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by MoeGo on Oct 20, 2025 11:28:48 AM
Running a mobile grooming business is rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges. Unlike salon grooming, when you manage a mobile grooming business, you’re also managing routes, travel time, van setup, and weather conditions. The good news? With the right scheduling strategies, you can create smoother days, happier clients, and a more profitable business.
That's why we've partnered with the experts at Paragon School of Pet Grooming to bring you this actionable guide. We're breaking down how to structure your day, price your services, and build in buffer time so you can do what you love and thrive.
Plan for More Than Just Grooming Time
Every stop involves more than the groom itself. You’ll need minutes for parking, preparing equipment, and sometimes connecting to power. Build these steps into your schedule.
Every minute counts. Here’s how to account for it:
- The 10-Minute Rule: Aim to have the pet in your unit within 10 minutes of arrival. This covers parking, prepping your equipment, and getting the pet checked in and into your unit.
- Equipment & Environment: Small things add up. Using shoreline power? Strapping down a special table? Factor in those extra 5-10 minutes per stop.
- Weather-Proof Your Schedule: Humidity stretches drying time. Extreme temps mean extra minutes to heat or cool your van.
- Pro Tip: On a hot day, leave your generator and AC running between appointments to maintain a comfortable temperature and save time.
- Client Communication: Give arrival windows, not exact times. It gives you breathing room for traffic, weather, and the unexpected. Use automated messages to streamline the process even when you are on-the-go.
The bottom line: Build a 15-20 minute buffer into every new appointment. Once you know the client and the location, you can tighten this up. You can set up buffer time directly on the MoeGo App from your phone.
Know Your Worth: How to Value Your Mobile Service
Knowing what to charge is critical. Look beyond just covering the costs. It’s about building a thriving and scalable business.
Price with Confidence
Mobile grooming is a premium service. On average, mobile grooms run about 20–30% higher than salon prices.
- Start with the Baseline: A Recent survey from Wag N Tails shows the average mobile groom costs around $130. Use this as a starting point, but always adjust for your local cost of living.
- Do Your Local Market Research: The best way to set prices? Call other mobile groomers in your area. Ask for quotes for a Shih Tzu, a 40lb Goldendoodle, and a 75lb Labrador. This will show you the local market rate.
- Charge What You're Worth: Mobile grooming is a premium, convenient service. You should be charging 20-30% more than a brick-and-mortar salon. Never be the budget option!
- Justify Premium Pricing: If you have specialized skills (Master Groomer, cat grooming, geriatric pet expertise), your pricing should reflect that.
- Cover Your Overhead: Your rates must cover all costs and still leave you with a good profit. A solid rule of thumb: keep your overhead to one-third of your revenue. Here’s a list of items that could be counted as overhead:
- Van payment, fuel, and maintenance
- Equipment repairs/replacement (dryers, water heaters, etc.)
- Blades, sharpening, shampoos, and products
- Business taxes, insurance, and health insurance
- This "one-third rule" ensures the remaining two-thirds is for your salary, savings, and business growth.
Think in Days, Not Just Per Groom
Invest in the Bath to Save Time Later
A great bathing system is one of the best investments for mobile groomers. A cleaner, well-bathed dog dries faster and makes grooming smoother. You’ll spend less time brushing out coats and more time delivering sharp, professional finishes.
Invest in the Technology to Save Time Later
“Implementing MoeGo into our operations literally changed our lives. The software is seamless, reliable, and has become the backbone of our growth.” — Chris & Emily Elias from DapperTails
It’s tempting to calculate income dog by dog, but what really matters is your daily efficiency. Time lost driving between stops is money lost. To maximize your day:
- Tighten Your Route: Use features like Certain Area by Certain Days to book clients in the same neighborhood when possible.
- Target Multi-Pet Homes: Apartments, condos, and families with more than one dog cut travel time. Use smart filters and automation to send targeted campaigns.
- Save Time and Gas: Use Smart Schedule to automatically plan out the appointment routes that work best for you, so that you take the fastest and shortest directions possible.
A Day in Life
Here’s what a 7-dog day might look like:
- 7:30 AM – Load van & quick equipment check
- 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM – First stop, small dog
- 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Second stop, medium dog
- 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Third stop, two dogs in one household
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Lunch break
- 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM – Fourth stop, small dog
- 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM – Fifth stop, medium coat
- 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM – Sixth stop, small dog
- 6:00 PM – Return home, clean and unload
At an average of $75 per groom, this day brings in $525. With a tighter route or one extra dog, you could bring $600+/day.
Resource for You: The Mobile Grooming Service Time Frame
Download the “Time Frames for Procedures” guides below as a foundation for your service pricing. 👇
Remember to adjust times based on the pet's size, coat condition, and temperament. Efficient time management, combined with expert skills from Paragon and business management tools from MoeGo, is the recipe for a successful and profitable mobile grooming business.
Continue Learning with Paragon
Looking to sharpen your grooming skills or train your team? The Paragon School of Pet Grooming offers flexible, web-based study programs designed to help professionals master the art and science of pet styling.
As part of the MoeGo Community, you can get $100 off enrollment with the code MOEGO100. 👉 Enroll here
Just starting or adding to your business?
We have flexible plans meant for all stages.
A Paragon x MoeGo Guide: Master Your Mobile Grooming Schedule
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