Mobile Dog Grooming Start-up Costs

With two-thirds of pet owners aware that regular grooming contributes to a healthier, happier dog, it’s no wonder that the dog grooming business is booming!

Starting a mobile dog grooming business involves considering the logistical start-up costs. Having a budget and being aware of what the initial financial situation will be is the key to growing your mobile dog grooming business successfully.

What are start-up costs?

Start-up costs refer to the initial costs of starting a business. These will usually be a mixture of recurring and one-time expenses. For example, a one-time expense for a mobile dog groomer could be the vehicle they’re using to get around and groom the dogs in, whereas recurring expenses would be things like grooming supplies and fuel.

These start-up costs are usually incurred before the business has started making a profit. Business owners often turn to their personal savings, family and friends, investors, grants, or crowdfunding to get their business started with the hope they will turn a profit later. 

7 mobile dog grooming start-up costs.

Mobile dog grooming start-up costs include 7 key considerations. 

1. Training.

Getting the appropriate training and training for any staff you plan to take on the road with you is one big element of starting a mobile pet grooming business. Depending on the area you’re in, there are many facilities that offer training and certifications.

While any mobile pet grooming business can technically call itself that, it’s always best to be trained and certified. This is mainly because grooming can go wrong easily (and can even be dangerous for the dog), but also so that you stand out above the competition who may not have the same certifications. 

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2. Vehicle, fuel, and maintenance.

The main piece of equipment that will likely come at a huge cost is the vehicle you use. Any mobile pet grooming business needs a vehicle large enough to contain all of their equipment, but also with ample space to groom the dogs. Some potential vehicles that a mobile pet grooming business might use include:

• A mobile grooming van
• A mobile grooming cargo truck
• A mobile grooming RV

Once you have the vehicle, whether you’ve chosen to finance or purchase it outright, you’ll also need to consider the fuel and maintenance. Large vehicles like that rarely run on electricity, so consider gas costs as well as maintenance.

It’s also wise to have funds put away for any emergency that may happen with your mobile grooming van. While you’ll hopefully never have a breakdown on the road, it does happen.

3. Grooming equipment.

A mobile pet grooming business needs equipment and supplies, such as:

• A grooming table
• A pet bathing system
• Clippers and trimmers
• Shears
• A blow dryer
• Brushes and combs
• Nail trimmers and grinders
• Ear cleaning supplies
• Teeth cleaning supplies
• Gentle restraints
• Shampoo and conditioner

While this can be a lot of incurred expenses, looking at a wholesale supplier is always a good idea. Wholesale suppliers connect brands and businesses so you can buy supplies in bulk for a much cheaper price than purchasing through a pet store or typical consumer website.
These supplies can get a little more expensive if you plan to groom large dogs or dogs with specific skin conditions. Some mobile groomers will only take dogs of a certain size, temperament, or health status, whereas other groomers specialize in more challenging dogs to groom. 

4. Licensing and permits.

A mobile pet grooming business will likely need licensing and permits. While the specifics depend on your area, this includes, but isn’t necessarily limited to, the following:

Business license.

A business license is the first thing you’ll need to operate your mobile pet grooming business legally. You can obtain one from the local city or county government (depending on where you’re located). You might also need to present a business plan.

Animal control permit.

Some areas require you to get an animal control permit to ensure you’re complying with local regulations about handling animals with care. You should double-check if you need this with local authorities.

Health department permit.

Depending on the area, you may also need a health department permit to operate your mobile pet grooming business. This ensures compliance with local health and safety standards and usually comes from the local health department.

Commercial vehicle registration.

Since you’re conducting business in your vehicle, you’ll also need to register it as a commercial vehicle with the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency in your area. 

Business insurance.

Business insurance is also key to protecting your mobile pet grooming business from any losses that come from accidents or lawsuits. While your business will hopefully never suffer from those, it’s important to have it just in case.

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5. Staffing and contractors.

Your mobile pet grooming business might just be you, but if you plan to hire others to help, you need to factor in staffing costs. Some people choose to have another groomer on board, someone on call if something should make you unavailable at short notice, or administrative staff/an assistant to help out with the animals and the behind-the-scenes paperwork. 

While a larger mobile pet grooming business may have W-2 staff, more often than not, people are contracted to come in and help out. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the difference between hiring staff and working with a contractor, as the IRS has specific rules on these and the different costs associated. 

6. Marketing and advertising.

Marketing and advertising are important to the success of your mobile pet grooming business. While word of mouth is a valuable tool and you should encourage referrals, dedicating a portion of your budget to advertising will give your business the boost it needs to be successful.

