Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions by New Laundromat Owners

As a laundry equipment distributor, we get a lot of questions from new and potential laundromat investors looking to get their start in the laundry industry. Below are a few of the common questions our customers have regarding opening a laundromat, commercial laundry equipment, and the industry overall. Hopefully they will help point you in the right direction as you dive into planning and supporting your new business!

1. How much space do I need at my laundromat?

The average size of a new laundromat facility is 3,600 square feet, but they generally range in size from 1,500 to 6,000 square feet. The correct answer to this question depends on a lot of factors and your individual business plan. The services you want to offer, how many washers and dryers you want to have, your goals for future growth, and cost can all play a role in the amount of space you’ll need at your laundromat.

2. How many washers and dryers do I need?

This question usually goes hand in hand with the first. The number of commercial washers and dryers you’ll need depends largely on the size of your laundromat, the needs of potential customers, and services you want to offer. That being said, most laundromats have between 40 and 100 washers and dryers. Laundry equipment comes in a variety of sizes to work with various layouts and buildings.

3: What makes for a good laundromat location?

Laundromats generally do well in areas with a high percentage of renters, students, and low-income families. You may also want to look for locations with other need-based business nearby, like grocery stories, gas stations, and auto parts facilities.These types of businesses tend to attract a similar clientele and generally see a lot of traffic, so they can help generate name recognition and customers for your business simply by being in the same vicinity. Choosing an ideal location, whether you’re building a new location or purchasing an existing laundromat site, will be key to the success of your business.

4. Why should I partner with a laundry equipment distributor like Coin-O-Matic?

Connecting with a strong laundry equipment distributor is a really smart idea for laundromat investors. Partnering with a good distributor means you’ll get fast and efficient installation, ongoing technical and maintenance support, business consulting, and more throughout the life of your business. Laundry distributors will also work with you to find the right commercial laundry equipment to fit your specific facility and find creative financing solutions. If you’re interested in opening a coin laundry in the Illinois or northern Indiana area, we’d love to work with you.

5. Overall, how much do I need to invest?

The average range of investment is $100,000  to $300,000 up front. However, the answer to this question depends on a couple of factors, including how big of a business you want to open and how much you plan to finance. Coin-O-Matic has a a team dedicated to helping you find competitive financing options for your laundry equipment and laundromats.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re sure you’ll have lots more questions throughout your journey into the laundry industry, and we want to help you every step of the way. If you want to learn more about opening a laundromat, available equipment and financing options, or improving your business, our laundry experts are always willing to chat with you. Contact us any time!