How to Set Prices for Your Dog Waste Removal Business (Full Guide)

Setting the right price for your dog waste removal business can be the difference between struggling to cover costs and running a highly profitable company. The right pricing strategy allows you to:

  • Hire employees so you can scale your business
  • Spend freely on marketing to attract new clients
  • Make consistent profits while positioning your brand as the premium choice in your market

Let’s break down how to set prices for your dog waste removal service, covering key factors like pricing models, competitor research, customer psychology, and profit margins.

1. Understanding Pricing Models

There are three common pricing models used in the pet waste industry:

  1. Flat Rate Pricing – One price for all clients, regardless of dog count or yard size.
  2. Per Dog Pricing – A base price with an added fee for each additional dog.
  3. Subscription-Based Pricing – Monthly packages with different service levels (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly scooping).

Which One Works Best?

Most successful businesses (including Swoop Scoop) use a per dog pricing model with recurring subscriptions. This ensures you are compensated for additional work, keeping profits sustainable as you scale.

2. Competitor Pricing Research

To determine your pricing, it’s a good idea to analyze what competitors are charging in your market. You can:

  • Check their websites for listed prices.
  • Call and ask for a quote as a potential customer.
  • Look at local Google reviews (clients sometimes mention pricing in feedback).

🚨 Pro Tip: If competitors have lower prices, don’t assume you should match them. The goal is to price for profitability, not to be the cheapest.

3. Setting Your Rates

Here’s a simple framework for setting profitable pricing:

Step 1: Define Your Base Price

Start by determining a weekly rate for one dog. For example, many companies set this at $100 per month for weekly service.

Step 2: Adjust Based on Frequency

  • Twice-a-week cleanings: Multiply weekly price by 2, then apply a 10% discount.
  • Bi-weekly cleanings: Multiply weekly price by 75%.
  • Monthly cleanings: Multiply weekly price by 56%.

Step 3: Charge Per Additional Dog

A good rule of thumb is to charge $10 extra per dog. So if your base price is $100, pricing might look like this:

DogsWeeklyBi-WeeklyMonthly
1 Dog$100$75$56
2 Dogs$110$83$62
3 Dogs$120$90$67
4 Dogs$130$97$72

4. Avoiding Common Pricing Mistakes

💰 Mistake #1: Underpricing Your Services Many new business owners undervalue their time and set rates too low, making it impossible to cover costs. If you can’t afford marketing or employees, you’re priced too low.

💰 Mistake #2: Offering Discounts Too Soon Offering low intro rates to attract customers might seem smart, but clients get used to those discounts and resist paying the full price later.

💰 Mistake #3: Charging the Same Price for All Clients Yards with multiple dogs take longer to clean, so always increase pricing based on dog count.

5. Using Pricing Psychology to Increase Conversions

🔹 Display Weekly Prices – Instead of showing a $100 monthly cost, display it as $23 per week to make it feel more affordable.

🔹 Bundle Additional Services – Offer an upgrade that includes odor control, sanitization, and haul-away for a premium price.

🔹 Use “Good, Better, Best” Pricing – Create tiered plans (Basic, Standard, Premium) so clients are more likely to choose a higher-priced package.

🚨 Example:

  • Basic: Weekly poop scooping – $23 per week
  • Standard: Weekly scooping + odor control – $27 per week
  • Premium: Weekly scooping, odor control & haul-away – $32 per week

Most customers avoid the cheapest option and pick the middle or high-tier plan.

6. How to Handle Initial & One-Time Cleanups

There are two types of deep cleanings in this business:

  1. Initial Cleanups – When a new client signs up for recurring service.
  2. One-Time Cleanups – A single, non-recurring service.

📌 Pricing Approach:

  • Flat Rate: Charge a standard fee based on estimated labor time.
  • Hourly Rate: Example – $50 for 30 minutes, plus $1 per extra minute.
  • By Volume: Avoid bucket pricing, as waste varies in size and weight.

🚨 Pro Tip: Offer FREE initial cleanups for new subscribers. It increases signups, and you recoup costs through monthly subscriptions.

7. Automating Pricing with a CRM

To save time and reduce admin work, use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to generate instant quotes and handle billing.

Recommended tools:

  • Sweep & Go – Includes built-in instant quoting.
  • Jobber – Great for scheduling & invoicing.
  • Yardbook – Budget-friendly CRM for solo operators.

🚀 Automating pricing lets customers sign up instantly instead of waiting for manual quotes.

Final Thoughts: Why Smart Pricing Sets You Up for Success

✅ Higher prices attract better clients. ✅ Pricing affects your ability to hire & scale. ✅ A premium pricing strategy makes marketing more effective.

The dog waste removal business is highly scalable, but only if you charge profitably from day one. Use these strategies to optimize your rates, maximize profits, and dominate your market.

Want to Scale Faster? Apply to Work with Royal Scoopers!

Starting your own business is tough, and getting new clients is the hardest part. We can help! Instead of struggling to build a client base from scratch, let us provide you with consistent customers, so you can focus on delivering great service and growing your income.

💼 Jumpstart your business & apply today! Apply Now

🚀 Want to learn even more? Join Poop Scoop Millionaire (PSM) to access exclusive resources, training, and discounts to scale your business faster. Join PSM Here

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