Opening a brand new laundromat in Canada is an exciting endeavor that can be quite lucrative if done correctly in a good location. There isn't a lot of readily available information when it comes to pursuing laundry as a business venture; we're here to help solve that problem. Our most seasoned Sales Representative- with over 30 years of experience- has put together a "Wish List" so to speak of what to expect and look for as you plan your next business venture. 

The first step on your journey is to decide if you are comfortable with the budget required to establish a profitable and successful operation. Generally speaking, equipment costs will run between $200 to $300 per square foot and construction costs are typically around $100 to $150 per square foot (THIS CAN VARY GREATLY DEPENDING ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE). 

The next step is site selection. Once you have a location or two that ticks as many boxes as possible, give us a call! One of our representatives will visit and appraise the site, take measurements, prepare some conceptual layouts, look at area demographics and prepare a formal quotation including a revenue forecast. 

Here is an ideal "wish list" of attributes to look for when selecting a location:

1) Small, medium (or larger, in some cases) strip plaza. Preferably with an "anchor" (grocery, variety, coffee shop, etc.). Standalone properties can also work well (e.g.: an older Tim Hortons or similar). 2) Located in an area of medium to high density housing, preferably with a higher percentage of renters.
3) Single story (no office or residence overhead) with slab on grade construction (concrete floors and no basement).
4) Ample parking directly in front of, or in close proximity to, your front door.
5) Plenty of natural light...lots of windows and clear visibility through most or all of the store from the outside.
6) Infrastructure should have 1.5"- 2" water supply (min.), 6"- 8" sanitary (min), 400 amp electrical (variable, depending on 1 or 3 phase at the building) and gas supply for at least 4 - 5 million BTU (also variable).
7) If leasing, a 10-year initial lease with at least 2 or more five-year renewal options is ideal. Most leases these days are in 5-year blocks. It will be virtually impossible to find a location that ticks all the boxes above, especially the infrastructure items as some or all of these usually need upgrading and that (usually) becomes part of your build costs. 

We hope that this gives you a good starting point. Reach out to us if you have any questions!