How To Start Laundromat Business In 15 Easy Steps (2023)

Tired of endless hand washing at home? Want a more convenient solution? Consider the Laundromat business! Whether you lack a washing machine or need to handle larger loads, Laundromats have you covered. Their unique model offers easy access to machines through a simple drop-off and pick-up process.

Laundromats also provide detergents, soaps, dryer sheets, and other essentials for your laundry needs. Plus, their income stays steady year-round, even during economic downturns.

Here’s what you need to know about Laundromats: Customers can use their washing machines and dryers, paying either with coins or cards. The focus is on flexible service, rather than strict payment methods or machine monitoring.

Laundromats are typically found in well-maintained areas, like standalone buildings or sections within apartment complexes or college dorms. They often open early and close late, with some even operating 24/7 for added convenience.

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Target audience

Laundromats mostly target adults who do not have the facility of washing machines in their homes or apartments and in some cases college students are also considered. As per the recent statistics, 87% of Laundromat’s customers live within a mile of the business, and approx. 60% of the customers are women.

Costs to Start

Average initial cost requires to invest in starting a Laundromats can easily range from $200,000 to $500,000. As you’ll have to set-up heavy expensive commercial equipment like washers and dryers. In addition to this, there will be huge costs required to invest in machines such as coin machines, signs, trash cans, vending machines, TVs, security cameras, tables, laundry carts, and more.

Every now and then the owner will have to spend money on maintenance of activities like electrical, plumbing, and the water heating system. Apart from this machinery, Laundromats always require relatively minimal additional supplies on expenses like utilities, insurance, payroll, and miscellaneous supplies.

In case, you will hire employees on duty then the expense of it will also get included.

Industry trends

In America, many of have them have purchased their own in-home laundry machines and give you the offers to the service to opt for drop-off and pickup laundry services, creating competition (or opportunities) for Laundromats.

Skills, experience, and education useful in running a Laundromat

For running a Laundromat no specific degree or course is required however below are some of the following skills and experience is necessary to meet the successful result.

Experience with appliances

For owning a Laundromat, having some experience with appliances is valuable for the smooth functioning of the business.

Problem-solving skills

As we know for running any business, there are always ups and downs. Likewise, for running a Laundromat it’s crucial to have great problem-solving skills and creativity along with a high level of patience.

Customer service experience

The return of investment of Laundromat business depends on the service you provide to your customers. Due to lack of quality service, customers won’t visit, hence try to maintain the level of this industry.

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Marketing skills

Marketing skills is important to attract customer and make your presence in the market. Choosing the right platform that will establish a customer base.

Steps to begin a Laundromat and whether it will be the right choice for you:

Step 1: Plan Strategies and pen down your Business ideas

As soon as you have come up with an idea, it’s significant to do planning to carry the business ahead, therefore write down those ideas. It’s crucial to know strategies that will increase the chances of starting a successful business in a particular way.

Step 2: Choose your right Business entity

A well-crafted business entity is legally organized to operate. There are four primary business entity options available to choose from that includes the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). However, each type of entity has got its own pros and cons, such as liability exposure, costs, and administrative requirements.

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Step 3: Name of the Business

Coming up with a suitable name for a business is the key factor and it can be challenging. Not only does the name have to resonate with your potential customers, but it should convey some meaning too.

Step 4: Plan your location

The budget for a Laundromat always depends on its location as it’s totally based on the modifications and requirements according to the size of the building. The Laundromats should set up in densely populated areas. Primarily, it’s important to keep in mind, if your customers are near to your location. Typically, your target audience such as college students will allow you to make demographic profile decisions for Laundromat usage.

Step 5: Outline for Business Licenses and Permits

To set up Laundromat, you will require various types of business licenses, permits, and registrations that will depend on your different towns, cities, and states. As per the location, permission from a health department license or water pollution control will be needed.

Apart from Laundromat-specific licensing, you additionally need another general local, state, and federal registrations including many others such as a sales tax permit, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and Occupancy Permit.

Step 6: Find Financing

For any business having the right skill-sets and perfect planning is one thing, but having the right funding model is vitally important. As to start and run a new Laundromat can be quite expensive hence managing funds and making decisions at the right place is necessary. As a matter of bank, Banks will want the borrower to have good credit and are capable to invest 15-25% of the total start-up by themselves.

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Step 7: Apply for a Business Bank Account

Maintain your separate business and personal finances in bank and credit card accounts. Eventually, you will have clear knowledge about your business income and expenses.

Step 8: Br ready with your Unique marketing moves

Nowadays for any kind of business, effective marketing is important to attract customers towards your business. Marketing helps you to create an amazing presence in the market that leads to expansion and increase profits. The cost of marketing varies depending on the type of platforms and scope you choose for promotion and marketing activity. But due to social media, digital advertisements are more authentic than the traditional method. Digital advertisements are less costly than traditional platforms. To stand in the market and maintain trust, be authentic and loyal to your customers.

Step 9: Hire Employees

To run a Laundromat, as per the size and hours allotments of 2-3 employees on duty are needed. It is believed most Laundromat attendants earn an average of $9.59 per hour. Hiring employees will increase additional expenses from taking care of their paid time off, health insurance contributions, and workman’s compensation insurance. Along with this, many times you will have to hire mechanics for fixing appliances when they go down.

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How much can you potentially make owning a Laundromat?

Owning a laundry business can be lucrative. According to Martin Ray Laundry Systems Inc., Laundromats generate around $5 billion in annual gross revenue. They typically produce between $15,000 and $300,000 in cash flow each year.

Investing in a Laundromat can yield an average return on investment of 20% to 35%. In fact, 63% of Laundromat investors view their investment as a full-time job.