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October 26, 2026

How to Price Mobile Dog Grooming: Base Rates, Travel Fees, and Add-Ons

A step-by-step guide to pricing mobile dog grooming, including size-based rates, travel zones, matting fees, and multi-pet discounts.

Pricing is the question almost every new mobile groomer asks, and plenty of experienced ones still second-guess. Charge too little and you work hard for thin margins. Charge too much without explaining why, and clients look elsewhere.

The good news: mobile grooming sits in a strong position. You offer convenience, one-on-one attention, and a calmer experience for the dog, and clients expect to pay more than at a salon. This guide shows how to set prices that reflect your costs and your value. The dollar figures are examples to show the method, not market rates. Prices vary by region, so always check competitors near you.

Key takeaways

  • Start from your cost per appointment, then add a profit you are happy with.
  • Build a price grid by size and coat, and write down what each service includes.
  • Charge travel as one fee per stop, using zones or mileage beyond a free radius.
  • Tell clients about matting and extra-time fees before the groom, not after.
  • Publish starting prices, and review your prices at least once a year.

Start with your costs, not competitors

Copying the going rate can hide a problem: it may not cover your costs. Before setting prices, list what each appointment costs you: vehicle (fuel, maintenance, insurance, depreciation), supplies, water and power, software and phone, licenses, and your own time including driving and cleanup. Divide monthly fixed costs by your average appointments, add the variable cost per dog, and your prices must sit comfortably above that. Our guide to per-appointment profit walks through it.

Understand the mobile premium

Mobile grooming usually commands a premium over storefront prices. Some industry guides put it at around 20 to 40 percent, though your market may differ. Clients pay it because they skip the drive, drop-off, and pick-up, the dog avoids kennels and other animals, the groomer works with one dog at a time, and anxious or senior dogs often do better at home. You are selling a stress-free morning, not a haircut.

Step 1: Build a base grid by size and coat

A simple example:

Size Typical weight Example base price
Toy / small Under 20 lb $85
Medium 20 to 50 lb $105
Large 50 to 90 lb $130
Giant Over 90 lb $160

Size affects time, and coat affects time even more. A poodle or doodle takes far longer than a short-coated dog of the same size, so many groomers add coat tiers (short, medium, long or curly, double) with a set amount for each.

Step 2: Define what is included

Vague packages cause arguments. Write down exactly what each service includes. For example, a bath and tidy might cover bath, blow-dry, brush-out, ear cleaning, nail trim, and sanitary trim; a full groom adds a haircut in the style the client chooses; add-ons such as teeth brushing or a deshedding treatment have their own prices. When a client asks for more, you can say, "That's an add-on for $12. Shall I include it?"

Step 3: Set a travel fee policy

Travel is where new mobile groomers most often lose money, because a client 25 minutes away costs far more than one five minutes away. Three common approaches:

  1. Zones. Inner zone free, middle zone a modest fee, outer zone more (for example, "Zone B trip fee: $15").
  2. Mileage after a free radius. The first ten miles free, then a set amount per mile.
  3. Built into the base price. Simple, but it hides the real cost.

For a sense of scale, the IRS 2026 business standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile. That is a tax rate, not your exact cost, but a 20-mile round trip is about $14.50 by that yardstick, before your time. Charge one travel fee per stop, not per pet.

Try RouteWag free for 15 days. Once your prices are set, make them easy to act on. RouteWag gives every groomer a booking page where pet owners request a time and enter their address in one step. Start your free trial

Step 4: Plan for matting, behavior, and extra time

Some dogs do not fit the standard price. Matted coats take extra time and can be uncomfortable for the dog, so many groomers charge for dematting in 15-minute increments. Difficult behavior may need a handling fee, or a polite decline if the dog cannot be groomed safely. Fleas or ticks found on site, and very large dogs, can also justify extra charges. Put every such fee in your written policy before the first visit. Surprise charges damage trust; clear terms protect it.

Step 5: Offer multi-pet discounts carefully

Multi-pet homes are some of your best clients: one drive, one setup, one cleanup. A small discount, such as five to ten percent off the second dog, rewards that without hurting margin. Do not discount so much that a two-dog home pays less per hour than a one-dog home. Check how long each dog actually takes.

Step 6: Add your cancellation terms

A price list is not complete without a cancellation and late-fee policy. State a free-change cutoff and any fee at booking. Our guide to reducing no-shows covers how to write and enforce one.

Step 7: Be transparent on your website

Many groomers hide prices because every dog is different, which frustrates people who want a rough idea. Show starting prices or ranges and explain what changes them: "Full grooms start at $95 for small dogs and $130 for large dogs. Final price depends on coat condition and size. Trip fees apply outside our core area." Honesty filters out poor fits and saves you messages.

Step 8: Review prices every year

Fuel, supplies, and your skills all change. Review prices at least yearly and raise them gradually, giving existing clients a few weeks' notice and a friendly explanation. A small yearly increase is almost always easier than a big jump after three years of silence.

Frequently asked questions

How much more should mobile grooming cost than a salon?

Some industry guides cite a premium of roughly 20 to 40 percent. The right figure for you depends on your market, your costs, and how in-demand your calendar is.

Do I charge travel per pet or per stop?

Per stop. A household with three dogs should not pay triple travel, and one fee keeps your pricing simple to explain.

Do I need to charge sales tax on grooming?

It depends on your state and sometimes on whether the sale is a service or a product. Check with your state revenue office or an accountant.

How often should I raise my prices?

At least once a year, in small steps, with notice. Raise sooner if fuel or supply costs jump.

Conclusion

Good pricing does not mean charging the most. It means charging enough to keep your business sustainable, in a way clients can understand. Know your costs, build a clear grid, charge travel as a single fee, write down your terms, and review everything yearly. Pricing conversations get much easier once the rules are on paper.

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Sources and further reading