Start a Business · Startup costs
How much does it cost to start a laundromat?
Estimate the all-in cost to open a laundromat: commercial washers and dryers, the utility buildout that surprises everyone, lease, and working capital.
Typical range $271,150 – $414,700
- Washers & dryers$160,000
- Plumbing/gas/electrical buildout$75,000
- Water heating system$15,000
- Lease deposit + first months$15,000
- Card/coin payment system$18,000
- Signage, security & furniture$12,000
- Permits & licenses$3,000
- Working-capital buffer$21,000
- Total$319,000
§ 02 The return
A modern, well-placed laundromat runs close to hands-off; an aging one with broken machines bleeds customers.
§ 03 Effort & commitment
Once built and stocked, the work is collection, cleaning, and repairs rather than full-time staffing.
Where the money goes
When it pays back
Cumulative cash flow. The line crosses zero the month your cumulative profit has repaid the startup cost.
Recommended next steps
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$150k to $350k is the common range. Equipment financing helps here.
By the numbers
- Laundromats can run net margins of 20 to 35 percent, high for retail, because labor is light.
- Revenue is steady and recession-resistant since people wash clothes in any economy.
- Utilities (water, gas, electric) are the largest ongoing cost after rent.
Sources: IBISWorld: Laundromats · U.S. Small Business Administration
How this estimate is calculated
- The utility buildout (water lines, gas for the dryers, drains, and heavy electrical) is the cost first-timers underestimate. It can rival the equipment itself.
- Buying an existing laundromat is often cheaper than a new build: you inherit the buildout and machines. This calculator models a new/re-equipped store; adjust the buildout line down for a turnkey purchase.
- Water and gas dominate monthly costs, so the working-capital cushion matters more here than in most businesses.
- The range reflects how much your lease's existing infrastructure and equipment mix move the real number.