do I have to post my prices publicly?
You don't have to, but you should. Clients who are price-sensitive will call to ask anyway, and posting "starting at" prices filters out clients outside your range. Plus, a posted price list signals professionalism.
How do I handle a client who balks at the price?
Stay calm and explain the value: time, products, expertise, and care. If they still push back, offer a smaller service (bath only instead of full groom). If they refuse to pay your posted price, they're not your client.
Can I use grooming software to enforce my price list?
Yes. Platforms like Teddy let you build your full menu into the system so every staff member rings up the same dog the same way. This eliminates accidental under-charging and makes reporting cleaner.
