Home-based dog groomers are notorious at under-charging and then running themselves into the ground in order to make up the difference and to try and make their business financially viable. This is why I am passionate about encouraging people to charge their worth. You are not just giving a dog a bath. You are in charge of their skin and coats health and welfare. You went to school to train. It takes a lot of technical skill and talent, not to mind the care that goes into caring for every dog on your table.

You deserve to be paid for the service you provide. So let me ask you...

Have you ever looked at your grooming prices and wondered if you're charging enough?

Maybe you've been thinking about putting your prices up for months, but every time you consider it, that little voice in your head starts whispering…

“What if my customers think I'm too expensive?”

“What if they leave and go somewhere cheaper?”

“Sure, everyone is struggling with the cost of living. I can't possibly charge more!”

Or perhaps you've been charging the same prices since you first opened your doors, even though the cost of running your business seems to creep up a little more every year. I would like to take this moment to remind you that we are currently in a cost of living crisis. Which means the money you earn now is worth less than it was worth this time last year.

If any of this sounds familiar, take a deep breath, grab yourself a cuppa, and let's have a chat.

Because here's something I really want you to remember: you are allowed to run a business that looks after you, too.

You didn't start your home-based dog grooming business to spend your days working incredibly hard, worrying about money, and wondering how you'll make everything add up at the end of the month.

You started it because you love dogs. You wanted to build something of your own, enjoy a little more freedom, and create a business that fits around the life you want to live.

But for that dream to become a reality, your business needs to make money.

And that means charging prices that reflect the work you do, the costs you carry, and the value you bring to your customers.

So, let's talk about how to know when it's time to put your prices up, and how to do it with confidence.

1. First Things First: You're Running a Business, Not a Charity

Let's start with a little reminder.

Being passionate about dogs is wonderful. Caring about your customers and wanting to make professional grooming accessible is lovely. And building relationships with the people who trust you with their precious pups is one of the best parts of running your business.

But being kind doesn't mean you have to undercharge.

Your customers aren't just paying for the time their dog spends on your grooming table. They're paying for your experience, your skills, your equipment, your products, your time, and the care and attention you give their dog.

They're paying for the knowledge you've gained, the problems you know how to handle, and the professional service you provide.

And behind every appointment, there's a business to maintain.

There's shampoo and conditioner to buy, equipment to clean and replace, electricity and water to pay for, insurance, laundry, booking systems, ongoing training, and all those little expenses that seem to add up when you're not looking.

And let's not forget the hours you spend answering messages, managing appointments, ordering supplies, cleaning your salon, and keeping everything running smoothly.

Not every minute of your working day is spent grooming a dog, but all those other tasks are still part of your job.

Your prices need to support the whole business, not just the time spent grooming.

If you're working hard, providing a lovely service, and still struggling to pay yourself properly, it's time to take a closer look at your numbers.

2. Five Signs It Might Be Time to Put Your Prices Up

Sometimes, we know deep down that our prices need reviewing, but we keep putting it off.

If you're wondering whether it's time for a change, here are five signs to look out for.

Sign No. 1: Your Running Costs Have Increased

This is bound to be true for everyone right now. Energy costs alone have sky rocketed - Think clippers, dryer, lighting, heat.

Think back to when you first started your business.

What were you paying for your grooming products? Your electricity? Your insurance? Your equipment?

Now compare those costs with what you're paying today.

If your expenses have increased but your prices haven't changed, your profit margins may have quietly shrunk.

And here's the tricky part: you could be busier than ever and still be taking home less money than you'd like.

A full grooming diary doesn't automatically mean a profitable business.

Take some time to review your regular expenses and see how much it actually costs to keep your business running.

You might discover that a price increase isn't about making extra money at all. It's about keeping your business financially healthy.

Sign No. 2: You're Busy, But You're Not Earning Enough

Are you fully booked most weeks, yet still wondering where all the money has gone?

Do you finish a long day feeling exhausted, only to realise that your earnings don't reflect the effort you've put in?

This is worth paying attention to.

Of course, there are many reasons why your income might feel lower than expected, so it's important to review your expenses, working hours, and booking patterns, too.

But if you're consistently working hard and your prices aren't allowing you to pay yourself fairly, something needs to change.

You don't need to fill every available appointment slot to prove that your business is successful.

Sometimes, a smaller number of properly priced appointments can support a healthier business than a packed diary full of underpriced work.

Imagine finishing your working day feeling proud of what you've earned, rather than wondering how you'll squeeze another dog into tomorrow's schedule.

Now, wouldn't that feel lovely?

