What This Guide Covers
This guide teaches you exactly how to price your grooming services so you make good money without losing customers. We'll cover:
- What Australian groomers actually charge in 2026
- How to set prices based on dog size
- How to add fees for extra work (matted coats, difficult dogs)
- How to create packages that customers love
- When and how to raise your prices
Let's make your pricing work for you.
What Australian Groomers Are Actually Charging in 2026
Here's what groomers across Australia are charging right now:
| Dog Size | Bath & Brush | Full Groom |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 10kg) | $45-65 | $60-85 |
| Medium (10-25kg) | $55-80 | $75-110 |
| Large (25-40kg) | $70-95 | $95-130 |
| Extra Large (40kg+) | $85-120 | $120-160 |
What this means for you:
- Metro areas charge more than regional areas
- Premium salons charge 20-40% above these prices
- Your experience and quality justify higher prices
01. Build Your Pricing Around Dog Size
The simple rule: Bigger dogs take more time. More time means higher prices.
Here's why size-based pricing works so well:
- It's fair. A Great Dane takes 2-3x longer than a Maltese
- Customers understand it. Nobody argues with "bigger dog = more work = higher price"
- It's easy to show. Your booking system shows the right price automatically
Key Takeaway: Set up 4-5 size tiers (XS, S, M, L, XL) with different prices for each. Customers pick their dog's size when booking and see the correct price immediately.
How Petboost Helps
With Petboost's service setup, you create size-based pricing tiers for every service. When customers book through your online booking portal, they only see the price for their dog's size. No confusion, no phone calls.
02. Add Condition-Based Fees
Not every dog arrives in the same condition. A well-maintained Poodle is very different from a matted one.
Standard add-on fees you should charge:
| Condition | Extra Fee |
|---|---|
| Matted coat (light) | +$20-30 |
| Matted coat (severe) | +$40-50 |
| Extra thick/double coat | +$15-30 |
| Difficult behaviour | +$15-25 |
| De-shedding treatment | +$20-40 |
The important part: Tell customers about these fees BEFORE you start. Put them on your website, mention them when they book, and always explain why.
How Petboost Helps
Create add-on services that staff can apply at checkout. The invoice updates automatically. No awkward "surprise" conversations.
03. Create Prepaid Packages for Regulars
This is where smart groomers build steady income.
Prepaid packages are simple: customers pay for multiple grooms upfront and get a discount. They win (savings), you win (guaranteed money).
| Package | Discount | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Grooms | 5-10% off | Trying you out |
| 10 Grooms | 10-15% off | Regular customers |
| 20 Grooms | 15-20% off | Your best customers |
Why packages work:
- Money in your bank NOW (not later)
- Customers are less likely to no-show (they already paid)
- They keep coming back to use their credits
How Petboost Helps
With Petboost packages, customers can buy packages themselves through your customer portal. Credits track automatically. When they book, the system uses their prepaid credits at checkout. Zero spreadsheets.
04. Choose Your Lane: Premium or Volume
You can't be cheap AND premium. Pick one:
Volume Strategy
- Lower prices
- More dogs per day
- Faster turnaround
- Lower profit per dog, more dogs total
Premium Strategy
- Higher prices
- Fewer dogs per day
- More time and care per dog
- Higher profit per dog, fewer dogs total
Our recommendation: Most groomers we work with are happier with premium positioning. You earn more per hour, burn out less, and attract customers who value quality.
05. Raise Your Prices Every Year
Everything costs more every year. Rent, supplies, insurance, wages. If your prices stay the same, you're actually making less.
How to raise prices without losing customers:
- Give 4-6 weeks notice so customers aren't surprised
- Explain why (rising costs, new equipment, training)
- Keep it reasonable (5-10% increase is normal)
- Apply to new bookings (honour existing appointments)
- Pick a good time (new year, your business anniversary)
Reality check: Most customers accept price increases without complaint. The ones who leave over $5 were never your best customers anyway.
The Bottom Line
Pricing isn't complicated. Here's the formula:
- Size-based tiers for your base prices
- Add-on fees for extra work
- Packages to lock in regulars
- Annual increases to keep up with costs
Do these consistently, and you'll build a profitable grooming business that doesn't burn you out.
Ready to Set Up Smart Pricing?
Petboost makes it easy to set up size-based pricing, add-ons, and prepaid packages. Customers book at the right price automatically.
Start your free 14-day trial →
Or learn more about pricing and packages.
