How Much Does It Cost to Open a Laundromat?

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Opening a new laundromat usually costs several hundred thousand dollars. Gold Coin Laundry Equipment, a commercial laundry distributor, says a properly designed and equipped coin laundry can cost $250,000 to $600,000 or more. Wolters Kluwer puts startup costs at about $200,000 for a resale store up to $1 million for a brand-new facility. Buying an existing store can cost less: CLA, The Laundry Association, says coin laundries range in market value from $50,000 to more than $1 million.

Last updated: November 14, 2026.

Those ranges are wide because every store is different. Below is what goes into the budget, how much cash you usually need up front, and where owners find savings. If you are still deciding whether to open a store at all, start with how to start a laundromat. Our other owner guides are listed on the coin laundry and laundromats page.

Why startup costs vary so much

Gold Coin lists the factors that drive the cost of a new store: the location, the demographics of the area, the layout of the site, the size of the laundry, the sizes of the equipment, water heaters, water storage tanks, plumbing, and exhaust venting. A space that already has heavy water, gas, and sewer service needs less work than an empty retail shell. A store with many large washer-extractors costs more than one with a mix of smaller machines.

Building versus buying also changes the math. CLA’s industry overview explains that new laundries are valued on their actual construction and equipment costs, while existing laundries are valued mainly on net revenue. An older store with steady customers may sell for less than it would cost to build the same store today, or for more, if it earns well.

What goes into a laundromat startup budget

Use this list as a checklist when you collect quotes. Exact amounts depend on your market, so get written quotes from a distributor, a contractor, and your landlord rather than relying on national averages.

Cost	What it covers	What drives the price
Washers and dryers	Top-load and front-load washers, single and stacked dryers, controls	Number, capacity, brand, new or refurbished, coin or card controls
Water heating	Water heaters or boilers and storage tanks	Store size, hot-water demand, fuel type
Build-out	Plumbing, drains, gas lines, electrical service, dryer exhaust venting, make-up air, flooring, lighting, restroom	Condition of the space, local labor rates, code requirements
Payment and cash handling	Coin boxes, bill changers, card or app systems	Coin, card, or hybrid setup; number of machines
Fixtures	Folding tables, carts, seating, signage, cameras	Store size and finish level
Lease costs	Security deposit, first months of rent, common area charges	Market rents and lease terms
Permits and fees	Building permits, business licenses, utility connection or impact fees	City and county rules
Professional fees	Architect, attorney, accountant, consultant	Project complexity
Opening costs	Insurance, utility deposits, marketing, grand opening	Local rates and plans
Working capital	Cash to cover operating costs until revenue builds	Gold Coin suggests two to three months of operating costs

Equipment

For most new stores, washers and dryers are the largest single line. Published prices checked on November 14, 2026, give a sense of scale. At OEM Laundry Parts & Equipment, a Speed Queen coin-drop commercial top-load washer was listed at $1,558. At Laundry Owners Warehouse, B&C Technologies vended washer-extractors were listed from $8,810 for a 20-pound model to $28,180 for a 110-pound model, and an ADC 30-pound stack dryer at $11,677. Multiply by 20, 30, or 40 machines and the equipment budget quickly reaches six figures. Our laundromat equipment cost guide has a fuller price table, refurbished prices, and service-life figures.

Build-out and utilities

A laundromat needs far more water, drain, gas, electrical, and exhaust capacity than a typical store. Gold Coin names water heaters, storage tanks, plumbing, and exhaust venting among the main cost drivers. Manufacturer specifications show why. Dexter’s published specifications for its 30-pound vended stack dryer, for example, list gas use of 90,000 BTU per hour, an 8-inch exhaust, 18 inches of clearance behind the machine, and 1.5 square feet of make-up air, as shown on this distributor’s spec page. Every dryer in the store adds to the venting and gas load.

Utility capacity is something CLA tells you to analyze during due diligence, before you sign. A space that needs a larger gas meter, a new electrical service, or bigger drain lines can add a lot to the project.

Impact fees and permits

Some cities charge impact fees on new construction that connects to the city’s water, sewer, or irrigation system. Gold Coin says those fees can range from a few dollars per machine to several thousand, depending on the city, and that buying an existing laundromat usually avoids them, though an older store may need work to meet current code. CLA’s step-by-step guide tells buyers and builders to estimate impact fees and the permitting timeline during due diligence. See our guide to laundromat permits for the usual approvals.