One component of marketing and advertising is a content strategy using search engine optimization (SEO). This is a type of strategizing that gets your website seen on Google by applying their best practices, namely:

• Keeping the website interface clean and user-friendly with short loading times.
• Having a clear navigational map and interlinking between service pages and blog posts.
• Making sure all information on the website is up to date.
• Using relevant keywords to attract the right audience.
• Connecting your website to your Google My Business profile and making sure your name and telephone number are correct in both places.

While the cost of setting up a website is relatively low ($100-200/year), if you’re not computer savvy, you can hire a web developer to create your website for you.

For a lower cost marketing plan, you can use social media. Creating a Facebook, Instagram, and/or TikTok account can boost your social media presence and draw in users to your business. Use relevant hashtags and trending audio to make short videos and posts so that local potential clients can find your mobile grooming business. 

Lastly, consider a referral program. Word-of-mouth marketing is significantly sped up when there’s an incentive behind it. Offer a discount to those who refer their friends to you—studies show that referred customers have a 16% higher lifetime value than non-referred, as people tend to trust their friends and family (even when they’ve been incentivized). 

Be sure to consider how much discount you can offer as this cost is typically taken out of your profits.

7. Management software.

Running a mobile grooming business can be overwhelming but there’s plenty of management software out there to help. This can also cut down on staffing costs.

When choosing management software for your own dog grooming business, consider what you need from it. Potential things you might look for include: 

• The ability to take appointments, deposits, and payments
• The ability to send emails or SMS messages to ask for a review
• The ability to sell products, if you choose to sell your own grooming products
• Financial tracking

Having a successful dog grooming business is contingent on getting the best help possible, and that doesn’t always have to be human help. 

PetExec offers all of the above features and more! Try a free demo of our software which specializes in pet businesses such as mobile pet grooming, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Are mobile dog grooming businesses profitable?

A dog grooming business is entering a competitive market. Over 65 million households in the US own a dog, so there’s plenty of demand but also plenty of supply.

A dog grooming business can be profitable, but it involves being strategic. Set up a business plan in advance, account for all of the start-up costs, and keep track of what you’re spending.

As long as you do your due diligence, there’s no reason your business won’t be profitable, but you must account for the start-up costs first and have reasonable expectations for the first year or so. Many businesses spend the first short part of their lifetime recouping what they’ve already spent before they start turning a profit. 

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Business start-up costs template.

Using a free business start-up costs template will benefit you in keeping track of start-up costs and being able to adjust anything that changes. Fill out the template and keep it easily accessible so you can make edits where needed and keep yourself on track. 

Start-up costs tax deduction.

Can you deduct start-up costs with no income? The answer is yes, absolutely. Whether or not you have income when starting your business, the same IRS rules apply.

The IRS permits businesses to deduct up to $5,000 in start-up expenses during their initial year of operation. Any start-up costs exceeding this $5,000 threshold must be amortized over a 15-year period. 

If your start-up costs for a mobile pet grooming business exceed $50,000, the $5,000 deduction will be reduced by the amount that surpasses $50,000. For instance, if your costs total $52,500, your immediate deduction will be lowered to $2,500.

If you find tax rules confusing, it’s best to consult a professional tax advisor who’ll be able to work this out for you and get the most out of potential deductions. 

Final thoughts.

Mobile pet grooming services are a potentially lucrative business, but it involves being aware of start-up costs and planning ahead.

As you begin to get your business plan up and running, consider PetExec’s software. We’ve been working with pet businesses for years and can handle many automated operations such as appointments, payments, and customer service, taking some of the stress out of owning a business.

Check out a PetExec free demo today! 

Commonly asked questions.

How do you start a dog grooming business?

To start a dog grooming business, you should get together a business and marketing plan, make sure you have the right permits and licensing, and get enough money together for your start-up costs. 

How do you grow a dog grooming business?

Growing a dog grooming business is done by having a consistent marketing strategy, retaining clients while attracting new ones, and having a good reputation in your local area. Examine your involvement in the local community and the feedback you’re getting from clients to really grow your services. 

What is the best software for a pet grooming business?

The best software for a pet grooming business is one that can handle pet profiles, appointment reminders, client scheduling, taxes, marketing, and employee management. PetExec has experience with a wide range of pet businesses and we’ve been working on our software for years to make sure it’s tailored to this industry. 

How can you upsell at a dog grooming business?

To make more of a profit, ensure a successful business, and upsell, you can offer additional products and services such as dog food and treats, grooming products and packages, photography, and skin condition-specific grooming.