Laundromat Startup Cost Calculator

Laundromat startup cost calculator

Estimate the total cost to open a laundromat, plus the equity you need.

Equipment (washers & dryers)

New commonly $80k-300kBuildout & construction

Plumbing, electrical, gas, HVACLease deposits & first rent

Permits, licenses & legal

Signage, security & fit-out

Water heater, card system, etc.Working-capital reserve

6-12 months of runwayContingency

Your equity injection

SBA is often 10-20%

Total startup cost$464,500

Build & equipment subtotal$395,000

Contingency (10%)$39,500

Working-capital reserve$30,000

Equity needed (20%)$92,900

Amount to finance$371,600

Well-budgeted

This budget includes a working-capital reserve and a contingency, which is what keeps a new store solvent through a slow opening stretch.

This is the cost to build from scratch. Buying an existing store is often cheaper and comes with cash flow from day one. Compare with the valuation calculator, and model the loan on the amount to finance with the SBA loan calculator.

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This is an educational estimate, not financial advice or a formal valuation. Confirm all figures with the seller's records and your own advisors.

How to read your result

The total startup cost is equipment plus buildout, deposits, permits, and fit-out, times a contingency, plus a working-capital reserve to carry the store until it turns a profit.

The two biggest lines are almost always equipment and buildout. A space that already has the plumbing and power for laundry costs far less to open than raw retail.

Building is often more expensive than buying an existing store, which comes with cash flow from day one. Weigh both before you commit.

Key terms on this calculator

Buildout

The construction to make a space run laundry: plumbing, electrical, gas, venting, and HVAC. Commonly the largest single cost after equipment.

Working-capital reserve

Cash to cover rent, utilities, and payroll in the months before the store is profitable. Plan for six to twelve months.

Contingency

A buffer, often around 10%, for the overruns that new builds almost always hit. Leaving it out is how projects run out of money.

Equity injection

The share of the project you fund yourself. SBA acquisition and construction loans commonly want 10% to 20% down.

Build vs buy

The core decision: build a new store (higher cost, full control, no customers yet) or buy an existing one (cash flow from day one, priced on its earnings).

See the full glossary →

How much does it cost to open a laundromat?

Opening a laundromat in 2026 commonly runs from about $200,000 to over $1,000,000, with most new builds landing in the $300,000 to $750,000 range. A small store in a space that is already plumbed for laundry can come in lower, while a large, full-service build with premium equipment can exceed a million. The number depends mostly on square footage, equipment, and how much construction the location needs.

Key takeaways

Most new builds cost about $300k to $750k all in.
Equipment and buildout are the two biggest lines.
Budget a contingency and 6 to 12 months of working capital.
Buying an existing store is often cheaper and cash-flowing.

What does it cost by store size?

Cost scales with square footage and machine count. These bands are a rough guide to the all-in cost to open by approach.

All-in cost to open by size (in thousands). A space already plumbed for laundry lands lower; a ground-up build with premium equipment lands higher.

The main cost categories

Here is where the money goes, with rough 2026 ranges. Your quote will vary by market and by how much work the space needs.

Category	Typical range	Notes
Equipment	$80k to $300k+	Washers and dryers; scales with machine count.
Buildout	$150k to $600k	Plumbing, electrical, gas, venting, HVAC, floors.
Deposits & rent	$10k to $30k	Security deposit plus first and last month.
Permits & legal	$3k to $12k	Permits, licenses, and business formation.
Working capital	$20k to $100k	Runway until the store is profitable.

Should you build or buy?

Building lets you design the store and put in new, efficient machines, but it is expensive and you open with zero customers and a ramp to profitability. Buying an existing laundromat usually costs less up front, comes with proven cash flow, and can be financed against those earnings. Many first-time owners find buying the lower-risk path. Run the numbers both ways: use this tool for the build, and the valuation calculator and cost-to-buy guide for the alternative. When you have a number to finance, model it in the SBA loan calculator.

Common mistakes to avoid

Underbudgeting the buildout, especially plumbing and electrical.
Skipping the contingency, then running out of cash mid-project.
Opening with no reserve to survive a slow first few months.
Choosing raw retail space when a former laundry would cost far less.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a laundromat?

In 2026, opening a laundromat commonly costs between about $200,000 and $1,000,000, with most new builds in the $300,000 to $750,000 range. A small store in a space already set up for laundry can cost less, while a large full-service build with premium equipment can exceed a million. Equipment and buildout are the biggest drivers.

What is the biggest startup cost for a laundromat?

Equipment and buildout, by a wide margin. New washers and dryers commonly run $80,000 to $300,000 or more, and the construction to install plumbing, electrical, gas, and venting can run $150,000 to $600,000. A space that was previously a laundromat costs far less to open because much of that infrastructure already exists.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a laundromat?

Buying an existing laundromat is often cheaper up front and comes with cash flow from day one, which also makes it easier to finance. Building gives you a brand-new store with efficient equipment but costs more and starts with no customers. For many first-time owners, buying is the lower-risk option.

How much cash do I need to open a laundromat?

Beyond the build cost, plan for a working-capital reserve of six to twelve months (often $20,000 to $100,000) and, if you finance it, an equity injection of roughly 10% to 20% of the project. The reserve is what carries the store through a slow opening stretch, so do not skip it.