Cost of a Mobile Pet Grooming Unit
Dreaming of a mobile pet grooming business? Whether you’re a seasoned groomer or just starting out, the cost of a mobile unit can be daunting. The demand for mobile grooming services is high, but these units typically range from $25,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars! In my eleven years of mobile grooming, I’ve yet to see a setup-trailer or van-cost less than $25,000. For many aspiring entrepreneurs, this price tag can feel like an insurmountable obstacle.
One Step at a Time
My journey into mobile pet grooming began eleven years ago. Lacking the resources to buy a pre-made grooming trailer, I decided to build my own! Step by step, I created a functional and efficient trailer, launching my mobile grooming business. Eleven years later, I’m proud to say it’s been a great success, and I’ve since built two more trailers.
Creating your own grooming trailer is a surprisingly straightforward process. Let’s explore what you’ll need and how to set it up.
The essential starting point is a wheeled unit of some kind. Whether it’s a trailer, a van, or even a repurposed vehicle, if it has wheels and enough enclosed space for your equipment and workspace, it has the potential to become a grooming trailer!
Grooming Trailers
Finding Something to Make Into a Mobile Grooming Trailer
I have converted both camping trailers and a utility trailer into mobile grooming trailers. I prefer converting camping trailers rather than utility trailers simply because the camping trailers already have the plumbing installed and the majority of the wiring.
Scan your local want ads, and online market places, and you will be able to find a camping trailer for a reasonable price. Give yourself plenty of time to search for one and you will find it.
You Need a Source to Power Your Grooming Trailer
Whether you choose to convert a camping trailer or a utility trailer, you will need a source for power. Your lights, water pump, clippers, heater, etc., all need a source of power.
You have several options here to choose from.
Power Source
| Type of Power Source | Pro’s | Con’s |
|---|---|---|
| Generator (1500 or more power) | Provides enough power to run all your equipment plus heater or a/c no problem. | Most are loud and frighten your clients dog or cat. They come with a large price tag. They can be fickle and if they break down you can’t work. |
| Solar | No noise to scare pets. Constant power if installed correctly. | Price tag comparable to generator if not more. You may need to hire someone to install it. Easily stolen from your unit. |
| Plug into client’s power source | You don’t have to worry about power, you just need an extension cord or two. It’s quiet. It’s free for you. | Your equipment can/will blow their fuse and some homeowners have no idea how to reset the breaker when it’s tripped, leaving you without power to finish the job. Some homeowners don’t appreciate you plugging into their home. You may not be able to reach their outlet with your cords. |
I went for a combination of generator and solar. I really enjoyed the constant power solar provided and it was quiet. But someone took all of the solar panels off the trailer so I had to turn to plugging into my clients.
Utility Trailer And Camping Trailer Parts List
| Utility Trailer Conversion Parts List | Camping Trailer Conversion Parts List |
|---|---|
| Water pump | Check existing water pump in camping trailer. If it’s working fine then keep it. If you need to buy one look for at least 4.5 GPM. Anything less will not be able to penetrate thick coats. |
| Water containers (fresh & grey water) | Check existing fresh and grey water tanks in camping trailer. If they are not leaking then you’re all good! This link goes to various designs for water tanks. |
| Large tub for bathing. | Large tub for bathing. When shopping for tubs do not use the phrase “Grooming tub”. You will pay a lot more for a tub if you use that phrase. The link takes you to the exact tub I use. A good search term is “Garage sink”. |
| Grooming table. | Check if a table or bed can be converted into the grooming table. I had a hydraulic table for a while. One day it didn’t want to work and was stuck in fully extended mode. I’m back to a regular fixed leg table. |
| High speed blow dryer. | High speed blow dryer. I’ve had the “Flying Pig” brand but it didn’t hold up. I’ve had a generic brand this link leads to for four years! |
| Water heater. | Check if the water heater in the camping trailer is working. There’s no need for a new one if it’s working fine! The portable propane heater is my favorite. Make sure you mount it solid, they are delicate. |
| Some sort of storage cabinet or box. | There is probably plenty of storage area already in a camping trailer! |
Order Your Mobile Grooming Trailer Essentials
1. The water pump is the heart of your mobile grooming business. If you’re converting a camping trailer you may not need to order a water pump if the one in the camping trailer is working. If it’s not working well order a new one. If you’re converting a utility trailer you will definitely need to order a water pump.
