How Much Does It Cost to Open a Laundromat in 2026?
The numbers: A new laundromat build costs $200,000 to $500,000. Buying an existing one runs $50,000 to $250,000. Equipment is the biggest expense at $100K-$300K. Average revenue: $150K-$300K/year with 20-35% profit margins. Payback period: 3-5 years.
Laundromats are one of those businesses that look deceptively simple from the outside. Machines wash clothes, customers pay, you collect the money. The reality is more nuanced, but the fundamentals are genuinely attractive: recurring demand, relatively low labor costs, and margins that hold up even in recessions.
The catch? The upfront investment is significant. Here is exactly how much you need and what the returns look like.
New build vs buying existing: cost comparison
| Cost element | New build | Buy existing |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price / buildout | $50,000 - $100,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 (total) |
| Equipment (washers + dryers) | $100,000 - $300,000 | Included in purchase price |
| Plumbing / electrical | $20,000 - $50,000 | Minimal (existing infrastructure) |
| Lease deposit + first/last | $5,000 - $15,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Coin / card payment systems | $5,000 - $15,000 | May need upgrade ($5K-$10K) |
| Signage and branding | $3,000 - $8,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Working capital | $10,000 - $20,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| Total | $193,000 - $508,000 | $66,000 - $305,000 |
Buying an existing laundromat is usually the smarter move for first-time owners. You get proven revenue, established customers, and working infrastructure. The due diligence is critical though — inspect every machine, review utility bills for the past 2 years, and verify the revenue claims.
Equipment costs: the biggest line item
Commercial washers and dryers are the heart of the business. The mix of machine sizes determines your revenue capacity.
| Machine type | New price (each) | Used price (each) | Revenue per cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-load washer (standard) | $1,200 - $2,000 | $500 - $1,000 | $2.50 - $4.00 |
| Front-load washer (20 lb) | $3,000 - $5,000 | $1,500 - $3,000 | $3.50 - $5.50 |
| Front-load washer (40 lb) | $6,000 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $6,000 | $6.00 - $9.00 |
| Front-load washer (60+ lb) | $10,000 - $18,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 | $8.00 - $14.00 |
| Stack dryer (30 lb) | $4,000 - $7,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 | $0.25 per 6-8 min |
A typical mid-size laundromat (2,000-3,000 sq ft) runs 20-30 washers and 20-30 dryers. The trend is moving toward larger front-load machines — they use less water per pound of laundry, cost more per cycle, and have higher margins.
Monthly operating costs
- Lease: $2,000 - $6,000/month depending on location and size
- Utilities (water, gas, electric): $2,000 - $5,000/month — this is a utility-intensive business
- Attendant labor: $0 (unattended) to $3,000-$5,000/month (staffed hours)
- Maintenance and repairs: $500 - $1,500/month (budget for this — machines break)
- Insurance: $200 - $500/month
- Supplies (soap, vending): $300 - $800/month
- Payment processing: $200 - $500/month (if using card/app payments)
Total monthly overhead: $5,200 - $19,300. The biggest variable is labor — many smaller laundromats operate unattended during some hours, with cameras and remote monitoring.
Revenue and profitability
Revenue depends on location, machine count, pricing, and turns per day (how many times each machine runs):
- Average turns per day: 3-6 for washers, 4-8 for dryers
- Revenue per square foot: $50 - $100/year
- Monthly revenue: $12,000 - $30,000
- Annual revenue: $150,000 - $300,000
- Net profit margin: 20-35%
- Annual profit: $30,000 - $100,000
The real wealth-building comes from adding wash-and-fold services (you charge by the pound — typically $1.50 to $2.50/lb) and pickup/delivery. These services generate higher margins and differentiate you from self-service competitors.
Financing options
- SBA loans — up to $5 million, 10-25 year terms, 10-20% down payment required. Best rates for qualified borrowers
- Equipment financing — manufacturers like Speed Queen and Dexter offer financing programs, sometimes with deferred payments
- Seller financing — when buying an existing laundromat, negotiate for the seller to finance part of the purchase price
- ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) — use 401(k) funds without early withdrawal penalties. Legal but complex — work with a specialist
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to open a laundromat?
New build: $200K-$500K. Buying existing: $50K-$250K. Equipment is the biggest expense at $100K-$300K for a new build. Average payback period: 3-5 years.
Is owning a laundromat profitable?
Yes — 20-35% net profit margins are typical. A $200K/year laundromat nets $40K-$70K in profit. The business is recession-resistant and can be semi-passive.
Can you open a laundromat with no money down?
Not truly zero, but SBA loans cover up to 90%. Expect to need 10-20% down ($20K-$100K). Equipment financing and seller financing can reduce upfront cash needed.