Raising Grooming Prices in the New Year? Use this! 📈

Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

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Try Teddy’s Free Pricing Evaluation Tool

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

The calendar flipped.

And 2025 is officially here.

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.

I know.

It’s uncomfortable.

It brings up guilt, fear, and the classic:

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

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

Raising prices isn’t about being money-hungry.

It’s about running a sustainable, professional business.

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

My take:

Stop undervaluing yourself because its easiest just to do nothing.

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

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

Skill, time, and professionalism do.

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

Most will stay.

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

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

My take:

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

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

And remember… inflation alone justifies something.

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

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”

Your prices are too low.

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

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

Key mindset shift:

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

Others will happily replace them.

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

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

What works:

Give Advance Notice

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

Never surprise someone at checkout.

Explain the “Why”

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

Clients appreciate transparency.

Make It Feel Professional

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

Add Value Where You Can

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

Brag a Little

Seminars. Certifications. Experience.

You earned it!! Talk about it!

5. Handling Pushback (Because It Will Happen)

A few people will complain.

Some will leave over $5–$10.

That’s normal.

What matters:

• Train your team to confidently explain pricing

• Be kind, but firm

• Don’t negotiate against yourself

• Stand behind your groomers

My take:

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

Protect your team’s energy.

6. Build a System Around Price Increases

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

They plan.

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

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

7. A Hard Truth (But an Honest One)

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

Time, skill, risk, and responsibility matter.

Charge like the professional you are.

🔍 Want a Quick Reality Check on Your Pricing?

If you’re still thinking:

We built a simple pricing tool to help.

It takes about 30 seconds and looks at:

• Your market

• Demand & waitlist

• Inbound lead volume

• Current pricing

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.

Important:

This isn’t telling you what you must charge.

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

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

Just clarity.

Let’s Hear From You 👇

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

Stay warm,

Alex

That’s all folks! Keep calm and groom on 🐶🤘