Service Configuration - Pricing & Duration
Overview
Proper pricing and duration configuration ensures accurate quotes, realistic scheduling, and smooth appointment workflows. This guide covers all pricing models, duration settings, and advanced configuration options.
Pricing Models
Fixed Pricing
Single, standard price for all bookings
Best for:
Standardized services with consistent effort
Group classes or courses
Walk-in services
Services where variables don't significantly affect cost
Example:
Group Dog Walk: $40.00
Half Day Daycare: $90.00
Basic Nail Trim: $15.00
How to set:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Enter Base Price
Leave Variable Pricing disabled
Customer sees exact price at booking
Variable Pricing ("from $X")
Starting price with flexibility for adjustments
Best for:
Services where final cost depends on factors discovered during service
Grooming (coat condition, matting, time required)
Services with size-dependent pricing
Complex services with add-ons
Example:
Full Groom (Large): from $180.00
Boarding Stay: from $120.00/night
Training Session: from $85.00
How to set:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Enter Base Price (starting point)
Enable Variable Pricing
Customer sees "from $X" at booking
Adjust final price at appointment completion
When to use:
Grooming services (coat condition varies)
Services with optional add-ons
Size-based pricing without creating separate services
When you need flexibility to adjust based on actual work
Adjusting variable prices:
During appointment creation: Select service, adjust price before saving
After appointment: Edit appointment, adjust price, finalize
At completion: Review time spent and condition, adjust accordingly
Tiered Pricing (Multiple Service Variants)
Create separate services for each price point
Best for:
Clear size categories (Small/Medium/Large/X-Large)
Different service levels (Basic/Standard/Premium)
Distinct duration or scope differences
Example:
Full Groom (Small) - $130.00 - 1h 15mFull Groom (Medium) - $145.00 - 1h 30mFull Groom (Large) - $180.00 - 2hFull Groom (X-Large) - $245.00 - 2h 30m
Benefits:
Clear pricing for customers
Accurate duration scheduling per tier
Easy to assign different eligibility rules
Better reporting by service variant
How to set up:
Create first service (e.g., "Full Groom (Small)")
Duplicate service
Rename for size/tier (e.g., "Full Groom (Medium)")
Adjust pricing, duration, and eligibility restrictions
Repeat for all tiers
Multi-Pet Discount Pricing
Offer automatic discounts when customers book multiple pets
What it is:
Encourages customers to book multiple pets at once by offering reduced per-pet rates. Petboost uses rate-per-pet tiers: you set the price per individual pet for each pet count tier, and the system applies that rate to ALL pets when the tier is met.
Why use it:
Increased bookings: Removes price barrier for multi-pet families
Customer loyalty: Rewards customers with multiple pets
Higher revenue per appointment: More pets per time slot
Competitive advantage: Differentiates from competitors
Reduced admin: Automatic calculation, no manual adjustments
How to set:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Find Multi-Pet Discount Pricing section
Click + Add Multi-Pet Rates
Configure rate-per-pet tiers:
1 Pet: Enter the per-pet rate (typically the base price, e.g. $100)
2 Pets: Enter the reduced per-pet rate (e.g. $85)
3+ Pets: Enter the reduced per-pet rate (e.g. $75)
The system derives the discount percentage automatically for display
Save changes
Important: The rate you enter is the price per individual pet, not the total for all pets. The system calculates: total = rate per pet x number of pets. For example, if you want to charge $150 total for 2 dogs, set the rate per pet to $75 (not $150).
How it works:
Customer adds multiple pets for the same service
System counts the pets and finds the matching tier
The tier's rate per pet is applied to ALL pets (not just additional ones)
Total = rate per pet x number of pets
Example Configuration:
Base Service: Full Groom - $100.00With Multi-Pet Rate Tiers:- 1 pet: $100.00 per pet = $100.00 total- 2 pets: $85.00 per pet = $170.00 total (saved $30)- 3+ pets: $75.00 per pet = $225.00 total for 3 pets (saved $75)
Best Practices:
Recommended rate reductions:
2 pets: 10-15% lower than base (encourages booking both pets)
3+ pets: 20-30% lower than base (rewards larger families)
Services where multi-pet discounts work best:
Dog grooming (standard haircuts/baths)
Dog walking (multiple dogs on one walk)
Training sessions (group or individual)
Daycare (multiple pets same day)
Services where discounts may not apply:
Boarding (separate kennels, full resources per pet)
Specialised services (each pet needs full attention)
Medical/veterinary services
Pricing Psychology:
Tiered rates incentivise adding more pets
Larger reduction at 3+ creates compelling value proposition
Keep base price fair: discount from reasonable starting point
Clear communication: show savings at booking
Customer Experience:
At booking, customers see:
Service: Full GroomPet 1 (Max): $85.00 (multi-pet rate)Pet 2 (Bella): $85.00 (multi-pet rate)Total: $170.00You saved: $30.00
When adding third pet:
Service: Full GroomPet 1 (Max): $75.00 (multi-pet rate)Pet 2 (Bella): $75.00 (multi-pet rate)Pet 3 (Charlie): $75.00 (multi-pet rate)Total: $225.00You saved: $75.00
Common Questions:
Q: Can I have different rates for different services?