2. Two water containers at least thirty gallons each. Here, again, a camping trailer will already have water containers so you probably won’t need to order this item. A utility trailer will definitely need water containers. I went with fifty gallon containers. One fresh water container and one grey water container.
3. A large bathing tub. The kitchen sink in a camping trailer cannot accommodate large dogs. Utility trailer or camping trailer you need to order a large tub. I use a “garage” tub. They are very large, made of a sturdy plastic, and the price is reasonable. Those big stainless steel tubs will drain your budget with the lowest price I could find of one thousand dollars!
4. A grooming table. Grooming tables have many different features you can choose. These features will affect how much you pay. When I converted the camping trailers I turned the dinner table/bed area into a grooming table! I didn’t have to order a grooming table until I converted a utility trailer.
5. Both a utility trailer and a camping trailer conversion will need need a professional pet grooming blow dryer. A standard hair dryer won’t suffice. A professional pet dryer is not very expensive. You can get one for under three hundred dollars.
6. A water heater with hose attachment. (Most water heaters come with the hose attachment). If the water heater is working fine in your camping trailer then there’s no need to replace it.
7. A utility trailer will need some sort of storage unit. Either drawers or a cabinet for storing towels, spare shampoo, cleaning products, etc. If you’re converting a camping trailer you already have plenty of storage cabinets built in!
Grooming Trailer Equipment Arrives
Prep Your Trailer
Prep Your Utility Trailer vs Prep Your Camping Trailer
Utility Trailer Conversion
If you go with a utility trailer conversion preparing it before equipment installation will include sealing the floor. The floor of utility trailers are usually made of plywood. You want to protect the wood from the inevitable gallons of water that are going to land on it over time. I used Valspar with a grit so it wouldn’t be a slippery surface when complete. I ran the Valspar up the wall about five to six inches to protect the lower wall from splashes as well as water pooling.
Use a thin polyurethane paneling to protect the walls. You can cover the ceiling as well but that isn’t as important as covering the walls.
Camping Trailer Conversion
The camping trailer conversion takes a big step that the utility trailer conversion does not, and that is, gut it! Decide what parts you want to leave such as cabinetry and which parts need to be removed like the stove, oven, sink, stove vent, bed, dinner table, etc. Take a crow bar, a cordless drill, and a hammer and tear it all out. If there is carpet you’ll want to pull that out as well. Carpet is not a groomers friend.
The floor of the camping trailer will already have a protective product on the wood floor to protect it from water. You can add another sealing product or cover it with linoleum if not already covered.
Now your utility trailer or camping trailer are ready for your grooming equipment to be installed!
Finished Mobile Grooming Trailer
Install Your Equipment!
Once you’ve sealed the floor and allowed it to dry as recommended by the manufacturer you’re ready to install your equipment!
In your utility trailer decide where you want to install the water pump, water heater, tub, grooming table and power source.
If you’re converting a camping trailer this decision is already made for you for the most part. If you really want the tub in a specific spot that is not where the original sink and plumbing are, you can always reroute the plumbing to accommodate your wants/needs.
I always placed my power source in the bed of my truck (generator) with an extension cord routed into the grooming trailer. This maximized the trailer floor space for grooming.
When I went solar the panels were on the roof of the trailer with a small charge controller and inverter inside on the wall.
The base of your grooming trailer is now ready for your equipment. Any item you install be sure to secure it well either to the floor or the wall.
Route extension cords and power plugs well above the floor. Remember that water will be on the floor often! Keep your power out of the water!!
You’re ready to roll out in your mobile grooming trailer! Good Luck!