What does a mobile grooming van cost in Canada?

Why doesn't ProVanWorks publish a price for a grooming van?

ProVanWorks doesn't publish a price for a mobile grooming van because no two builds start from the same place. One groomer wants a diesel van and works around Langley, where winters are mild. Another wants an electric van with a larger battery bank, solar panels and delivery to Winnipeg. A single number on a website would be wrong for both of them.

Instead, we price each grooming van in writing once we know how you work: where you groom, the breeds you see most, how many dogs you do in a day and which van you want. The sections below explain each part of that price.

How much does the base van change the price?

The base van is the cargo van the grooming salon is built into, and its price is the starting point for the build. Two choices decide it: new or used, and diesel, gas or electric.

A new van costs more up front and comes with the manufacturer's warranty. A used van costs less, but its age, kilometres and rust from salted roads matter, because it will carry a grooming build for years. ProVanWorks builds on new or used vans, including vans customers already own, so if you're looking at a used van, send us the details before you buy. We sometimes have new or used base vans in stock too.

If you already own a truck rated to tow it, a grooming trailer built with the same features takes the base van out of the price, though the trailer itself and a suitable hitch replace it.

ProVanWorks builds on diesel, gas and electric vans, and the fuel type shapes the rest of the build: an electric van uses an electric heater, so its battery bank has to be sized for heat as well as grooming.

How do the heater and in-floor heat affect the cost?

Every ProVanWorks grooming van is heated, so the cost question is which heater you choose. The heater is a small diesel, gas or electric unit mounted under the seat. A diesel or gas heater runs on fuel from the van's own tank. An electric heater draws from the auxiliary battery bank, which usually means a larger bank and a higher battery cost.

The heater warms fluid that runs through pipes in the floor and walls, and heat exchangers move warm air into the work area. Insulation, heat pipes and heat exchangers take more material and shop hours than a single blower in a bare van, which is why a grooming van built for a prairie or Ontario winter costs more to build than one fitted out for a mild climate. The cold-weather design page explains the heating system and how to choose a heater.

Do bigger water tanks and a bigger battery bank cost more?

Yes. Larger water tanks and a larger battery bank both add to the price of a grooming van, and ProVanWorks sizes both to your working day.

A ProVanWorks grooming van carries a large fresh water reservoir in the heated utility area and a separate grey water tank. A day of doodles and double-coated dogs uses far more water than a day of small, short-coated dogs, so your dogs decide how much tank you need. The water system page has the details.

The auxiliary battery bank runs your tools, lights and fans, and charges from Level 2 EV chargers. A bank sized for your real day, with a lunchtime top-up, costs less than one sized for your worst day. With an electric heater, the bank has to cover heat too. The power and EV charging page explains battery sizing.

What add-ons change the price of a grooming van?

Each add-on changes the price of a ProVanWorks grooming van because it adds parts and shop hours to the core build. The options are:

• solar panels, which feed the battery bank in daylight and help most from spring to fall
• side covers (awnings)
• a generator, for long days far from any charger
• high-amp inverters and chargers, for heavy loads like dryers
• opening windows in the work area, for daylight and fresh air
• a vehicle wrap, designed and installed at the Langley shop

Budget for the wrap from the start. A grooming van in a client's driveway is seen by the whole street. A wrap designed alongside the build fits around the windows and doors you choose. See van wraps for design and installation.

Insulation, heat, air conditioning, lighting, cabinets, the waterproof floor and the cargo door railing come with every ProVanWorks grooming van.

Does delivery add to the cost of a grooming van?

Delivery adds to the cost of a grooming van when the van has to travel from the shop to you. ProVanWorks builds every van at our shop in Langley, BC, and customers in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and northern Washington usually pick up there.

For the rest of Canada and the United States, the cost and timing of delivery depend on the distance, the season and the roads in between. A van going to Calgary crosses the Rockies; a van going to Halifax travels close to 6,000 km. Ask for delivery in your quote so you compare the full cost of the van at your door. The delivery across Canada page explains how it works by region.

What running costs should I budget for a grooming van?

Budget for four kinds of running cost once a mobile grooming van is working:

• Fuel or charging. A diesel or gas van burns fuel between appointments, and a diesel or gas heater uses a little from the same tank. An electric van and the battery bank charge at Level 2 EV chargers or at home, at rates that vary by network and province.
• Insurance. You need commercial auto insurance on the van and business liability insurance that covers the dogs in your care. Get quotes before you buy.
• Maintenance. Regular servicing, a set of winter tires, and underbody rinses to clear road salt through the winter.
• Supplies and fees. Shampoo, towels, blades, grey water disposal fees, city business licences and booking software.

Our guide to starting a mobile grooming business in Canada covers insurance and licences step by step.

How does a grooming van compare with leasing a storefront salon?

A grooming van replaces monthly rent with the one-time cost of the build plus running costs. A storefront salon comes with a lease, utilities and a fit-out, and clients drive to you. With a van, you drive to them.

Which costs less depends on local rents, how many dogs you groom and how far you drive. Compare your own numbers over the same number of years: lease, utilities and fit-out for the storefront, against the build, insurance, energy and maintenance for the van.

Some differences aren't about money. A storefront can hold several groomers and tables at once. A grooming van holds one table and one dog, with no kennels or waiting room, and your day includes driving. Some salon owners run both.

Can I finance or lease a grooming van?

Yes. ProVanWorks offers financing through partner lenders, and banks, credit unions and specialist equipment lenders across Canada also finance and lease commercial vehicles. Many groomers use financing to spread the cost of a van over several years. Terms and rates depend on the lender and your credit history; ask us about our financing partners when you request a quote.

If you plan to borrow, ask the lender early what it needs to see. ProVanWorks gives every customer a written quote for the build, which you can share with a lender. Ask your accountant how a vehicle used for business is treated for tax, because that affects the real cost of buying compared with leasing.

How do I get a quote for a ProVanWorks grooming van?

To get a quote for a ProVanWorks grooming van, email info@provanworks.com or use our contact page. For a useful first quote, tell us:

• where you groom, and what your winters are like
• the breeds you see most, and how many dogs you do in a day
• whether you want a diesel, gas or electric van
• which add-ons you're considering
• where the finished van needs to go, and when you'd like it

We reply with layout options and a written price for that build. Groomers near Langley can also book a time to see a van in the shop before they decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a typical price range for a grooming van in Canada?

ProVanWorks doesn't publish a price range, because the base van, heater, tanks, batteries, add-ons and delivery change the total too much for a range to mean anything. Email us with how you work and we'll price your build in writing.

Why does a winter-ready grooming van cost more to build?

A winter-ready grooming van has more parts and labour in it than a van fitted out for a mild climate: insulation in the walls, roof and floor, a heater, heat pipes in the floor and walls, heat exchangers and a thermostat. Every ProVanWorks grooming van includes them.

Can ProVanWorks wrap the van as part of the build?

Yes. ProVanWorks designs and installs vehicle wraps at the same Langley shop where we build the van, so a new grooming van can leave with its branding on. Ask for the wrap in your quote.