A: Yes, configure multi-pet rate tiers per service. Each service can have its own per-pet rates.
Q: Does the discount apply to mixed services?
A: No, rate tiers apply when multiple pets book the same service in the same appointment.
Q: Can customers combine multi-pet rates with packages?
A: Multi-pet rates apply to the service price before package credits.
Q: The rate I enter is per pet, not the total?
A: Correct. The rate per pet is what each individual pet is charged. Total = rate per pet x number of pets. If you want 2 dogs to cost $150 total, set the per-pet rate to $75.
Q: Do rates apply to add-on services?
A: Configure separately per service. Typically apply to main services, not add-ons.
Duration Configuration
Service Duration
Total time blocked on schedule for this service
Includes:
Actual hands-on service time
Typical setup/cleanup within service
Expected variations
Does not include:
Buffer time (set separately)
Extreme edge cases
Examples:
Dog Grooming (Medium): 1h 30m
Group Dog Walk: 1h
Daycare (Half Day): Half Day
Boarding: 1d (one day)
Duration Types:
Time-Based Duration:
Minutes: 15m, 30m, 45m
Hours: 1h, 1h 15m, 1h 30m, 2h, 2h 30m, etc.
Day-Based Duration:
Full Day: All-day service
Half Day: Partial day service
Multi-day: 1d, 2d, 3d, etc. (for boarding/stays)
Setting realistic durations:
Too Short:
❌ Appointments run over time
❌ Schedule becomes inaccurate
❌ Staff feel rushed
❌ Back-to-back conflicts
Too Long:
❌ Underutilized schedule
❌ Fewer appointments per day
❌ Lost revenue opportunities
Just Right:
✅ Reflects actual service time + minor variations
✅ Use buffer time for setup/cleanup
✅ Monitor and adjust based on real performance
Buffer Time
Additional time before or after service
Purpose:
Preparation before appointment
Cleanup after appointment
Transition time between appointments
Prevents back-to-back scheduling issues
Before Buffer:
Check-in pets
Review special instructions
Prepare equipment/space
Welcome customers
After Buffer:
Clean equipment/space
Update notes
Check-out pets
Prepare for next appointment
Examples:
No Buffer Needed:
Group classes (built into service duration)
Mobile services (travel time separate)
Services with natural gaps
Light Buffer (15 minutes):
Standard grooming
Dog walking
Quick services
Moderate Buffer (30 minutes):
Complex grooming
First-time services
High-turnover daycare
Heavy Buffer (45+ minutes):
Boarding check-in/out
Services requiring deep cleaning
Multi-pet appointments
Setting buffer time:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Set Buffer Before (minutes)
Set Buffer After (minutes)
Buffer is automatically added to schedule blocking
Duration Display Label
Customize how duration appears to customers
What it is:
Overrides the default duration display with custom text. Instead of showing "2h" or "1h 30m", you can display more customer-friendly text like "Approx. 2 hours" or "2-3 hours depending on coat condition".
When to use:
Variable duration services where exact time isn't guaranteed
Services where you want to set expectations ("Approx. 2 hours")
Complex services with unpredictable timing
When default formatting doesn't fit your brand voice
How to set:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Find Duration Display Label
Enter custom text (e.g., "Approx. 2 hours")
Leave blank to use default duration format
Examples:
Default display:
"2h"
"1h 30m"
"Full Day"
Custom display:
"Approximately 2 hours"
"2-3 hours depending on coat condition"
"Half day (4-5 hours)"
"Full day of fun!"
"About an hour"
Best Practices:
Keep it clear and professional
Set accurate expectations
Use when duration varies significantly
Match your brand voice
Fixed Start Time
Services that must start at specific times
What it is:
Forces appointments to start only at predetermined times (e.g., group classes start at 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM only).
When to use:
Group classes or courses
Scheduled tours or events
Services requiring multiple customers at once
Fixed schedule activities
How it works:
Instead of allowing any time slot (9:00, 9:15, 9:30, etc.), the system only offers designated start times.
Configuration:
Set in Duration & Timing section when service structure requires fixed scheduling.
Pricing Strategy Best Practices
For Grooming Businesses
Recommended approach:
Create tiered services by size with variable pricing:
Full Groom (Small) - from $130.00 - 1h 15mFull Groom (Medium) - from $145.00 - 1h 30mFull Groom (Large) - from $180.00 - 2hFull Groom (X-Large) - from $245.00 - 2h 30m
Why:
Customers see expected range
Can adjust up for severe matting or extra time
Can adjust down for easy coats
Clear sizing guidance
Alternative:
Single "Full Groom" service with wide variable range (from $130-$245), manually select during booking.
