Pets CertificationRepeat customersFlexible hours

How to start a mobile dog grooming business in British Columbia

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what British Columbia asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In Canadian dollars 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for Canada: researched US figures converted to Canadian dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are Canada's own.

To startCA$24k–116kLean to full setup

Per monthCA$6k–18kOnce established

Profit margin55–75%After the vehicle payment, fuel and supplies

First customer2–6 weeksFrom today

DifficultyGrooming skills take months to learn

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you're skilled with dogs and want your own salon on wheels

Mobile grooming brings the salon to the client: one dog at a time, no cages and no car ride. It needs real grooming skill and a well-equipped vehicle, and happy clients book again on a regular schedule.

You'll like it if

You already groom dogs, or want to learn properly
You like calm, one-on-one work with animals
You want to set your own schedule
You're comfortable driving and parking a large vehicle

Think twice if

Lifting heavy dogs and standing all day is hard for you
You want to start next week with no training
You'd rather not take on a large vehicle loan
Wet, hairy work isn't for you

02What it costs

From CA$23,742 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to startCA$23,742

What	Cost
Grooming trailer or vanA new trailer you tow, or a pre-owned turnkey van	CA$20,200
Grooming courseA certificate course; skip it if you already groom professionally	CA$2,500
Clippers and combsOne or two professional clippers and attachment combs	CA$250
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	CA$70
High-velocity dryerIf your vehicle doesn't come with one	CA$320
InsuranceFirst year of groomer liability; commercial auto if you drive a van	CA$390
Booking and billing appScheduling, reminders and invoices for the first three months	CA$0
Cards and flyersBusiness cards and flyers for vets and neighborhoods	CA$12
Total	CA$23,742

Once you're running: about CA$1,800 a month, plus about 10% of what you earn. Vehicle payment, insurance, phone and booking software every month, plus shampoo, fuel and card fees for each dog.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per dog CA$140 CA$50CA$440

Dogs a week 25 140

Monthly costs CA$1,800 CA$0CA$7,200

Typical in British Columbia: CA$100–CA$220 per dog, 10–30 dogs a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Part-timeCA$1.8k–3.6k

Two or three days a week, about 10 dogs

Full-time, on your ownCA$6k–11k

Four to six dogs a day, five days a week

With a second vehicleCA$11k–18k

A hired groomer in a second van or trailer

04Step by step

12 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Learn to groom safely
3–6 months CA$2.5k–4.1k

If you're new, take a grooming course and practice under an experienced groomer. Handling, nail trims and breed cuts all take time to learn.
- A certificate course
- Practice in a salon if you can
- Learn to handle nervous dogs
2
Check the demand near you
2–3 days Free

See how many mobile groomers serve your area, how far ahead they're booked and what they charge.
- Search "mobile dog grooming near me"
- Note 5 groomers and their prices
- Ask local dog owners how long they wait
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Pick a name that's easy to read on the side of a van. Make sure no one in British Columbia already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in British Columbia
1 day to 2 weeks CA$70–CA$350

Most owners start as a sole proprietor and register a business name with their province; incorporating costs more and keeps business debts separate.
- Register a business name: CA$70
- Incorporate in British Columbia: CA$350
5
Get your Business Number (BN)
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from Canada Revenue Agency, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Canada Revenue Agency
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out GST + PST
1–3 days Free

You must register for GST + PST once your sales pass CA$30,000 a year. The rate is 12%.
- Know when to register for GST/HST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get your vehicle
2–12 weeks CA$20k–148k

A trailer costs far less if you already have a vehicle that can tow it. A turnkey van is easier to park and set up. Both need water, power and a tub.
- Trailer or van
- Water and wastewater tanks
- Generator or battery power
8
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability
- Care of pets in your custody
- Commercial auto
- Equipment cover
9
Buy your tools
1 week CA$570–1.1k

Start with a good clipper, combs, shears, brushes and a dryer. Add more blades and specialty tools as your client list grows.
- Clipper and attachment combs
- Shears and brushes
- Dryer, shampoo and towels
10
Set your prices
1 day Free

