With around 44.5% of Americans owning a dog, it’s no surprise that mobile grooming is in high demand. But is it more expensive than salon grooming? This blog dives into the factors behind mobile grooming costs—from van expenses to the influence of breed and size on pricing. Read on to discover why mobile grooming can be worth every dollar.
Is Mobile Grooming More Expensive?
Mobile grooming is more expensive than pet grooming in a salon for multiple reasons. Mobile groomers focus on only one pet at a time, whereas salon groomers are able to simultaneously have more than one pet in different stages of the grooming process. Between the one-on-one attention required and the need to buffer drive time between appointments, a grooming time slot for a mobile setting requires more time than in a salon setting. Since this limits the number of appointments groomers can schedule each day, mobile groomers must charge a higher rate in order to cover costs.
While mobile groomers and salon groomers face similar overhead costs such as business insurance, marketing costs and administrative costs, mobile grooming has additional unique business expenses to cover as we discuss below.
How Much Does a Mobile Grooming Van Cost?
The cost of setting up a mobile grooming van can be substantial. Beyond the initial vehicle purchase, essential modifications, grooming tools and supplies need to be purchased. These items may include a tub, dryers, a pet hair vacuum, grooming table, mats, shower heads, shampoo and conditioner, brushes, combs, shears, leashes, nail clippers, Dremels, ear cleaning solutions and cleaning supplies to keep the workspace safe and sanitary. Converting the van for grooming requires additional investment, such as installing a generator or inverter to power equipment and a water discharge system to drain dirty water. On average, Smoochie Pooch’s mobile grooming vans cost around $120,000 to get up and running.
Fuel is another daily expense, as gas is required for both vans and generators. Electrical costs are also needed for grooming vans with inverters, as the inverter needs to be recharged after every shift.
Ongoing maintenance for the van is equally important. This includes changing filters, regular car washes to prevent rust, tire rotations, repairs, oil changes and refilling the water daily.
Factors that Affect Mobile Pet Grooming Cost
Beyond the operational costs of running a mobile van, your pet’s mobile grooming price is influenced by a number of factors unique to each individual pet.
Mobile Dog Grooming Prices
Breed, size and coat type all influence the cost of mobile grooming. These factors determine how much time and effort the groom requires. For example, a husky’s thick fur demands extensive bathing, drying and brushing, while doodle grooming requires more time for haircutting. Breeds like beagles and chihuahuas, by comparison, require less time to groom due to their size and lower maintenance needs.
The time since the pet’s last grooming session also affects the price. A dog groomed every 4-8 weeks typically requires less work, while a dog groomed every 8-11 weeks generally needs extra attention (such as additional brushing or a deeper clean to remove tangles and mats). For dogs groomed every 12 weeks or more, the groom is often even more labor-intensive. This is especially true for dogs with thick, curly or wavy coats or dogs frequently outside or in water.
For dogs that require additional care due to challenging behavior, a handling fee between $10 and $50 may apply. This fee reflects the specialized handling and time involved in providing a calm and positive experience for a pet needing additional support.
Mobile Cat Grooming Prices
Smoochie Pooch’s mobile cat grooming offers a basic groom at $154 and a complete groom at $198, with pricing unaffected by the breed or size of the cat. For cats needing only a nail trim and sanitary trim, the service is available for $40.
Puppy Mobile Grooming
While a discounted puppy package is offered at Smoochie Pooch salon locations, we do not offer discounted pricing for puppies in our mobile grooming units. However, if you book an adult dog and puppy for the same appointment time slot, the puppy’s grooming price will be reduced to $65. If only a puppy groom is scheduled, the full price of an adult dog (based on their breed and size) will apply.
Dog Grooming Mobile Prices
We don’t list our mobile dog grooming prices on our website because each groom is tailored specifically to your pet and their needs. Below is a list of some common breeds along with a price range to expect for a dog grooming package (basic package or complete package). These prices do not reflect the inclusion of any optional additional grooming services outside a grooming package.
American pit bull terrier: $128 – $176
Aussiedoodle: $168 – $288
Bichon Frise: $130 – $166
Doodle standard: $179 -$307
Golden retriever: $142 – $183
Havanese: $120 – $178
Labrador retriever: $133 – $169
Maltese: $120 – $165
Siberian husky: $137 – $176
Toy poodle: $120 -$172
Yorkshire terrier: $128 – $173
How Much to Tip a Mobile Dog Groomer?
Tipping mobile dog groomers is typically similar to tipping at a traditional salon. While it’s not obligatory, it’s a great way to show appreciation for their dedicated, one-on-one service. A general rule of thumb is 15-20% of the grooming fee, but you may tip more if your pet required extra care or your groomer went above and beyond to provide excellent service.
How Do I Schedule a Mobile Grooming Appointment?
Book online or call us to schedule and ask us any questions you may have. Tell us a little about your pet and let us know what services you’d like. Pick your preferred day and time, and we’ll fit you into our schedule!
Low Cost Pet Grooming
There are ways to keep your grooming costs down so that you can maintain the consistent care that your pet needs.
Regular Grooming Schedule: Keeping your pet on a consistent grooming schedule helps maintain their coat in good condition, making each grooming session quicker and easier, which can lower the overall cost.
At-Home Maintenance: Preventing matting is the key to saving on grooming costs, and regular brushing is the most effective way to achieve this. Brushing helps keep your pet’s coat smooth by preventing tangles and mats. Properly drying your pet after they’ve been in the water also helps avoid matting and keeps their coat in good condition.
Monthly Specials: Smoochie Pooch offers a Deal of the Month every month, with specials ranging from a free tooth brushing to half off a deshed service. Sign up for our emails or follow us on social media to be the first to know when new deals are announced!
Leave a Review: Share your experience with us at Smoochie Pooch salons or mobile grooming on Facebook or Google and receive $5 off your next groom (up to $10 total). We appreciate your feedback!
Cancellation Policy for Mobile Grooming
Our groomers are highly skilled and earn a portion of each pet groom they complete. Because of this, last-minute cancellations significantly impact their income. To respect their time, we have a cancellation policy to charge up to the full visit price for cancellations or reschedules with less than 24 hours’ notice. When you book an appointment, we reserve a specific time just for your pet with one of our groomers. For this reason, we hold your appointment with a credit card and charge that credit card if there is a last-minute cancellation or last-minute reschedule.
Top Qualities of the Best Mobile Pet Grooming Services
Mobile grooming brings the salon to your doorstep, saving time and offering convenience for busy pet owners or those without easy access to transportation. One-on-one attention available with mobile grooming means less stress for pets and a quicker start-to-finish grooming time.
Many cats don’t enjoy car rides, making mobile grooming a great solution to ensure they get regular grooming without the stress. Without exposure to other animals or people, your pet can enjoy a calmer and more relaxed grooming experience.
To learn more about the benefits of mobile pet grooming read here.
Mobile Dog Grooming
Choosing mobile grooming means opting for a premium, personalized service that offers unmatched convenience and comfort for both pets and their owners. While the cost may be higher than salon grooming, the one-on-one attention, minimized stress and time-saving benefits make mobile grooming an ideal choice for many pet owners. Investing in mobile grooming ensures your pet receives attentive care in a familiar setting, all while keeping them looking and feeling their best.
