Setting Up Your First Laundromat: A Checklist

Opening a laundromat involves more moving parts than most first-time owners expect. This checklist covers the essentials in the order you'll need to address them.

Location and Lease

Secure a location with adequate plumbing capacity, gas lines, electrical service, and ventilation potential. Your lease should include terms for equipment installation, signage rights, and CAM (common area maintenance) costs. Get the lease reviewed by a commercial real estate attorney before signing.

Permits and Licenses

Business license, building permits for any construction, plumbing permits, gas permits, sign permits, and a certificate of occupancy. Requirements vary by city and county — check with your local planning department early. Permit delays are the most common cause of delayed openings.

Utilities Setup

Commercial water, gas, and electrical accounts. Get utility companies out to verify capacity before you commit to a location. A 30-machine laundromat needs significant water flow and gas capacity — not every commercial space can support it without infrastructure upgrades.

Equipment Selection and Order

Choose your washer and dryer brands, sizes, and quantities. Order early — equipment lead times can be 8-16 weeks. Work with your distributor on layout planning to maximize machines per square foot while maintaining comfortable customer flow.

Build-Out

Plumbing, gas lines, electrical, drainage, flooring, paint, and HVAC. Use contractors with commercial laundry experience if possible. Generic commercial contractors often underestimate the plumbing and drainage requirements.

Customer-Facing Setup

Folding tables, seating, carts, trash cans, signage, and vending machines. Install soap tray organizer kits on all washers before opening — starting with organized machines sets the standard from day one. Mount card holders near the entrance with business cards and pricing info.

Payment System

Coin, card, app, or hybrid. Install and test every machine's payment mechanism before opening. Nothing kills a first impression like machines that don't accept payment on day one.

Insurance

General liability, property, equipment breakdown, business interruption, and workers' comp (if hiring). Have policies in place before you accept your first customer.

Marketing

Google Business Profile set up with hours, photos, and contact info. Basic signage visible from the street. Grand opening pricing or promotion. These three things are enough for launch — you can build more sophisticated marketing later.