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How to Start or Buy a Laundromat

Laundromats are capital-intensive but operationally simple. The lease and the utility bills matter as much as the machines, which is why many first-time owners buy an existing store instead of building one.

Reviewed November 5, 2026 · Sources linked inline

Startup costs

We haven't found a reliable published cost range for this business, so we don't show one. Costs vary widely by market, equipment and whether you buy new or used. Plug your own quotes into the worksheet:

Open a laundromat cost worksheet →

SBA 7(a) loans in this industry

Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners (NAICS 812310): 484 loans approved in FY2024–FY2026. Median loan $490,000; middle half $150,750–$1,000,000.

Loan size is not startup cost — these loans also fund acquisitions, real estate and working capital. Full breakdown and caveats →

How much competition is there?

Census industry: Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners (NAICS 812310)

Nationwide: 10,890 employer establishments (2023) and 9,224 businesses without employees (2024).

See counts for your county → Counts aren't a measure of saturation — see the caveats on the tool page.

Equipment and supplies

  • Commercial front-load washers in several capacities
  • Stack dryers
  • Commercial water heater
  • Card/app payment system
  • Folding tables, carts, seating
  • Security cameras

Licenses and registration

  • Register your business entity.
  • Local business license and certificate of occupancy for the space.
  • Building, plumbing and mechanical permits for any build-out.
  • Sewer/wastewater permits or capacity fees may apply — confirm with the utility.
  • Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you will hire employees or form an LLC or corporation. Beware of sites that charge for this. [source]
  • Register an LLC or corporation with your state's business registration office (sole proprietors usually register a trade name/DBA instead). [source]

Insurance to consider

  • Property and equipment coverage
  • General liability (slip-and-fall)
  • Business interruption
  • Workers' comp if you employ attendants

Get quotes from several carriers or an independent agent; coverage needs depend on your contracts, state and staff.

Financing options

  • SBA 7(a) loans — the SBA's main guaranteed loan program, made through participating lenders. [source]
  • SBA Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders. [source]
  • SBA Lender Match — a free tool that connects you with interested SBA lenders. [source]
  • Free counseling from your local SBDC or SCORE chapter can help you build the business plan lenders ask for. [source]

Estimate payments with the loan calculator, then check runway with the cash flow projection.

Ongoing operating expenses

  • Rent and CAM charges
  • Water, sewer, gas, electric
  • Equipment repairs
  • Attendant labor
  • Insurance
  • Card-processing fees

Use the break-even calculator to see how many jobs or sales cover them, and the employee cost calculator for staffing.

Common mistakes

  • Signing a short lease — the equipment outlives it
  • Trusting seller revenue claims without utility bills
  • Underestimating sewer and water costs
  • Ignoring nearby competition and demographics

Finding customers

  • Google Business Profile with hours and prices
  • Wash-and-fold and pickup/delivery services
  • Loyalty cards
  • Clean, safe, well-lit store

Startup checklist

Ticks are saved on this device and appear on My plan.

Compare with other businesses

Sources