OVERVIEW
This SOP provides a structured process for creating and testing a grooming business's pricing menu before opening or before making a major pricing change. It addresses the need to define what each service includes, establish starting prices, identify factors that may increase the final price, separate included and optional services, and determine whether pricing is based on breed, size, time, service, or a combination. It also emphasizes that pricing decisions should reflect the business's own expenses, time, service level, and skill rather than simply copying another business's prices.
The guide connects pricing decisions with revenue requirements, break-even planning, appointment time, comfortable daily capacity, and service profitability. It also establishes consistent service descriptions and price-adjustment rules so employees can explain pricing in the same way to clients. Check-in pricing guidance requires businesses to explain starting prices, estimated ranges, and reasonably predictable additional charges before work begins. The SOP further addresses authorization for severe matted-coat shave-downs and the need to modify, stop, refer, or refuse services that cannot be completed safely.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- How to select a primary pricing method based on breed, size/weight, time, service, or a combination.
- How to compare local businesses by both starting price and what each service includes.
- How to calculate required revenue per grooming hour and establish daily and weekly revenue goals.
- How to calculate break-even services and dogs per day.
- How to define service inclusions, exclusions, starting prices, optional services, and price-adjustment factors.
- How to test prices against actual appointment time and revenue per grooming hour.
- How to establish rules for additional charges related to time, labor, products, handling, equipment, cleanup, staffing, and travel.
- How to communicate starting prices and reasonably predictable additional charges during check-in.
- How to document and obtain authorization before beginning a severe matted-pet shave-down.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
A standardized pricing process helps the business maintain consistency in how services, prices, inclusions, and additional charges are documented and explained. Written service descriptions give employees a common service standard, while defined adjustment rules reduce differences in how staff communicate pricing. Revenue, break-even, capacity, and time-based calculations provide a structured way to evaluate whether prices support the work required. Check-in pricing procedures also improve communication by addressing reasonably predictable additional charges before the client leaves, while pricing approval and review dates provide accountability for maintaining the approved menu.
RECOMMENDED FOR
- New salon owners
- New mobile grooming owners
- Existing grooming business owners building or simplifying a price list
- Managers who provide service estimates
- Receptionists who provide service estimates
- Groomers reviewing prices or adding services
- Franchise applicants working within approved pricing rules
IMPLEMENTATION NOTES
Use the guide before opening, when creating the first service menu, when adding services or packages, when expenses or appointment times increase, and during the annual pricing review. Complete the pricing method, revenue, break-even, capacity, service, and price-testing sections using the business's own information rather than the examples provided. Replace example prices with business-approved prices, document service descriptions and adjustment rules, and ensure staff use the same price list and explanations. Use Form 7.06-A and the included worksheets and templates as part of the pricing process, and record the approved pricing method, effective date, next review date, and approval.
