Raising Grooming Prices in the New Year?

Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

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⚠️ We built a cool free tool for you to try out so stick with us to the end on this one… ⚠️

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Try Teddy’s Free Pricing Evaluation Tool

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Sooo…. The holidays are behind us. (I’ve gained 10lbs and haven’t started my “new year, new me” resolutions) 😂😂

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The calendar flipped.

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And 2025 is officially here.

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Which means it’s time to talk about one of the most powerful levers in your grooming business — and one of the most avoided:

👉 Raising your prices.

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I know.

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It’s uncomfortable.

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It brings up guilt, fear, and the classic:

“What if my clients leave?”

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Talked to hundreds of groomers about this every year so let’s walk through this together.

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1. Why Raising Prices Isn’t Greedy (It’s Responsible)

Raising prices isn’t about being money-hungry.

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It’s about running a sustainable, professional business.

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Here are a few very real reasons a price increase makes sense:

• Your costs have gone up (supplies, rent, utilities… everything) AND IT HAS!

• Inflation keeps quietly eating your margins

• You’re booked out weeks in advance

• Labor costs have increased (or should increase)

• You’ve invested in education, better tools, or higher-end products

• Your local market has moved and you haven’t

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My take:

Stop undervaluing yourself because its easiest just to do nothing.

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What’s that saying…. “closed mouths don’t get fed”.

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Your '“love for animals and what you do” doesn’t pay the bills.

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Skill, time, and professionalism do.

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It’s okay to lose a few clients after a modest increase.

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Most will stay.

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And the new ones who replace them will value your work more.

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2. How Much Should You Raise Prices?

There’s no single right answer — but there are common approaches that work:

• Flat increases: $5–$10 across the board

• Size-based bumps:
  • Small +$15
  • Medium +$20
  • Large +$30

• Percentage-based: 7–11% or ~10% across services

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My take:

Early on, it’s smart to stay within ~$20 of your local market.

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Once demand is consistently high, you earn the right to move into premium positioning.

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And remember… inflation alone justifies something.

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If you haven’t raised prices in the last 1–2 years, you’re falling behind whether you feel it or not.

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3. Supply & Demand Doesn’t Care About Feelings

Here’s a simple rule:

• If you’re booked 6+ weeks out

• Turning away new clients

• Or constantly “squeezing people in”

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Your prices are too low.

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Raising prices may cause a few people to leave and that’s okay.

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You’ll often make the same or more money grooming fewer dogs.

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Key mindset shift:

It is okay to lose clients who don’t value your time.

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Others will happily replace them.

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4. How to Communicate a Price Increase (Without Drama)

This is where most groomers get stuck… not the numbers, but the conversation.

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What works:

Give Advance Notice

Tell clients ahead of time during appointments, via email, or in a newsletter.

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Never surprise someone at checkout.

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Explain the “Why”

Rising costs, better products, continued education… just be honest.

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Clients appreciate transparency.

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Make It Feel Professional

A calm, confident explanation beats over-apologizing every time.

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Add Value Where You Can

Luxury add-ons, bundled packages, upgraded shampoos, nail grinding, teeth cleaning… small upgrades help reinforce the increase.

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Brag a Little

Seminars. Certifications. Experience.

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You earned it!! Talk about it!

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5. Handling Pushback (Because It Will Happen)

A few people will complain.

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Some will leave over $5–$10.

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That’s normal.

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What matters:

• Train your team to confidently explain pricing

• Be kind, but firm

• Don’t negotiate against yourself

• Stand behind your groomers

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My take:

If someone is combative about price, that’s usually a values mismatch not a pricing problem.

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Protect your team’s energy.

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6. Build a System Around Price Increases

The most successful grooming businesses don’t “wing it.”

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They plan.

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Ideas that work:

• Annual reviews (New Year, anniversary, or holidays)

• Grandfathering loyal clients for a set period

• New clients pay new rates immediately

• Clear fees for matting, special handling, or extended time

• Consistency so you’re not making exceptions on the fly

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A system removes emotion — and that’s a good thing.

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7. A Hard Truth (But an Honest One)

I might get some pushback for this, but I’ll say it anyway:

No professional service should cost under $100 if you’re devoting an hour or more of your time… no matter where you’re located.

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Time, skill, risk, and responsibility matter.

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Charge like the professional you are.

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🔍 Want a Quick Reality Check on Your Pricing?

If you’re still thinking:

“Am I actually underpriced?”

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“Am I leaving money on the table?”

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“Or am I about to push it too far?”

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We built a simple pricing tool to help.

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It takes about 30 seconds and looks at:

• Your market

• Demand & waitlist

• Inbound lead volume

• Current pricing

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Then it gives you pricing recommendations based on real-world supply and demand using AI not Facebook opinions or what someone across the country charges.

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Try Teddy’s Free Pricing Tool

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Important:

This isn’t telling you what you must charge.

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It’s a gut check to help you confidently say:

“Yep, this makes sense.”

or

“Okay… I’ve been too cheap.”

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No cost. No login. No setup. No pressure.

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Just clarity.

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If you’ve got questions, want to compare notes, or love how tech / software / AI will impact the grooming industry, reach out anytime.

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Stay warm,

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Alex