The Costs
How much does it cost to set up a Laundromat?
The cost of setting up a laundry business depends on many factors and you will have to conduct your own research to determine how much money you will need to raise.
There are various suppliers around the country that will be able to give you quotes on buying new or reconditioned machines.
You could also consider leasing the equipment. The needs will be based on the size of the laundry as well as the kind of services you intend to offer.
Suppliers
Speed Queen has supplied the commercial laundry industry for many years throughout South Africa. Contact Speed Queen and these suppliers for price details:
- Laundry Equipment Service
- Cater Zone
- Laundry Online
Staff costs
Contact Laundromat owners and ask them what the going salary rate is for staff. There are also franchises available in South Africa, such as Fresh Laundry, a new domestic laundry franchise. It will also be able to give you the information you require. Click on the Entrepreneur franchise directory for details.
How much money can be made owning a laundry?
The amount of money you can make from a laundry varies tremendously. If you’re planning on operating just one or two laundries, you’ll be in good company. Three quarters of laundry owners own only one shop, and very few have more than two.“There are a few local chains starting to grow in various parts of the country, but 99% are privately owned”.
A little more than half of laundry owners operate their business full-time. Others take the moonlighting approach – they manage other businesses or work a day job. But more laundry owners are starting to own larger shops and more than one.
These people are able to survive on the income larger stores or multiple stores generate.“It is a good, steady cash income”, explains Lehmbeck. The steady income that a laundry generates is a plus for many people.
If you’re looking for a business that will keep cash flowing no matter what the rest of the economy is doing, you’ve found it in laundries. Clean clothes are a necessity, not a luxury, so people are going to Laundromats no matter how the stock market is performing. The business is fairly steady, month in and month out.