Price by size and coat, with charges for matting and extra time. Clients who rebook every few weeks get the best rate. See the prices below.
- Bath, full groom and nails
- Size and coat charges
- A rebooking schedule
11
Put your business online
1 day Included

Clients want to see your work, your prices and your next opening. Let them book online so you can groom while the calendar fills.
- Website with before-and-after photos
- Online booking
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
12
Get your first regulars
2–6 weeks Up to CA$240

Your vehicle is a moving billboard. Friends, neighbors, vets and dog groups bring the first clients; book their next visit before you leave.
- Vets, trainers and dog walkers
- Neighborhood groups
- Ask every client for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in BC

What British Columbia asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Register a business name

Registering online, plus the name request every business name needs first.

BC Registries and Online ServicesCA$70once

Incorporate in British Columbia

Filed online. A named company also needs a name request first, for a small fee.

BC Registries and Online ServicesCA$350once

Business Number (BN)

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Canada Revenue AgencyFree

Wastewater disposal

Dirty bathwater can't go down a storm drain. Empty your tank where your area allows, such as a sewer connection or dump station.

Your city or local councilVaries

Parking and home-business rules

Check where you may park and work, and whether you can keep a grooming vehicle at home.

Your city or countyVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Grooming trailerTub, table and power; needs a tow vehicle

CA$20,200–CA$23,800Later

Grooming van, pre-ownedTurnkey and ready to work

CA$106,000–CA$147,800Later

Professional clipperCorded or cordless, detachable blades

CA$210–CA$350Must have

Attachment comb setSnap-on guards for different lengths

CA$40–CA$65Must have

High-velocity dryerProfessional, multi-speed

CA$320–CA$420Must have

Folding grooming tableFor grooming inside clients' homes

CA$80Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Bath and tidy

CA$110 per visit · About 1 hour

Bath and blow-dry
Brush-out
Nails and ears

Full groom

CA$150 per visit · About 1.5–2 hours

Everything in the bath
Haircut or breed trim
Teeth brushing

Nail trim

CA$35 per visit · 15 minutes

Nails trimmed or filed
Paw pads checked

Mobile full groom prices in British ColumbiaTypical: CA$120–CA$220

Average CA$150

CA$0CA$75CA$150CA$220CA$290

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

Owners search "mobile groomer near me". Photos of your vehicle and your work make the profile sell.

Free

Before and after photos

Post every groom, with the owner's permission. Fluffy afters are your best ad.

Free

Vets, trainers and walkers

They're asked for groomer tips every week. Leave cards and refer clients back.

Partnership

Reviews

Ask every happy owner. New clients pick the groomer with the most recent good reviews.

With PressUp Reviews

Rebook before you leave

Book each client's next visit before you leave. A full calendar of regulars is the whole business.

With PressUp bookings

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Choose your name
Register your business
Get insurance quotes

Week 2

Get equipped

Choose a trailer or van
Buy clippers, combs and a dryer
Practice on friends' dogs

Week 3

Go live

Website with booking
Google Business Profile
Set your prices

Week 4

First clients

Aim for 15 dogs
Book every client's next visit
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to groom dogs in British Columbia?

Most states don't license groomers, but a few do. Colorado, for example, licenses mobile groomers. You'll also need to follow local rules for wastewater and parking. Check with your state and city.

Do I need grooming experience first?

Yes, ideally. Most mobile groomers learn in a school or salon first. Safe handling, nail trims and breed cuts take months to learn well.

Should I buy a van or a trailer?

A trailer costs far less if you already have a truck or SUV that can tow it. A van is easier to park and quicker to set up at each stop, but costs much more.

How many dogs can I groom in a day?

Mobile groomers often do four dogs on a light day and around seven on a busy one, depending on size and coat.

Can I start without a vehicle?

Some groomers start in clients' homes with a folding table and portable dryer. Check that your insurance covers it and that clients have a suitable tub.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources