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How to Save on Laundromat Operating Costs
Running a laundromat can be a lucrative business, but it can also be expensive. There are many ways to save money as a laundromat owner and in this blog post, we will discuss some of the best ways to keep your expenses down while still providing excellent service to your customers!
Laundry Equipment
One of the most effective ways to save on operating costs in a coin laundromat is to use energy-efficient laundry equipment. This can help you save on your utility costs by using less energy, as well as reduce your environmental footprint.
There are many different types of energy-efficient washers and dryers available on the market today, so be sure to do your research to find the best option for your needs. Investing in Energy Star certified equipment is a great way to keep that energy usage down.
The initial investment in new equipment for laundromat owners can be a big commitment but if you run the numbers right, it can potentially pay off in the end and lower your monthly utility costs. Make sure to do your due diligence.
Laundromat equipment can also be one of the biggest differentiators between a local competitor as well and standing out from your competition with highly efficient machines has the potential to bring in new customers.
Remember, you don’t have to switch out all of your equipment either. If the startup costs for switching all the machines out are too much, just do a few machines at a time. You can always upgrade when the time is right.
Switching your old commercial-grade equipment with high-efficiency washers and dryers can end up saving you a lot of money, and it’s something your customers will take notice of.
If your laundromat business isn’t an existing laundromat but one you are building from the ground up, definitely start with energy-efficient machines, the start-up costs will most likely be worth it in the long run.
Laundromat Software
Another way to reduce costs is to take advantage of laundry software. This type of software can help you manage your business more efficiently, and can also provide valuable insights into your customers’ laundering habits.
This information can be used to make changes that will save you money, such as adjusting your pricing or altering your wash cycle times.
The laundromat industry is seeing a lot of advancement in the past few years when it comes to software to help run your small business. One of the companies leading the way is Cents.
Cents software offers:
Advance POS system
Business management
Machine integration
Pick up and delivery
Cents boasts that using their software can lead to a 25% or more increase in revenue, 75% increase in efficiency, and more importantly to this article, stores can see up to a 99% decrease in lost bags.
That is a solid way to lower your laundry business operating expenses and increase profit margins.
While it might depend on the business structure you have in place, it is worth looking into to see if it will benefit your laundry business.
Marketing Expenses
Experimenting and finding the right marketing plan for your store is crucial in lowering the budget needed for marketing. Not all marketing will be effective for your laundry businesses, so finding the right marketing plan can lead to lowering operating costs.
One way to cut marketing costs is by using free or low-cost marketing methods, such as social media. You can run your own social media campaign to attract customers to your laundromat and engage with the local community.
If running your social media accounts sounds like a daunting task, then you can partner with a social media marketing company to help.
One of the Pro Perks here at Laundromat Resources is an offer with Centers Social. Centers Social is a social media management company dedicated to running and optimizing laundromat social media accounts for you!
Social media is playing a bigger role in marketing for laundromat businesses and having a professional team helping you can make a huge difference for your laundry business.
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You can also get creative with your marketing and come up with unique ways to promote your laundromat that don’t cost a lot of money, like:
Attending community events
Hosting events at your laundromat
Offer incentives for leaving reviews online
Offer coupons
Flyers
Sidewalk board advertising
All of these can be effective ways to market your laundromat businesses without having to spend much money doing it.
Commercial Liability Insurance
Laundromat owners should always carry liability insurance in case of accidents or injuries that occur on their property.
This insurance can help protect you from costly lawsuits and can provide peace of mind in knowing that you are covered in the event of an incident.
While the cost of commercial liability insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense, it is important to remember that one accident could easily cost more than the annual premium.
It is always better to be safe than sorry, and having this type of insurance in place can give you the peace of mind that you need to run your business successfully.
Accounting Software
Accounting software might not seem like something that can save on operating costs but it is similar in effect to insurance, it can save you from future expenses.
A few benefits of accounting software include:
Record keeping
Easier tax season
Future business planning
Financial snapshot
A key benefit for small business owners using accounting software is the ability to be organized come tax season.
As a business owner, you have to make sure you are staying tax compliant, and paying for software to help you stay within compliance can save you tens of thousands of dollars potentially.
How much does it cost for software compared to the potential fees you could pay if you mess something up one year. Invest in your business venture and protect yourself.
Tankless Water Heaters
Another way to reduce operating costs is by switching to a tankless water heater. A traditional tank water heating system can be inefficient, often losing a large amount of heat as the water sits in the tank or wasting energy.
Tankless water heaters can save you money in several ways. They’re efficient users of natural gas, and usage patterns enable them to save money over time. On busy days, they’re only used at the maximum output when needed. When there are few people around and the need for hot water is low, they aren’t being utilized as much.
Tankless water heaters also have a much longer lifespan than traditional tank water heaters, so you’ll save money in the long run.
While tankless water heaters might not be cost-effective for every coin laundry store and can carry a large initial investment, it is another option to look into for lowering your laundry business operating costs.
Detergents and Supplies
In addition to saving money on your energy costs, you can also save money on the detergents and other supplies that you use in your laundromat.
There are many ways to do this, but one of the best is to buy in bulk. You can often find good deals on laundry detergent when you buy it in larger quantities and it is easier to keep your laundry vending machines fully stocked, leading to better customer service. It can be an expense up front but worth it over time.
Find a good wholesale supplier to supply your coin laundry store and lower the overall cost of your supplies.
Energy Efficient Vending Machines
On a much smaller scale than the energy-efficient laundry equipment, add vending machines that are more energy-efficient. If your store has vending machines, switching to more efficient machines can lead to lower utility costs.
Finding any type of savings for laundromat businesses makes a big impact over time.
Laundromat Resource Pro Perks
Laundromat Resource has been working towards helping you achieve financial freedom through laundromat ownership by creating tools, resources, a podcast, a blog, a YouTube channel, and more since day 1.
The next evolution of our mission was to partner with other companies in the coin laundry industry to help you even more and we are always working to grow those Partnerships. The Pro Perks we have available at the moment are valued over $2,000!
The Laundromat Resource Pro Perks are a great resource to save you money and increase your growth potential for your business. Check out the different Pro Perks we have here!
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Conclusion
Operating costs can be a major expense for laundromats, but there are many ways to save money. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the best ways to reduce your expenses and keep your business running smoothly. Whether you’re looking to invest in energy-efficient equipment or switch to a tankless water heater, there are plenty of options for saving money on your laundromat operating costs.
Laundromat Resource is always looking for ways to help you save money and grow your business. Check out our website for more information on the Laundromat Resource Pro Perks program and how you can take advantage of our exclusive deals!
Form A Business Entity
The next step is to form a business entity. This will protect your personal assets in case your business is sued. The most common business entities are sole proprietorships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.
If you’re not sure which business entity is right for you, I recommend speaking with an attorney or accountant. They can help you decide which business entity makes the most sense for your laundromat business.
Get Your Business License
After you’ve formed your business entity, you’ll need to get a business license from the city or county where your laundromat will be located.
You may also need to get a state sales tax permit if you plan on selling laundry detergent or other products out of your laundromat.
To get your business license, you’ll need to fill out an application and pay a fee. The application process is usually pretty simple and can be done online.
If you’re not sure which licenses and permits you need, I recommend speaking with a local business attorney or the Small Business Administration (SBA). They can help you figure out which licenses and permits you need to operate your business.
Create a marketing plan
The next step is to create a marketing plan. This includes deciding how you will promote your laundry business and attract customers. Some marketing ideas for coin laundries include advertising in local newspapers and online, distributing flyers in the neighborhood, and offering discounts or loyalty programs. You can also utilize organic marketing and paid online advertising.
Make sure to track your marketing efforts so you can see what is working and adjust your strategy as needed. Determining your target market and thinking through how you can reach them is important for all small businesses.
You can head up your marketing initiatives yourself, but if you’re looking for professional marketing for your business then we have you covered. Laundromat Resource Marketing offers web design services, SEO services, branding, and paid online advertising services. We know laundromats and we know marketing and we can help you drive traffic to your laundromat or laundry service to grow your business! You can learn more about Laundromat Resource Marketing here.
Purchase laundry equipment
Now it’s time to purchase the commercial laundry equipment you need for your laundromat business. There are a wide variety of coin-operated washing machines and dryers available on the market, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase. You’ll also need to decide how many machines you need based on the size of your laundromat and the projected volume of customers.
When purchasing laundry equipment, it’s also important to consider energy efficiency and water conservation. Look for Energy Star certified washers and dryers that use less water and electricity. This will help you save money on utility bills and be more environmentally friendly.
Hire employees (if needed)
If you’re planning on hiring employees to help run your laundromat, it’s important to find individuals who are responsible and have customer service experience. You’ll also need to train your employees on how to properly use the laundry equipment and handle customer transactions.
It’s also a good idea to develop employee policies and procedures so everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them.
Opening day!
After all of the planning and preparation, it’s finally time for your coin laundry business to open its doors! You’re a laundromat owner!
Make sure you are prepared for opening day by having enough change on hand, stocking detergent and other supplies, and having any promotional materials ready.
Most importantly, make sure your customers have a positive experience at your laundromat so they will come back again. You’ve already created your business plan, now it’s time to execute your plan and wow your customers!
Congratulations on taking the first steps to start your own coin laundry business! These nine steps will help you get your business up and running smoothly.
Be sure to keep Laundromat Resource in mind as your one-stop shop for all things related to owning and operating a laundromat business. Consider joining the Pro Community to take advantage of the tools, resources, and partnerships we’ve created to help you succeed with your laundromat business! We wish you the best of luck in your new venture!
