The Mobile Grooming Van Checklist: Daily, Weekly and Monthly Checks

For a mobile groomer, the van is everything: salon, storeroom and transport in one. When it breaks down, so does your income for the day. A simple checklist routine catches small problems before they become expensive ones, and means you're never caught at a client's house without water, power or clean towels.

Why checklists work

Pilots and surgeons use checklists for a reason: busy, skilled people forget simple things. Running through the same list each morning takes a few minutes and removes the risk of a wasted trip. Print it, laminate it and keep it in the van, or keep it as a note on your phone.

Daily checks

Before you leave each morning:

• Water. Fill the fresh water tank and check the hot water system works.
• Waste. Empty the waste water tank properly and check the hair trap.
• Power. Check fuel for the generator, or that batteries and inverter are charged.
• Tools. Charge clippers, check blades and scissors, and pack spares.
• Supplies. Towels, shampoos, conditioners, ear cleaner, cotton balls, bandanas and treats.
• Safety. First aid kit for people and dogs, fire extinguisher, and a secure lead and muzzle.
• Your day. Check your route, client addresses, gate codes, and each dog's notes.

End of day

A quick end-of-day routine makes the next morning easier. Wipe down the tub and table, sweep out hair, put towels in the wash, plug in clippers and note anything that needs restocking. Lock the van and remove anything valuable if it's parked on the street.

Weekly checks

Once a week, give the van a deeper clean: scrub the tub, disinfect surfaces, clean dryer filters and check for any leaks. Walk around the outside, checking tyres, lights, indicators and fluid levels. Restock products and the first aid kit before you run out.

Monthly checks

Each month, look at the bigger systems. Service the generator or check the electrical system, inspect hoses and fittings, test the water pump and hot water unit, and check the table's hydraulics or motor. Send scissors and blades for sharpening on a regular cycle so you always have a sharp set ready.

Paperwork checks

It's easy to forget the paperwork. Keep a list of when your registration, insurance and vehicle service are due, and set reminders a few weeks ahead. Check your council permits are current for each area you work in.

Plan for breakdowns

Even with good maintenance, things go wrong. Have roadside assistance, keep a mechanic's number handy and know who can repair your grooming equipment quickly. If you're stuck, contact the day's clients early. Being able to message everyone booked that day from your phone makes a bad day much easier.

Keep everything on your phone

Mobile groomers need their information on the move. With PetConnect, your day's bookings, route, client addresses, pet notes and payments are all in the app on your phone. You can message clients if you're running late, take card payments at the door and see your next stop without going back to a desk.

Look after your body too

Your checklist should include you. Pack water and food, stretch before you start, and take short breaks between dogs. In summer, plan for heat: park in shade where you can, keep the van ventilated and watch the dogs for signs of heat stress.

Make it a habit

The first few weeks of a checklist feel slow. After that, it becomes automatic and takes just a few minutes. The reward is fewer surprises, fewer cancelled days and a van that lasts longer and looks professional to every client who sees it.

Adapt it to your van

Every van is fitted out differently. Use this list as a starting point, then add the things specific to your set-up: a particular pump that needs priming, a door seal that leaks in the rain, a dryer that overheats in summer. Over time, your checklist becomes a record of everything you've learned about keeping your van running smoothly. If you ever hire a second groomer or add another van, it becomes the training guide that keeps both vans running the same way.

Water and waste rules

Many councils treat grooming wastewater as trade waste. It can contain shampoo, flea treatments and hair, so it usually can't go into stormwater drains. Check how each council expects you to dispose of it, keep your waste tank in good condition, and record where and when you empty it. Being able to show you handle waste properly protects you if a neighbour complains.

Keep spares on board

A small box of spares can save a whole day: a spare clipper and blade set, extension lead, fuses, a hose fitting, a spare towel stack and a backup phone charger. They take little space and get you through most small failures without cancelling clients.

Read our guide to route planning for mobile groomers, or see how PetConnect helps on the road on our grooming management page.