How much do you have to put down to buy a laundromat?

Author: Prof. Jewell Tromp II  |  Last update: Sunday, March 2, 2025

Often you'll need to put down anywhere from 25%-40% of the purchase price to qualify for a loan. This means for a $500,000 loan you'll need to come up with anywhere from $125,000-$200,000 for the down payment, not including all of the other expenses you face when you purchase a laundromat.

How much do you need for a downpayment on a laundromat?

Tina Gough, senior finance sales specialist, Alliance Laundry Systems: If it is a new investor getting into the industry, there is a down payment requirement of 15-30%, depending on the type of transaction (new build, acquisition of an existing laundry that is opened and operating).

How much money do I need to invest in a laundromat?

Initial costs range from $200,000 to $500,000, encompassing purchase or leasing, renovations, equipment, and legal expenses. The exact figure varies based on location, size, and equipment quality. What are the costs and risks of owning a laundromat?

What credit score is needed to buy a laundromat?

You'll need to have been in business for six months and bring in $10,000 in monthly revenue. If you satisfy those conditions and have a credit score of 650 or higher, you can qualify for a business line of credit.

Can I get a loan to buy a laundromat?

SBA Loan for Laundromat

The SBA is a government organization that offers specific programs for loans considered higher risk, like laundromat businesses. They are based on the value of your overall collateral, which could be the equipment required for your business as well as real estate property you own.

How to buy a laundromat in 2025

Do you need an LLC to buy a laundromat?

While not legally required, there's a compelling case for starting your laundromat as a limited liability company (LLC).

Is it hard owning a laundromat?

How to Best Operate a Laundromat. Running a Laundromat is simple, but creating or maintaining a successful laundromat takes hard work. An owner does not need to be in the laundromat every day, but they must understand their customers, equipment and competition.

How much is insurance for a laundromat?

Monthly General Liability insurance costs for laundromat

Exploregeneral liability insurance costs. Most of our customers can expect to pay: Between $54 and $257 per month.

How do I become a laundromat owner?

How to start a laundromat business
  1. Decide on a business model. ...
  2. Write your business plan. ...
  3. Understand the startup costs to open a laundromat. ...
  4. Assess the ongoing expenses to run a laundromat. ...
  5. Calculate how much your laundromat will make in profits. ...
  6. Determine how you will charge laundromat customers. ...
  7. Pick your business structure.

How to buy a business with no money down?

Tips for Buying a Business with No Money Down
  1. Look for an Owner Who is Ready to Get Out. ...
  2. Look for an Underperforming Business. ...
  3. Offer a Higher Interest Rate/Larger Payment in Exchange for Your Labor. ...
  4. Bring on a Silent Partner. ...
  5. Find a Secondary Source of Financing. ...
  6. Raise the Capital Through Crowdfunding.

What permits do I need to open a laundromat?

Here's what you need for a laundry business.
  • Health permit. This can be obtained from your county's health department.
  • Water Pollution Control Permit. Not every state requires this, but some may. ...
  • Sales Tax Permit. If you plan to sell additional services or products in your laundromat, you will need a sales tax permit.

Can you start a laundromat with 100K?

Entrepreneurs normally spend between $100K and $1 million to start a new laundromat or buy a laundry business for sale. Dave suggests that you should normally spend between two and five times revenue, but that you should base your business valuation on what it's worth to you.

How much does 1 laundromat make a year?

By now, you know that the average laundromat makes $300K annually with 20% to 30% profit margins.

Is it better to start a laundromat or buy one?

Buying an Existing Laundromat

That means taking over an existing laundromat is less of a risk. Having the financial information and business plan in place means you can act more as a manager and work to grow and improve the laundromat, instead of starting from the ground up.

What is the minimum investment in laundry business?

Laundry pickup and delivery model has seen rapid growth, especially post-pandemic, and now represents about 40% of the organized laundry market. Initial investments range from ₹10-20 lakhs ($12,000-$24,000 USD), with potential monthly revenues of ₹1.5-3 lakhs ($1,800-$3,600 USD).

How much should I budget for a laundromat?

Generally, we advise business owners to budget for at least $200-$300+ per square foot for laundry equipment, amenities, and the buildout of an existing vanilla box. Typical laundromats range from 2,000 to over 5,000 square feet, costing $400,000 to over $1,000,000 all in.

Do I need an LLC to buy a laundromat?

For most laundromat owners (and most entrepreneurs in general), an LLC is the best choice. That's because you'll have fewer regulatory requirements than S Corps or C Corps, but you'll be able to keep your personal assets separate from your business assets — something you couldn't do with a sole proprietorship.

Can a laundromat make you a millionaire?

We talked to the Laundromat Millionaire, Dave Menz, who owns four laundromats and makes nearly $2 million annually. He even helps other business owners navigate the industry to get more customers, become a full-service laundromat, and outshine absentee owners.

How much cash do you need to start a laundromat?

On a typical scale, launching a laundromat will set you back anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000. Your financial footprint hinges on whether you're breathing new life into an existing establishment or embarking on a ground-up venture, coupled with the prevailing real estate climate in your locale.

What are the cons to owning a laundromat?

The Cons of Owning a Laundromat:
  • Significant Upfront Investment: One of the primary hurdles in the laundromat business is the substantial initial investment required. ...
  • Ongoing Equipment Maintenance: ...
  • Competition Concerns: ...
  • Staffing Challenges: ...
  • Utility Costs: ...
  • Seasonal Fluctuations: ...
  • Security Concerns: ...
  • Changing Technology:

How much is LLC insurance?

Finding out how much LLC insurance costs at the professional level will vary depending on your location, the number of employees you have, and more. On average, though, an LLC owner might be looking at a price tag of anywhere between $500 to $1,000 on professional liability insurance.

What are the risks of a laundromat?

“Fires pose a serious problem to laundromats. “ According to Jim Everitt, a code consultant and owner of Everitt and Associates, the biggest fire-related risk is lint. Your stores must have lint under control, which means installing the proper equipment and keeping everything in good working order.

Is a laundromat a high risk business?

A coin-operated laundromat can be a profitable business, but there's also a high risk of it attracting thieves. You'll also need to keep cash on hand to provide customers with change for the washers and dryers.

Can I get an SBA loan to buy a laundromat?

SBA 504 loans offer a number of benefits for laundromats and dry cleaners. These loans can be used to purchase the real estate to construct a new facility, build the facility itself, renovate, improve, or retrofit an existing facility, and pay for equipment.

Do you need a business license to own a laundromat?

Yes, a business license is required to open a laundromat. Depending on where your laundromat will operate, more than one license may be necessary. Some municipalities require a local business license as well as one at the county or state level.

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