Sign No. 3: You've Gained Experience and Improved Your Skills

When you first opened your doors, you might have been nervous about almost everything.

Perhaps you were still finding your feet, building your confidence, and learning how to manage your appointments efficiently.

And that's perfectly normal!

But think about how far you've come since then.

You've gained hands-on experience. You've developed your handling skills. You've learned to work more efficiently, manage different coat types, communicate with customers, and deal with situations that once felt daunting.

You're not the same business owner you were on day one.

Your prices don't necessarily need to stay the same, either.

As your experience and service develop, it's reasonable to review whether your pricing still reflects the level of service you're providing.

You don't need to wait until you've been grooming for ten years or until you've invested in another qualification.

Your prices should reflect the business you're running today, not the beginner business you started with.

Sign No. 4: You're Constantly Rushing to Fit Everything In

This one is particularly important.

If you're regularly running behind, skipping breaks, rushing through appointments, or feeling as though there's never enough time in the day, it's worth looking at your pricing and your schedule together.

Are your prices so low that you feel you need to groom more dogs to make ends meet?

Are you accepting appointments that don't leave enough time to provide your usual standard of service comfortably?

Could your business benefit from fewer appointments at more sustainable prices?

Of course, raising your prices won't solve every scheduling problem. You may also need to adjust your appointment lengths, boundaries, or working hours.

But when your pricing supports your business properly, you can make decisions based on what works for you, your customers, and the dogs in your care.

You can allow yourself enough time to do a lovely job without feeling pressured to rush on to the next appointment.

And remember, your own wellbeing matters, too.

A business that depends on you being exhausted every single day isn't giving you the freedom you set out to create.

Sign No. 5: You've Been Putting It Off Because You're Afraid

Ah, this is the big one!

You know your prices probably need reviewing. You've done the sums. You've noticed your expenses increasing.

But you keep telling yourself you'll do it next month.

Why?

Because you're worried about what your customers might say.

Perhaps you imagine them questioning the increase, complaining, or taking their dogs elsewhere.

It's understandable. When you've built lovely relationships with your customers, the thought of disappointing them can feel uncomfortable.

But here's something to consider.

Fear isn't always a sign that you're making the wrong decision. Sometimes, it simply means you're doing something new.

You can care deeply about your customers while still making sensible decisions for your business.

You can be fair, transparent, and considerate without keeping your prices artificially low.

And you don't need to apologise for wanting your business to support you financially.

*I would like to add as a sidenote here - Low prices mean you have less control over your business. You have to take clients that you would rather not because you need the money. You don't have time to spend ON your business, growing it because you are stuck doing every dog you can just make ends meet. It leaves you exhausted, sick or in pain and resentful of your business. It will also slowly creep into your life. You're going to have to miss things and you will have to do appointments you don't really want to just because you need the money. Is that the dream business you were hoping to build?

3. Let's Talk Numbers: Are Your Prices Actually Working for You?

Before you change anything, it's worth sitting down with a notebook, a calculator, and a nice cup of tea.

We're taking the guesswork out of pricing!

Start by reviewing the following:

• Your business expenses: Include products, utilities, insurance, equipment, laundry, maintenance, software, and other running costs.

• Your working hours: Count your grooming time, cleaning, admin, customer messages, and other business tasks.

• Your income: Look at what your business brings in and how much remains after expenses.

• Your own pay: Decide what you need your business to contribute towards your personal income and household finances.

• Your capacity: Work out how many dogs you can comfortably groom while maintaining your standards and looking after yourself.

Don't forget to account for taxes and other financial obligations when working out what your business needs to earn.

Let's use a simple example.

Imagine you currently charge €45 for a particular grooming appointment.

If you groom four dogs at that price, your total daily sales would be €180.

Now imagine you increase that appointment price to €50.

Four dogs would bring in €200 in sales.

That's an additional €20 per day before expenses, tax, and any other adjustments.

If you worked 20 similar grooming days in a month, that could mean an additional €400 in monthly sales, assuming you maintained the same number of appointments.

That's money that could help cover rising costs, contribute towards your pay, or give your business a little more breathing room.

And no, this doesn't mean every groomer should charge €50. Your own prices need to reflect your costs, local market, services, experience, and the time each appointment takes.

The important thing is to understand your own numbers rather than choosing a price simply because another groomer charges it.

Your prices should be based on what makes sense for your business.

4. Stop Comparing Your Prices to Everyone Else's

It's so easy to look at another groomer's prices and think, “I'm charging too much!” Or, just as easily, “Sure, I couldn't possibly charge what they're charging!”

But here's the thing.

You don't know their full business situation.