For Dog Walking Services
Recommended approach:
Fixed pricing for clear expectations:
Group Walk (max 4 dogs) - $40.00 - 1hPrivate Walk (Solo) - $150.00 - 1hExtended Walk - $180.00 - 1h 30m
Why:
Customers expect fixed rates
Easy to compare options
Simple booking decisions
For Daycare Services
Recommended approach:
Fixed pricing with clear day types:
Full Day Daycare - $100.00 - Full DayHalf Day Daycare - $90.00 - Half DayBoarding (Overnight) - $120.00 - 1d
Why:
Industry standard is fixed rates
Predictable revenue
Clear customer expectations
For Training Services
Recommended approach:
Fixed pricing with package options:
Single Training Session - $85.00 - 1h5-Session Package - $400.00 (save $25)10-Session Package - $750.00 (save $100)
Why:
Encourages commitment with packages
Clear value proposition
Predictable pricing
Advanced Configuration
Copy Service Settings
When creating multiple similar services, you can copy settings from an existing service to save time:
Open the service you want to copy settings from
Click the "Copy Settings" button
Select the target service(s) to copy settings to
Choose which settings to copy (pricing, duration, booking rules, team assignments, etc.)
Review and confirm
This is particularly useful when setting up variations of the same service (e.g., different sizes of the same grooming style).
Deposit Requirements
Require deposit for booking
Set deposit amount or percentage
Charged at booking time
Remaining balance due at service completion
Best for:
High-value services
Boarding reservations
Course enrollments
Reduces no-shows
Configuration:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Enable Require Deposit
Set Deposit Amount (fixed) or Deposit Percentage
Remaining balance calculated automatically
Minimum/Maximum Pricing
Set price boundaries for variable pricing
Minimum Price:
Lowest you'll charge for this service
Protects against under-charging
Example: Full Groom minimum $130 (even for easy coats)
Maximum Price:
Highest typical charge
Helps customer expectation
Can exceed if necessary with explanation
Example: Full Groom maximum $250 (severe matting may go higher)
Configuration:
Navigate to service → Pricing & Duration tab
Set Minimum Price (optional)
Set Maximum Price (optional)
System warns if adjustment falls outside range
Duration Multipliers
Adjust duration based on factors
Some services may offer duration multipliers for:
Multiple pets (30% longer per additional pet)
Complex situations (1.5x time for severe matting)
New customers (1.25x time for initial assessment)
Manual adjustment:
During appointment creation, manually adjust duration if needed.
Pricing Examples by Industry
Pet Grooming
Small Business:
Full Groom (Small): from $65-$95
Full Groom (Medium): from $85-$115
Full Groom (Large): from $110-$150
Premium Salon:
Full Groom (Small): from $130-$180
Full Groom (Medium): from $145-$200
Full Groom (Large): from $180-$250
Urban Market:
Full Groom (Small): from $150-$200
Full Groom (Medium): from $180-$240
Full Groom (Large): from $220-$300
Dog Walking
Group Walks:
30-minute group walk: $25-$35
1-hour group walk: $40-$50
Private Walks:
30-minute solo walk: $60-$80
1-hour solo walk: $120-$150
Daycare & Boarding
Daycare:
Half day: $60-$90
Full day: $80-$120
Boarding:
Per night: $60-$150 (varies by size, luxury level)
Training
Group Classes:
Single class: $25-$40
6-week series: $150-$240
Private Training:
Single session (1h): $75-$150
Package of 5: $350-$700
Package of 10: $650-$1,300
Common Questions
Q: Should I use variable pricing or separate services for different sizes?
A: Separate services if pricing and duration differ significantly. Variable pricing if differences are minor and you want flexibility.
Q: How do I handle severely matted coats that take much longer?
A: Use variable pricing ("from $X") and adjust price upward during or after service. Communicate extra time/cost to customer before starting.
Q: Can I change prices for existing appointments?
A: Yes, edit the appointment and adjust the price before finalizing. Price at time of finalization is what's charged.
Q: What if I underestimated duration and appointments run long?
A: Monitor actual durations and adjust service duration settings. Use buffer time to give yourself cushion.
Q: Should buffer time be paid?
A: Buffer time is not separately invoiced - it's built into your workflow. Service price covers both service duration and buffer time.
Q: Can I have different prices for weekends?
A: Create separate "Weekend" service variants with different pricing, or manually adjust variable pricing at booking.
Q: How do I handle multi-pet discounts?
A: Use multi-pet rate tiers on your service (Pricing & Duration tab). Set a per-pet rate for each pet count tier. Alternatively, create dedicated "Multi-Pet" service variants with different pricing.
Related FAQs
Next Steps
Configure Team & Resource Assignment for service delivery
Set up Booking Rules for customer access
Review FAQ for additional tips and troubleshooting