How much cash you need up front

Most owners finance a large part of the project. CLA’s step-by-step guide says 15 to 30 percent of the project cost in liquid capital is typical. Gold Coin generally recommends having about 30 percent of the purchase price available for a new laundromat, assuming you can finance the balance, plus insurance, escrow charges, utility deposits, and a reserve of two to three months of operating costs.

Here is how that works out on a few example project sizes. These are illustrations of the percentages, not quotes for any real store.

Example total project cost	15 percent	30 percent
$250,000	$37,500	$75,000
$400,000	$60,000	$120,000
$600,000	$90,000	$180,000

The operating reserve comes on top of that. The SBA’s 7(a) loan program can cover equipment purchase and installation, real estate improvements, furniture and fixtures, working capital, and changes of ownership, up to $5 million. Equipment distributors and equipment lenders also offer financing, which CLA lists as one of the routes to get pre-qualified early.

Building vs. buying: which costs less?

It depends on the store. An existing laundromat is usually priced on its earnings. CLA says most sell for three to five times net cash flow. A store with modest earnings can cost much less than a new build, while a busy, modern store may cost as much or more. Buying usually avoids impact fees and the long construction period, but you may inherit aging machines, a short lease, or code issues. CLA’s published service-life standards, such as 10 to 15 years for front-load washers and dryers, help you judge how soon a purchased store will need new equipment. Our guide to buying a laundromat walks through valuation and due diligence.

What it costs to keep the doors open

Startup cost is only the beginning. Wolters Kluwer suggests planning for about $4,000 to $8,500 a month in ongoing expenses, and says ongoing expenses can run 65 percent or more of gross income. Gold Coin says utilities alone often average 15 to 25 percent of monthly gross income with efficient equipment, and can exceed 30 percent with older, less efficient machines. CLA’s step-by-step guide suggests targeting rent at no more than roughly 10 to 25 percent of gross sales. Our guide to running a laundromat breaks down the monthly costs line by line.

Ways to lower startup costs

Buy instead of build. An existing store with working equipment and utilities can cost less up front than a full build-out and opens sooner.
Consider refurbished machines. Refurbished commercial washers are widely sold. Midwest Laundries, for example, listed a rebuilt 2017 Speed Queen 40-pound coin washer at $4,800 on November 14, 2026. Weigh the savings against shorter warranties and the remaining service life.
Choose efficient equipment. ENERGY STAR says certified commercial clothes washers are on average 9 percent more efficient and use about 45 percent less water than standard models. Lower utility bills do not cut startup cost, but they affect how much you can afford to borrow.
Negotiate the lease. Ask about tenant-improvement allowances, rent-free months during build-out, and exclusivity in the center.
Right-size the store. CLA says stores usually occupy 1,000 to 5,000 square feet. A smaller store with the right machine mix for the neighborhood can cost much less than a large showpiece.

Frequently asked questions

Can you open a laundromat for $50,000?

A new build for that amount is unlikely. Gold Coin’s range for a properly designed and equipped new store starts at $250,000. CLA says the market value of existing coin laundries starts at around $50,000, so a small, older store may be within reach as a purchase, but expect older equipment and lower earnings at that price.

What is the monthly cost to run a laundromat?

Wolters Kluwer suggests budgeting about $4,000 to $8,500 a month, but your rent, utility rates, payroll, and machine count will decide the real figure. See how to run a laundromat for the main cost categories.

It varies with the store, but equipment is usually one of the largest lines. Add up quoted prices for your planned machine count, then add installation, freight, payment hardware, and water heating. Our equipment cost guide shows current listed prices.

How long does it take to earn the money back?

There is no standard answer. It depends on what the store earns after expenses and loan payments. CLA says coin laundries can generate cash flow from $15,000 to $300,000 a year. See how much a laundromat makes to estimate earnings for a specific store.

Is there a calculator for startup costs?

The SBA offers a free guide to calculating startup costs. If you are comparing what customers pay to wash at home and at a laundromat, our laundry cost calculator does that side of the math.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Laundromat?

Why startup costs vary so much