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Most groomers set their prices by glancing at the salon down the street and matching it. That's not pricing; that's guessing with extra steps. If your rates don't start from what your work actually costs you, in time, products, and overhead, you can be busy all week and still come up short. This guide walks through how to price your dog grooming services from the ground up: cover your costs, structure rates by size and coat, handle the tricky stuff like matting and add-ons, and raise prices without scaring off the clients you want to keep.
Start with your costs, not your competitors
Before you look at anyone else's prices, figure out your own numbers. Add up your fixed monthly costs (rent or van payment, insurance, software, utilities) and your per-dog costs (shampoo and products, water, electricity, wear on equipment). Then factor in the most valuable and limited resource you have: your time. A groom that takes two hours has to earn enough to cover its share of overhead and pay you a real wage, or it's a loss dressed up as a booking.
Only after you know your costs should you check local rates, and then as a sanity check, not a rulebook. Competitor prices tell you what the market tolerates; your costs tell you what you can survive. You need both, in that order.
Price by size and coat, then adjust for reality
Grooming prices vary because dogs vary. The standard approach is to price by size or coat type, then adjust for the individual dog's condition and behavior.
Use "starting at" pricing so you have room to adjust for the pelted doodle or the biter. Publish the structure clearly, and put the numbers into a clean price list clients can actually read.
Charge properly for matting and add-ons
De-matting is the service groomers most often undercharge for, and it's the riskiest and most time-consuming work you do. Price it as a separate add-on, usually per block of time, and disclose it before you start, ideally in your intake and service agreement. The same goes for de-shedding, teeth brushing, flea baths, and nail-only visits: list them separately so a full-service dog pays for full service. Bundling everything into one flat price trains clients to expect premium work at budget rates.
Don't compete on being the cheapest
It's tempting to win business by underpricing, but it's a trap. The cheapest groomer attracts the most price-sensitive, least loyal clients, and burns out doing high volume for low margins. You'll do better charging fairly for quality and building a base that values your work. Skilled, reliable grooming with good communication is worth a premium, and the clients you actually want will pay it. If you're building the business side around this, our business plan guide ties pricing into your overall model.
How to raise prices without losing clients
Rates need to rise as your costs do, and there's a right way to do it. Give notice, a few weeks ahead, by text or email, so no one is blindsided at checkout. Keep the increase reasonable and periodic rather than sudden and steep. Frame it simply and honestly around rising costs; you don't need to over-explain. Most good clients accept a modest, well-communicated increase without a second thought, especially when your service is consistent. The ones who leave over a small raise were rarely your profitable clients anyway.
Software helps here in a quiet way: when your pricing lives in your booking and checkout system, updates apply cleanly and every quote stays consistent. Platforms like Teddy let you set and adjust service pricing that flows into request-based booking and payment, alongside options such as MoeGo and DaySmart. If you're setting up or resetting your pricing, Teddy offers a free trial to build and test your service menu in a real week.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price my dog grooming services?
Start from your costs, fixed overhead, per-dog products, and your time, then set prices by size and coat type using "starting at" rates. Check local prices as a sanity check, and charge separately for add-ons like de-matting.
How much should I charge for de-matting?
Price de-matting as a separate add-on, commonly per block of time (for example, per 15 minutes), because it's time-consuming and higher-risk. Disclose the fee before you start, in your intake and service agreement, so it isn't a surprise.
Should I match my competitors' prices?
Use competitor prices only as a sanity check, not a rulebook. Your prices must first cover your own costs and pay you fairly. Competing to be the cheapest attracts price-sensitive clients and thin margins.
How do I raise my grooming prices without losing clients?
Give a few weeks' notice, keep increases reasonable and periodic, and frame them honestly around rising costs. Most loyal clients accept a modest, well-communicated raise, and consistent quality makes it easier.
Why shouldn't I be the cheapest groomer in town?
The lowest price attracts the least loyal, most demanding clients and forces high volume for low margins, which leads to burnout. Charging fairly for quality builds a stronger, more profitable client base.
