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Pet grooming requires significant amounts of water and utilities. Let's take a closer look at the utility demands of a pet grooming business.

• Electricity. Every department of a pet grooming salon needs electricity. The bathing department can demand the most for the larger salon running several blow dryers. The growing popularity of a Hydrosurge®-like bathing unit increases the demand though the dryers are the significant source of demand. Examine the load requirements specified by the blow dryers you intend to purchase. Look down the road now. Will you be acquiring more units in the future? Add up the electrical load requirements and write it down. Also note the number of electrical outlets and the need for non-standard plugs, such as 220V.

• Clippers and clipper boosters require electricity in the trimming department. Again, examine the load requirements of the equipment you require now, and for future trimming workstations you may add as your business grows. Write the electrical load requirements down and note the number of outlets you require too. How much electricity is required for your water heater, central heating and air conditioning? This varies greatly by your equipment, but certainly air conditioning creates a strong demand. Even in the cool days of Spring and Fall, the heat of the bathing department can require balancing with periods of air conditioning. Hopefully, your water heater and heating will use a more efficient fuel such as natural gas.

• Don't overlook the electrical demand from lighting. Fluorescent lighting is often best balanced with spotlighting on each trimming station. Although many pet groomers don't add the spotlights, their faces light up when they try a workstation with additional spotlights in the four corners of the overall workstation area. You can eliminate shadows and really see your work better, but yes, you are increasing electrical demand.

• Clipper vacuum systems, shop vacuums, a kitchen area including coffee and a microwave and other small equipment add even more demand. If you install a computer, you will need a dedicated line to protect the equipment. Where would the pet grooming business be without plenty of electricity. In fact, some of our clients originally moved into older buildings that had adequate electricity but as they grew, it quickly became insufficient.

Sometimes upgrading an electrical panel can exceed $10,000 and we have done some for nearly $17,500. Write down your requirements on paper including outlets and the electrical demand of all the equipment. This exercise is best done on a photocopy of your floor plan. Consult with an electrical contractor. Ask them to inspect sites you may lease. It's well worth paying them a consultation fee if they ask for one compared to facing either a major electrical upgrade, or having to move to a new site. Even many of today's newer buildings do not have adequate supplies for a moderate size salon with 3-4 trimming stations and a 4-6 station bathing department.

More guidelines to help you select the right commercial space continue on the next page.