What should I ask about a dog groomer’s equipment such as tubs and dryers?

Walk the shop with the list in hand and compare it to what you see. Run the tubs and check the sprayers, drains, hoses and non-slip surfaces. Test the dryers for heat, noise and airflow, and look at the hydraulic or electric tables for wobble and leaks.

Ask who owns what. Some items may be leased, financed or held under a lien, and some belong to a groomer rather than the shop. Ask your lawyer to confirm what transfers and what must be paid off or replaced.

Ask for maintenance and repair receipts, and how often something breaks. A dryer that has been repaired repeatedly may cost more than it is worth to keep. Ask which pieces the seller would replace next and what they expect it to cost, then compare that with your own quotes. Ask about the shop’s water heater, ventilation and electrical load as well, since grooming runs hard on all three. Consider an equipment appraiser if the list is long. Finally, ask what the shop does when a major piece fails mid-day, and whether it has a backup dryer or a second tub. Downtime costs appointments, so a thin setup deserves a plan before you take over.

Key takeaways

• Match the equipment list to what you can see and test.
• Confirm ownership, leases and any financing on each item.
• Ask for repair history and get your own replacement quotes.