24/03/2025
So many people complain about dog grooming prices.
A dog Is a luxury and luxuries are costly.
This was written by Jo Marsden
In response to a lady shaming a business on local social media pages for charging 180 for a 3 hour job
Why Groodle Grooms Cost What They Do To Groom
Grooming a large Groodle can take 2 to 3 hours and that’s if they’re in good condition.
At $60 per hour, that’s actually a very modest rate considering the true costs of running a grooming business.
Just a few of the regular expenses include:
• Rent (from $1,000 to $6000 a month depending on premise type and location)
• Mobile vans and trailers can cost 50k to 130 k then add maintenance and repairs
• Home Based Services still have rent or mortgage plus increased land taxes
• Insurances For Public Liability, Professional Indemnity,personal income and injury, workers Compensation, vehicle or structure, windows/glass etc
• Staff wages (typically $35–$40/hr including super and insurance)
• Power, water, phone, and internet
• Consumables (shampoo, sprays, ear cleaner, etc.)
• Equipment and ongoing maintenance
• Training and professional development of self and or staff.
• Memberships and taxes.
• Marketing and business tools.
This isn’t a hobby or a charity. It’s a professional service.
The truth is, many groomers have stopped taking on large breeds because they are time-consuming, physically demanding, and come with a higher risk of injury, especially when the dogs are untrained or the owners don’t maintain the coat between visits.
The coat of an oodle is complex and high maintenance due to being genetically confused not something that developed naturally over time.
If you want a quality groom from a skilled, compassionate professional - someone who is committed to doing the job properly and safely, you have to expect a fair price.
Otherwise, you’ll end up stuck in a cycle of undertrained, underpaid groomers who are just splashing and dashing for quick money.
Respect the skill. Respect the service. Respect the groomer.
