How much does it cost to open a laundromat? Estimate your total startup cost — commercial washers and dryers, buildout and renovation, permits, payment systems, and working capital — based on your store size, equipment counts, location, and add-ons.
Auto-fills from store size — adjust to match your exact space.
The default settings reflect a typical new laundromat: a medium 2,000 sq ft suburban store with 16 washers and 16 dryers and a card payment system — about $205,800 to $474,000 to open. Adjust the options to match your planned store.
Profile: Medium store, 2,000 sq ft, 16 washers + 16 dryers, card/app payment system, suburban location (×1.00), no add-ons
Components: Lease 12,000–25,000; buildout 100,000–200,000; washers 40,000–112,000; dryers 32,000–80,000; card system 6,000–15,000; permits 1,500–5,000; insurance 2,500–6,000; supplies 800–2,000; marketing 1,000–4,000; working capital 10,000–25,000
Calculation: Subtotal 205,800–474,000 × 1.00 (suburban) = $205,800–$474,000
Profile: Same medium store, 2,000 sq ft, 16 washers + 16 dryers, card/app payment system, urban location (×1.15), no add-ons
Calculation: $205,800 × 1.15 (urban) = $236,670; $474,000 × 1.15 (urban) = $545,100
Profile: Small store, 1,200 sq ft, 10 washers + 10 dryers, coin-operated, rural location (×0.85), no add-ons
Components: Lease 8,000–15,000; buildout 60,000–120,000 ($50–$100/sq ft × 1,200); washers 25,000–70,000; dryers 20,000–50,000; coin +$0; permits 1,500–5,000; insurance 2,500–6,000; supplies 800–2,000; marketing 1,000–4,000; working capital 10,000–25,000
Calculation: Subtotal 128,800–297,000 × 0.85 (rural) = $109,480–$252,450
Note: These examples are for illustration purposes only. Actual laundromat startup costs vary by city, building condition, equipment brands, and financing terms. Always build a detailed local budget before committing to a lease or purchasing equipment.
Buildout & renovation = $50–$100 per sq ft (plumbing, electrical, flooring, paint)
Washers = $2,500–$7,000 each × number of washers
Dryers = $2,000–$5,000 each × number of dryers
Location multiplier = Rural ×0.85, Suburban ×1.00, Urban ×1.15, High-Cost Metro ×1.30
Attendant staffing = added after the multiplier as a fixed annual cost (+$35,000–$60,000/yr)
| Component | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Lease Deposit & First Months (Small) | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Lease Deposit & First Months (Medium) | $12,000 | $25,000 |
| Lease Deposit & First Months (Large) | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| Buildout & Renovation (per sq ft) | $50 | $100 |
| Commercial Washer (each) | $2,500 | $7,000 |
| Commercial Dryer (each) | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Card/App Payment System | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Hybrid Payment System | $8,000 | $20,000 |
| Permits, Licenses & Legal | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Insurance (First Year) | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Initial Supplies & Chemicals | $800 | $2,000 |
| Marketing & Signage | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Working Capital (3-Month Buffer) | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Attendant Staffing (per year) | $35,000 | $60,000 |
| Vending & Amenities | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Folding Tables & Seating | $1,500 | $4,000 |
| Water Recycling System | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Location Type | Multiplier | Example Effect on a $205,800–$474,000 Subtotal |
|---|---|---|
| Rural | ×0.85 | $174,930 – $402,900 |
| Suburban | ×1.00 | $205,800 – $474,000 |
| Urban | ×1.15 | $236,670 – $545,100 |
| High-Cost Metro | ×1.30 | $267,540 – $616,200 |
Select the size class that matches your planned store — small (1,000–1,500 sq ft), medium (1,500–2,500 sq ft), or large (2,500–4,000 sq ft). The square footage field auto-fills with the midpoint of your range; adjust it to your exact space and the buildout cost (at $50–$100 per sq ft) updates automatically.
Enter how many commercial washers and dryers you plan to install, then pick your location type — the location multiplier adjusts every component for local construction and real estate costs, from rural (×0.85) to high-cost metro (×1.30). Choose your payment system: coin, card/app, or hybrid.
Check any add-ons you want to include, such as attendant staffing (added as a fixed annual cost after the location multiplier) or a water recycling system. Review the step-by-step breakdown to see every cost component with its low and high estimate before you start budgeting with real quotes.
Remember: The formula uses national average equipment and construction costs. Local labor rates, building condition, and equipment brands can move your real budget by 20% or more in either direction. Use this tool to size your project, then get local quotes from contractors and equipment dealers.
Equipment is the biggest line item — typically 40–50% of the total budget. Commercial washers run $2,500–$7,000 each and dryers $2,000–$5,000 each, so a standard 16-washer, 16-dryer store costs $72,000–$192,000 in machines alone. Prices depend on capacity (30 lb vs. 60 lb washers), energy efficiency, and brand — top-tier machines like Huebsch, Speed Queen, and Electrolux carry premiums but hold value and need fewer repairs.
Buildout and renovation is the other big chunk. Laundromats need heavy-duty plumbing, high-capacity electrical service, ventilation, and commercial flooring — expect $50–$100 per square foot. That's $100,000–$200,000 for a 2,000 sq ft store before you buy a single machine. If the space already has plumbing stubs and adequate electrical (common in former laundromats or converted storefronts), you can stay near the low end; a bare shell in a strip mall will run closer to the high end.
Location moves everything. Our location multiplier adjusts the whole subtotal from ×0.85 in rural areas to ×1.30 in high-cost metros, reflecting differences in construction labor, lease rates, and permit fees. Working capital (3 months of rent, utilities, and payroll) and a first-year insurance policy round out the budget — the items new owners most often forget when they plan their first store.
On the revenue side, a typical wash or dry cycle costs customers $3–$5, and well-located machines average 30–60 cycles per week. A store with 16 washers running 40 cycles per week at an average $4 per cycle generates roughly $2,560 per week — about $133,000 per year in gross revenue before rent, utilities, and other operating costs. Adding larger-capacity washers (which command $6–$10 per load) and dryers that charge per 8-minute increment pushes the average ticket higher.
Location density is the single biggest revenue driver. Stores near apartment complexes without in-unit laundry, college campuses, and working-class neighborhoods see the highest machine utilization. Card and app payment systems typically lift revenue per machine by 10–30% in these markets because customers load more value than they spend in one visit, and owners gain remote monitoring of machine status and earnings.
Utilities are the main cost of running a laundromat — water, gas, and electricity can consume 25–35% of revenue. Energy-efficient machines, water recycling systems, and right-sized dryers directly protect your margin. Most owners who finance their buildout and equipment expect to break even in 2–5 years, with the store becoming strongly cash-flow positive once the debt is retired.
⚠️ General Estimate Only: These startup cost estimates are based on national averages (2025). Actual costs vary by city, equipment brands, and building condition, and results are estimates — not financial advice. Financing and used equipment can significantly reduce the upfront cost. Always build a detailed local budget with contractor and equipment dealer quotes before signing a lease or committing capital.
Beyond the numbers in this calculator, research your local market before opening: population density, household income, competition, and zoning all affect both your buildout cost and your revenue potential. Visit nearby laundromats to observe machine utilization, and talk to commercial landlords about tenant improvement allowances — many will contribute to your buildout to secure a long-term lease.