For the sake of your time let’s just say that a pooper scooper service cost is between $15 and $22 a visit. There, end of article. However, if you want to delve in the more intricate aspects of the true costs of a pooper scooper service, keep reading.
Many people don’t even realize that pooper scooper service companies exist. Let me assure you, they do. One of the oldest pet waste removal companies that I know of is Scoop Masters. Founded in 1988, even before the internet was available. How do I know this? Because I’m the founder. The top 3 questions I would get asked are:
- What do you do? (Duh)
- What do you do with the dog poop after you pick it up?
- And, how much does your pooper scooper service cost?
The first answer is easy, we pick up dog poop from your backyard or dog run. Or what I like to say in recent years – “We made a business out of 10 years old’s chore.” The second answer is fun. I always reply – “We toss it on your neighbor’s lawn and leave a card.” That reply still gets laughs. Let’s talk about number 3. (Didn’t know there was a number 3 did ya?)
Pooper Scoop Service Rates – Service Areas
As you may have guessed, rates will vary greatly depending on where you live. For instance, in the Northeast U.S. the rates tend to be a bit higher than most. Why is that? Typically, they will have more snow days than the Southern states. As a result of that, they have to charge a bit more for those days, or even weeks, that they can’t work. Any location that has a higher cost of living will result in higher rates.
There are also tax issues. Many municipalities force small businesses to collect sales and use tax on our services. I like to say that we don’t charge sales tax, we collect it for the government. Some parishes, townships, boroughs or whatever they may be called, may also require a local tax to be collected. In some areas, you are not allowed to toss dog poop in the trash cans. You have to take it directly to a dump. This extra work certainly adds to the cost of a pooper scooper service.
Then there are the cities that have really large yards, compared to those with postage stamp size yards. You’ve heard of MPH or miles per hour. In the pooper scooper industry, we have SPH or Stops Per Hour. That is what most rates are, or should be, based on. In some cities like Dallas, that number could be 3 or 4. In Santa Clarita, CA that number can be as high as 7 or 8 SPH.
Service Days
Personally, working 5 days a week is ideal. For others, that may be 6 days a week. There a few companies that work 7 days a week. That can have an impact of the cost of service. Whereas, some states require you to pay your employees more on Sundays, holidays and overtime. Small or new start up companies may be limited on what areas they decide to cover due to drive time and traffic. Ideally, they will try to keep their route tight, or as many stops as they can in one area. That may result in only serving certain areas on certain days.
That being said, if you need service on certain days, you may end up paying a premium for that service. Especially if there’s known traffic issues or limited access to get there.
What’s Included in Your Pooper Scooper Service
Did you know that there is more to a professional pooper scooper company than simply picking up dog poop? Many companies offer:
- Sanitizing sprays;
- Hosing off the patio or dog run;
- Disinfecting sprays;
- Trash bin service;
- Water bowl service
- Cat litter box service.
Some of these may be included in the price, others may not. For instance, at Scoop Masters we provide some of these services as an additional up-sell service. The reason being, that many clients didn’t need the sanitizing or the hosing off. So, why charge them for something they don’t need? Other companies include hosing off the residue in their pricing, whether you need it or not. It’s always wise to look into these things when searching for a pet waste removal service.
Number of Dogs
There are many methods used to figure out what to charge for professional scooping services. Some charge per dog, per visit. Others will charge the same rate for 1 and 2 dogs, and a different rate for 3 to 4 dogs. There are even a few newer startups that charge the same rate for up to 4 dogs. Either the 4 dog clients are getting a really good rate, or the one dog client is paying a high rate.
Then there’s the number of service days. Most companies will have a small price break for more services per week. We do that at Scoop Masters. More visits, less poop to pick up with each service. However, we still have to drive out to the location.
Entre-manure or Solopreneur?
Is the pooper scooper you’re looking to hire a business owner? Or a job owner? What’s the difference? The main difference is that a sole proprietor, or solopreneur, doesn’t have to take into account the payroll taxes, workers compensation insurance and other expenses that come with an employee. The only problem with that is it limits growth in their business. When they can no longer service their clients and have to hire help, and they can’t afford it. That’s when the rates have to be raised to a sustainable level.
If you hire an entrepreneur or as we like to say, entre-manure, the expenses are usually much higher because of the aforementioned reasons. As a result of that, they have to charge more for the service. That usually means they will be around for years to come to provide excellent service.
Conclusion
While there are between 600 and 800 pooper scooper companies in the U.S., according to aPaws.org, not all of them are the same. It doesn’t hurt to price shop for a pooper scooper service. Just be aware that in many cases, you get what you pay for. Or perhaps, don’t get what you pay for. I have nothing against new startups that try to undercut the local competition. They have to start somewhere. As long as they provide a quality pooper scooper service.
Scoop Masters is your go-to solution for dog waste removal, with locations in Los Angeles, Ventura, Dallas, Austin, and Nashville. Since 1988, we’ve been creating “no flies” zones in backyards, patios, and dog runs, ensuring your space stays dog poop-free. Our services also include sanitizing rocks, concrete, and artificial turf to eliminate odors. Insert your zip code on our main page for an instant, free, no-obligation quote. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter/X. If your dog can poop it, we can scoop it!