How much you should charge for dog grooming depends on how long each dog takes, not just its size. The most reliable way to set prices is to work out your cost per hour (overheads plus the pay you want, divided by the hours you actually groom), then price each size and coat type by its typical time, plus shampoo and products. Add surcharges for matting and difficult handling so one tricky dog doesn’t wipe out your day.
This guide gives you the formula, a worked price list by size and coat, and how to handle extras like de-matting and mobile travel.
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Why size alone doesn’t work
A small Shih Tzu needing a full clip can take twice as long as a medium short-haired dog having a bath and tidy. Pricing purely by size means your long-coated and double-coated dogs are subsidised by everyone else. Price by size and coat type, and keep notes on how long each regular dog really takes.
Step 1: work out your hourly cost
Example for a groomer working from a small rented unit:
| Yearly cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unit rent | £6,000 |
| Utilities (water, electricity, heating) | £1,200 |
| Insurance | £300 |
| Equipment, blades and sharpening | £800 |
| Marketing | £400 |
| Booking software | £240 |
| Training | £400 |
| Laundry and waste | £300 |
| Total overheads | £9,640 |
Target pay before tax: £25,000. Total needed: £9,640 + £25,000 = £34,640.
Grooming hours: 28 hours a week of actual grooming (not admin or cleaning) over 46 working weeks = 1,288 hours.
£34,640 ÷ 1,288 = £26.89 an hour, or about 45p a minute.
The pay figure is before tax and National Insurance; see how much tax to set aside when self-employed.
Step 2: time each size and coat type
Time real grooms for a few weeks, from the dog arriving to the table being clean. Then group dogs into bands. Typical bands are:
- Size: small, medium, large, giant.
- Coat: smooth or short; double coat (needs deshedding); long or clipped coat (needs scissoring or a full clip).
- Service: bath and tidy, deshed, full groom.
Step 3: build your price list
Price = (minutes × cost per minute) + products. Products here cover shampoo, conditioner, ear cleaner and so on, which go up with size.
| Dog and service | Typical time | Time cost | Products | Floor price | Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small, short coat: bath and tidy (e.g. Jack Russell) | 45 min | £20.17 | £1.50 | £21.67 | £22 |
| Small, long coat: full groom (e.g. Shih Tzu) | 90 min | £40.34 | £1.50 | £41.84 | £42 |
| Medium, double coat: deshed (e.g. Border Collie) | 105 min | £47.06 | £2.50 | £49.56 | £50 |
| Medium, clipped coat: full groom (e.g. Cockapoo) | 120 min | £53.78 | £2.50 | £56.28 | £57 |
| Large, double coat: full groom (e.g. Golden Retriever) | 150 min | £67.23 | £3.50 | £70.73 | £71 |
| Giant: full groom (e.g. Newfoundland) | 210 min | £94.12 | £5.00 | £99.12 | £100 |
These are floor prices: the least you can charge and still meet your costs and pay. If local groomers charge more for the same work, you can too. If they charge less, look at your hours, overheads and timings before cutting prices.
Surcharges and extras
Matting and de-matting
Charge by time. At £26.89 an hour, every extra 15 minutes costs you about £6.72, so a de-matting charge of £7 per 15 minutes covers it. Explain to the owner before you start, and get their agreement in writing if the coat needs shaving off instead. Our guide to dog grooming records and consent forms covers what to note.
Difficult or nervous dogs
Dogs that need two people, frequent breaks or a muzzle take longer. Note it on the dog’s record and charge for the extra time, or book them a longer slot at a quiet time.
Add-ons
Nail clipping on its own, teeth brushing, special shampoos and bows can be listed with their own prices. Time them the same way.
Overdue grooms
Some groomers price a “maintenance” groom lower for dogs booked every 4–6 weeks, because they’re quicker. It rewards regular clients and keeps your diary steady.
Mobile dog grooming prices
A mobile groomer doesn’t pay unit rent but has a van, water, power and travel time. Put the van’s running and finance costs into your overheads and count only grooming time as sellable hours. Then either add a travel charge by distance band, or plan rounds so dogs on the same street are booked back to back. Log every business mile: as a sole trader you can claim them on your tax return, and our guide on how to claim business mileage explains the 55p and 25p rates for 2026/27. Check with an accountant whether the flat rate or actual costs suit a specially converted van better.
Review your prices every year
Redo the sums once a year, and whenever rent, product prices or insurance go up. If you’re booked weeks ahead, that’s usually a sign your prices are too low. Give clients a month’s notice of increases.
An easy way to keep on top of it
The Dog Groomer Business Command Centre is a spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets that tracks your bookings, costs and profit, so your yearly price review is based on real numbers.
- Bookings tracker records owner and pet name, service, breed and coat notes, price and deposit, with balance due and payment status worked out automatically.
- Expense tracker logs costs by category with an automatic breakdown, giving you your overheads figure.
- Mileage log with an automatic mileage claim calculator, for mobile groomers.
- UK tax year summary with an estimated tax reserve, plus a 12-month revenue, expenses and profit chart.
See the Dog Groomer Business Command Centre →
Dog grooming pricing FAQs
How much do dog groomers charge in the UK?
It varies widely by area, dog size, coat and service. Rather than copy a national average, work out your own floor price from your costs and grooming time, then compare with groomers near you.
Should I charge more for matted dogs?
Yes. De-matting takes extra time and can be uncomfortable for the dog. Charge by the time it takes, tell the owner before you start, and get consent if a shave-down is the kinder option.
How do I put my grooming prices up without losing clients?
Give at least a month’s notice, explain that costs have risen, and keep increases regular and modest. Clients who value a good groomer rarely leave over a few pounds.
Do mobile dog groomers charge more?
Often, yes. Owners pay for the convenience, and the groomer has van costs and travel time to cover.
This guide is general information, not financial or tax advice. All prices are worked examples, not recommended rates; use your own costs and check GOV.UK or an accountant for tax rules.
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