How much should a dog groomer charge?
Real 2026 UK pricing for dog grooming — by size, by service, and by mobile versus salon — plus how to structure a price list that stops you undercharging.
Quick answer
UK full-groom prices in 2026 average around £42 for a small dog, £55 for a medium, £63 for a large and £76 for extra-large. Mobile grooming averages roughly £40 a session, rising to £50–£95 in London where the median sits near £70. Price by size and coat condition, not by time, and add a surcharge for matting rather than absorbing it.
UK dog grooming prices, 2026
| Dog size | Typical full groom | Mobile | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (pug, terrier) | ~£42 | £35–£45 | £50–£70 |
| Medium (cocker, border collie) | ~£55 | £40–£55 | £60–£80 |
| Large (labrador, GSD) | ~£63 | £50–£65 | £70–£90 |
| Extra large (newfoundland) | ~£76 | £60–£80 | £80–£95 |
Step-by-step
- 1
Price by size and coat, not by the hour
Clients understand size-based pricing and it protects you from the double-coated dog that takes twice as long as expected. Set four bands — small, medium, large, extra large — and publish them. Hourly pricing invites haggling and makes you look expensive for exactly the dogs that need the most work.
- 2
Charge properly for matting
A matted dog is a different job: slower, harder on your equipment, and higher risk. Add a clearly stated de-matting surcharge to your price list rather than quietly absorbing it. Publishing it also nudges clients toward more frequent appointments, which is better for the dog and for your diary.
- 3
Set your mobile premium deliberately
Mobile grooming averages around £40 a session nationally, but you're covering fuel, van costs, and travel time between jobs. Work out your genuine cost per mile and per hour of travel, then price so a spread-out day still pays. Many mobile groomers undercharge because they compare themselves to salons without accounting for the van.
- 4
Adjust for where you actually work
London groomers charge 20–40% above national figures, with mobile median near £70. Urban areas generally carry higher rates than rural. Look at what three local competitors publish, then position deliberately — matching the cheapest is a choice, not a default.
- 5
Put the prices on your website
Published prices filter out the clients who were never going to book and stop you fielding the same message forty times a month. They also make raising prices easier later, because the increase is visible and impersonal rather than a negotiation with each client.
Tips & best practices
- ▸Review your prices annually — most groomers leave them unchanged for years while costs rise.
- ▸A published de-matting surcharge does more for your margins than a general price rise.
- ▸Raise prices for new clients first; existing clients follow three to six months later.
- ▸Puppy first-groom sessions at a reduced rate buy you a client for a decade.
Common questions
How much do dog groomers charge in the UK?
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In 2026, a full groom averages around £42 for a small dog, £55 for a medium, £63 for a large and £76 for extra-large. Mobile grooming averages roughly £40 a session nationally, and London runs 20–40% above these figures.
How much should mobile dog grooming cost?
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Around £40 a session on average across the UK, and £50–£95 in London where the median is near £70. Mobile should carry a premium over salon pricing because you're absorbing fuel, van costs, and travel time between appointments.
Should I charge more for matted dogs?
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Yes, and state it on your price list. Matting takes significantly longer, is harder on your blades, and carries more risk. A visible surcharge is fairer than a vague 'prices from' figure and encourages clients to book more regularly.
How do I raise my grooming prices without losing clients?
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Apply the new rate to new clients immediately and give existing clients notice with a date. Most stay — grooming is a relationship and a trusted groomer is hard to replace. The clients who leave over a £5 rise are usually the ones costing you the most.