Why per-mile pricing fails
Pure per-mile pricing undercharges the real work. A five-mile vet transport can take two hours if you handle pickup, check-in, waiting, appointment updates, checkout, and return.
You are not selling miles. You are selling responsibility, safety, time, communication, and convenience.
A simple pricing structure
A strong local pricing structure starts with service types:
- Standard pickup and drop-off: $125–$165
- Full vet appointment handled: $225–$300
- Airport or long-distance transport: $200–$350+
- Additional pet: $25+
- Rush or same-day request: $50+
Include a certain radius in the base price, then add a per-mile fee beyond that radius.
Vet appointment pricing
Vet visits should cost more than simple transport because you are handling the appointment, not just driving. You may need to wait, communicate with clinic staff, send owner updates, and manage paperwork or medication pickup.
If the appointment runs long, your pricing should include a wait-time policy. Otherwise the most complicated jobs become the least profitable.
Fees to include
- Extra pet fee: More animals means more handling and risk.
- Rush fee: Same-day requests disrupt the schedule.
- Wait-time fee: Long appointments should not consume unpaid hours.
- Distance add-on: Add mileage beyond your normal service radius.
- Cleaning or special handling fee: Use when care complexity is unusually high.
How to position the price
Do not apologize for premium pricing. Compare the service to the problem it solves: the owner does not miss work, reschedule the appointment, or worry about transportation.
Use language like private pet transportation, one pet per ride, photo updates, appointment handled, and insured. That is a different offer than "cheap pet taxi."