Dog walking business with hired walkers

Busy households across a wider area, including regular weekday clients and people who need cover for holidays.

You charge per walk and pay walkers per walk or per hour. The margin is what is left after pay, fuel, insurance and admin.

• Organising schedules and routes
• Choosing and managing reliable people
• Clear communication with owners

• Employment status of walkers, so check HMRC guidance on self-employed versus employed
• Employer's liability insurance if you employ anyone, and public liability that covers your team
• Background checks and references for people who hold clients' keys
• Standards depend on each walker, so one bad experience can damage your reputation
• A van or car for transport may need specific insurance cover, so check with your insurer

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on vehicle needs, insurance, marketing and equipment. These are estimates, so get insurance quotes that cover your team before you set a budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on how many walkers you have, how many dogs they walk and your prices. These are estimates, and results vary with how quickly you build regular clients.

Check HMRC guidance on whether walkers are self-employed or employed, and arrange employer's liability and public liability insurance that covers your team. Also check references and background checks for anyone holding clients' keys.