Copying the shop down the street is how groomers end up working ten-hour days for less than minimum wage. Price from your own time and costs first, then sanity-check against the market.
Use a timer for two weeks. Include check-in, drying, clean-up, and the chat at pickup, not just scissor time. Most groomers discover large and double-coated dogs take far longer than they have been charging for.
Pick the take-home hourly pay you need. Then add overhead (rent or van costs, insurance, shears and blade sharpening, software) as a percentage, and a profit margin on top so the business can grow and survive slow months.
Price = (hours × hourly pay + supplies + setup) × (1 + overhead) ÷ (1 − margin). With $35/hour pay, 15% overhead, 20% margin, and $5 setup per appointment:
| Service | Hours | Supplies | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath & brush, small dog | 1.25 | $4 | $80 |
| Full groom, small dog | 2 | $5 | $115 |
| Full groom, medium dog | 2.75 | $7 | $160 |
| Full groom, large dog | 3.5 | $10 | $200 |
If those numbers are well above what your area charges, the answer is not to drop the price. Look for time savings (better dryers, booking similar dogs back-to-back) or add high-margin extras like teeth brushing and nail grinding.
A clear, printed price list cuts down on haggling and makes surcharges feel like policy rather than a surprise.
Use the free dog grooming calculator to price every service from your costs and make a professional price list in minutes.
Open the dog grooming price list maker