They might have different running costs, a different salon setup, different working hours, a different level of experience, or a completely different service offering.

One groomer might work from a dedicated commercial salon, while another runs a small home-based business.

One might offer specialist services, while another focuses on a particular local market.

Their prices are useful information, but they aren't a pricing strategy for your business.

By all means, research other groomers in your area. Understand the local market and what customers expect.

But don't let someone else's prices decide what your business should charge.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Am I covering my business expenses?

• Am I paying myself fairly for my time and work?

• Are my prices appropriate for the service I provide?

• Can I maintain these prices without constantly feeling under pressure?

• Does my pricing support the kind of business and lifestyle I want to build?

Those are much more useful questions to answer.

5. What If Your Customers Leave When You Put Your Prices Up?

Let's address the worry that might be holding you back the most.

What if your customers aren't happy?

The truth is, some customers may decide that a new price no longer suits their budget. It's possible, and it's better to acknowledge that than pretend every customer will welcome an increase.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

Many customers value far more than the cheapest price. They value reliability, convenience, kindness, consistency, and knowing that their dog is in safe, caring hands.

They've chosen you for a reason.

You've built trust. You've learned about their dogs. You've created a familiar experience for both pets and owners.

Those things matter.

Of course, you still need to provide a service that justifies your prices. A price increase should be supported by a clear understanding of your costs, your service, and your business goals.

And if a customer does decide to go elsewhere, try not to take it as a personal rejection.

Your job isn't to be the cheapest groomer in town.

Your job is to build a sustainable business that serves your customers well and allows you to earn a living.

You can be disappointed if someone leaves, but you don't need to let that fear dictate every business decision you make.

*Honestly you don't want people to stay with you just because you are cheap. They are not ideal clients. Ideal clients are the ones that value YOU. People who care about their dogs, care about who takes care of them. If they trust and value you then they are not going anywhere because you upped your prices.

6. Remember: Your Business Is Supposed to Support Your Life

Let's come back to why you started your home-based dog grooming business in the first place.

Maybe you wanted to spend more time with your family.

Maybe you dreamed of leaving a job that wasn't making you happy.

Perhaps you wanted to work with dogs every day, create your own schedule, or build an income around your life rather than fitting your life around somebody else's timetable.

Whatever your reason, I want you to keep it in mind.

Because if you're constantly working long hours, worrying about money, and feeling guilty every time you think about charging more, it might be time to rethink how your business is operating.

You deserve to earn a fair income for the work you do.

You deserve to take breaks without feeling that every minute away from the grooming table is costing you money.

You deserve to invest in good equipment, keep your business running smoothly, and make plans for the future.

And you deserve to enjoy the business you've worked so hard to build.

That doesn't mean charging whatever you like without considering your customers or your market. It means taking your finances seriously and making informed decisions that support both your business and the people who rely on it.

You can be a caring dog groomer and a confident business owner.

You can provide a wonderful service and make a healthy profit.

And you can love what you do without sacrificing your own wellbeing to keep everyone else happy.

Those things can absolutely go hand in hand.

8. Your Little Price Review Challenge

If you've been putting off reviewing your prices, here's your gentle nudge to get started.

You don't have to change everything overnight. Just set aside a little time this week to look at where your business stands.

Here's your simple checklist:

• Review your current grooming prices.

• Add up your regular business expenses.

• Look at how much you're earning compared with the hours you're working.

• Calculate how much your business needs to earn to cover expenses and pay you fairly.

• Review your services and identify any that may be underpriced.

• Research your local market without simply copying another groomer's prices.

• Decide whether an increase is needed and when it could take effect.

• If you're increasing your prices, prepare a clear and friendly message for your customers.

And once you've done that? Give yourself a little pat on the back.

You're not being greedy. You're being a business owner.

You're taking responsibility for the future of something you've worked hard to create.

And that is something to be proud of.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Charge Your Worth

If there's one thing I want you to take away from today's chat, it's this:

You don't have to choose between being a lovely, caring dog groomer and running a profitable business.

You can be both.

You can love your customers, adore their dogs, and go the extra mile to make every appointment special.

But you also need to look after your own needs, protect your time, and make sure your prices allow your business to thrive.

So, if your prices haven't changed in years, your costs have increased, or you're working harder than ever without seeing the income you'd hoped for, perhaps it's time to sit down and take a proper look.

Don't let fear make the decision for you.

Get your numbers in front of you, work out what your business needs, and take the next step with confidence.

Because your dream business shouldn't just be wonderful for the dogs and their owners.

It should be wonderful for you, too.

And you deserve nothing less.