- Small business ideas
- Ireland
- Wicklow
- Mobile dog grooming
How to start a mobile dog grooming business in Wicklow
Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Wicklow asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.
The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for Ireland: researched US figures converted to euros by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are Ireland's own.
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
From €17,099 to start
Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Grooming trailer or vanA new trailer you tow, or a pre-owned turnkey van | €14,600 |
| Grooming courseA certificate course; skip it if you already groom professionally | €1,800 |
| Clippers and combsOne or two professional clippers and attachment combs | €180 |
| Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company | €0 |
| High-velocity dryerIf your vehicle doesn't come with one | €230 |
| InsuranceFirst year of groomer liability; commercial auto if you drive a van | €280 |
| Booking and billing appScheduling, reminders and invoices for the first three months | €0 |
| Cards and flyersBusiness cards and flyers for vets and neighborhoods | €9 |
| Total | €17,099 |
Once you're running: about €1,300 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.
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.
Typical in Wicklow: €75–€160 per dog, 10–30 dogs a week once established.
Two or three days a week, about 10 dogs
Four to six dogs a day, five days a week
A hired groomer in a second van or trailer
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
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
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
Pick a name that's easy to read on the side of a van. Make sure no one in Wicklow 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 Wicklow
Most owners start as a sole trader with Revenue, and register a business name if they trade under another name; a company with the CRO keeps business debts separate.
- Register as a sole trader: free
- Register your business name: €20
- Form a company: €50
- 5
Get your Tax Reference Number (TRN)
Your business's tax number from Revenue, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Revenue
- Open a business bank account
- 6
Sort out VAT
You must register for VAT once your sales pass €42,500 a year. The rate is 23%.
- Know when to register for VAT
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
- 7
Get your vehicle
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
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
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
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
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
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
What Wicklow asks for
Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.
Register your business name
Filing online on CORE. Paper filing costs more. Register within one month of starting to use the name.
Form a company
Form A1, filed online on CORE. Reserving the name first is optional and costs extra.
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.
Parking and home-business rules
Check where you may park and work, and whether you can keep a grooming vehicle at home.
What to buy first
Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.
3 packages that sell
Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.
Bath and tidy
- Bath and blow-dry
- Brush-out
- Nails and ears
Full groom
- Everything in the bath
- Haircut or breed trim
- Teeth brushing
Nail trim
- Nails trimmed or filed
- Paw pads checked
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.
FreeBefore and after photos
Post every groom, with the owner's permission. Fluffy afters are your best ad.
FreeVets, trainers and walkers
They're asked for groomer tips every week. Leave cards and refer clients back.
PartnershipReviews
Ask every happy owner. New clients pick the groomer with the most recent good reviews.
With PressUp ReviewsRebook before you leave
Book each client's next visit before you leave. A full calendar of regulars is the whole business.
With PressUp bookingsA month from now, you could be open
Set up
- Choose your name
- Register your business
- Get insurance quotes
Get equipped
- Choose a trailer or van
- Buy clippers, combs and a dryer
- Practice on friends' dogs
Go live
- Website with booking
- Google Business Profile
- Set your prices
First clients
- Aim for 15 dogs
- Book every client's next visit
- Ask for reviews
Common questions
Do I need a license to groom dogs in Wicklow?
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
- HomeGuide: Dog grooming prices
- Thumbtack: Dog grooming prices
- Wag'n Tails: Mobile dog grooming prices and mobile groomer survey
- Primp My Pup Mobile Dog Grooming (Greenville, NC): Price list
- Pampered Paws mobile pet grooming (Cleveland area, OH)
- Sunny Days Mobile Grooming (Chandler and Mesa, AZ)
- Smoochie Pooch: Mobile grooming in northwest Indiana
- Wag'n Tails: Pre-owned grooming vans
- Wag'n Tails: Pet Pro groom van
- Mobile Grooming Trailers: How much does a mobile pet grooming trailer cost?
- QC Pet Studies: Dog grooming course tuition
- PetSmart: Andis clippers
- PetSmart: Dog grooming dryers
- PetSmart: Grooming tables
- Insureon: Pet groomer insurance cost
- Pet Care Insurance: Pet groomer insurance
- Time To Pet: Pricing
- GotPrint: Business cards
- HomeGuide: How to become a dog groomer
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Animal care and service workers
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: PACFA licensing
Similar ideas in Wicklow
Dog walking and pet sitting
Walk dogs and look after pets in their own homes while their owners are at work or away.
Dog training
Teach dogs good manners and help owners with puppies, leash pulling and problem behavior.
Mobile car detailing
Clean and protect cars at your customers' homes and offices.
Ready to start your mobile dog grooming business?
Describe it in a sentence. PressUp helps you name it, register it and put it online.