We are used to seeing self-service laundries in foreign films, and episodes filmed in such places are a fairly common occurrence in foreign cinema.
Such a picture does not cause us any surprise or bewilderment, while we mostly wash ourselves at home in our own automatic machine or in an ordinary plastic basin.
Going to the laundry room - how is that? Yes, and where to find one? If in the West this service has become something integral, in the countries of the former Soviet Union it is only emerging, and very slowly and uncertainly. The reason is simple - we have a different mentality. People are used to living in one place for years, and to solve all economic issues on their own, at home.
In America and in Europe, the population is more mobile. Throughout life, a person can change a bunch of areas and cities, moving in search of a better place of work, life, and simply out of a desire to change something. Many live in rented apartments, go to lunch at a nearby cafe, and wash their clothes in the laundry room, without worrying about buying a washing machine.
Does a different way of life make this business impossible in our country? Not at all. If you approach his organization correctly and convincingly tell people about a new, but very useful service for them, then the idea will work with us. If this direction seemed interesting and necessary to you, first of all draw up a self-service laundry business plan, think about where and how to open it, and then proceed with the implementation of the idea. There are practically no competitors in this niche. And business can become very profitable.
What do you need to open a laundry room?
The organization of this business is actually nothing complicated. The main issues that you need to decide before opening your own laundry are:
- choose a good location;
- rent a room that meets the requirements of SES;
- purchase and install equipment;
- conduct an advertising campaign of his laundry;
- hire an employee to monitor the use of machines.
In general, all these points are easily solved. Start by finding a suitable place.
Where will we open?
In the West, self-service laundries are located everywhere. If there are residential buildings nearby, then the service will be in demand. Unfortunately, it’s not so simple here. Families and those who live in their own apartment are unlikely to use laundry services (with rare exceptions). Therefore, bet should be placed on other categories of the population. First of all, these are people living in dormitories.
It can be both students and the working population. If a mini-launderette appears nearby (literally around the corner) from the student dormitory, then it will be 99% successful. Firstly, young people have no time to do household chores, they have study and entertainment.
Secondly, this is often nowhere to do or very inconvenient. In addition, young people are well aware of everything new. And if you still open a launderette with an emphasis on Western culture, then the place may even become fashionable. Remember how in foreign films the heroes not only wash their clothes, but also communicate, and even get to know each other in laundries.
A few more successful location options are near hostels and economy hotels, boarding houses and sanatoriums, inpatient medical facilities, and military units. A self-service laundry business plan should include development prospects.Perhaps in the future it will be possible to try your luck in the sleeping areas of the city, because some live in rented apartments, and bachelors will not mind using the services of such a service (if they are told correctly about it).
We select a room
Once we have decided on the area, you need to look for a suitable room. It should not be very large, but have at least 30-40 squares of "clean" area. Ideally, it should not be located separately, but on the first or ground floor of "actively operated" buildings (for example, next to a popular pharmacy or grocery store). In addition, the requirements of SES regarding communications and a number of other indicators should be observed in the premises itself:
- hot and cold water supply;
- the presence of exhaust and supply ventilation;
- electricity - 380/220 volts, for the whole room at least 25-50 kW of power;
- Sewer required.
On average, a monthly rental of a small room will cost 30-50 thousand rubles.
We buy equipment
The most important article in the self-service laundry business plan is equipment. It determines this type of household services, and therefore can make up to 80% of all investments. So, what kind of machines do you need to buy for a full-fledged self-service laundress? Here is a list with a simultaneous calculation of approximate costs:
- coin-operated washing machines (minimum 4) - from 250 thousand rubles per set;
- washing and squeezing machine with a coin receiver - 120-150 thousand for one, with the possibility of loading up to 8 kg of linen;
- ironing boards, a pair of irons and an ice rink (optional, but desirable) - up to 100 thousand rubles;
- laundry baskets and detergents - in the amount of about 10 thousand rubles to start.
Equipment needs to be purchased new, since its cycle of work is limited, and every 5-7 years, a global update is necessary. In addition, depending on the concept of your laundry, you can put a sofa for visitors, as well as a TV and a table with magazines. These optional elements are actually very important and will help pass the time waiting for the washed things. By the way, if funds permit, put a coffee machine - lonely people will be more likely to come to you to wash and chat with other visitors.
Some entrepreneurs are fond of the idea and want to open a dry-cleaning laundry (for sure!). But this is a mistake, at least at the initial stage. Not many people use dry cleaning, especially among our potential audience, and the purchase of additional equipment will significantly increase the size of the necessary investments.
We hire an employee
Despite the fact that we are talking about the opening of a self-service laundress, some staff is still needed. It's about the administrator. It is better if there are two of them - for working in different shifts. What does this person do if the process is fully automated, and people themselves load the laundry and pay for the laundry?
Nevertheless, this frame is very valuable. He will monitor the order, maintain cleanliness of the room, advise visitors who decide to use the laundry service for the first time. And you can just chat with him about life while washing clothes. And if some unforeseen situations happen - the car breaks down, water flows or something else, he will be able to solve the problem or report it to the appropriate services. In general, you cannot do without an administrator, and you should not try.
Advertising and other expenses
In addition to the actual costs associated with the rental of premises and the acquisition of equipment, the following items of expenses will arise monthly:
- utility bills - up to 10-15 thousand rubles;
- detergents (depending on consumption) - not more than 5-10 thousand rubles;
- salary of an employee (laundry administrator) - up to 20-40 thousand rubles;
- bookkeeping and taxes - depending on revenue.
It is also necessary to take into account the costs of opening an IP.This form of enterprise is considered optimal for a small laundry. In addition, it’s not enough just to open a launderette and wait for a stream of visitors to flood in immediately. It must be properly "filed" to advertise.
Firstly, it is a noticeable and attractive sign. Secondly, the distribution of advertising booklets, and at first discount coupons in the habitat of a potential audience. Thirdly, advertising on the Internet on sites, in groups of student hostels, guest houses of mini-hotels and other places near which your laundry is located.
Calculating the financial benefits of the laundry business
So, we examined all the main points regarding how to open a laundry business. Now let’s summarize the necessary investments, monthly expenses, calculate the profit that can be expected with the successful operation of the service.
Investments
The initial investment for opening a small laundry will be on average from 500-600 thousand rubles. This amount includes equipment, premises, and salary to the employee (s). Recall that we are considering a business plan for a launderette with an area of not more than 50 square meters and a small number of cars (4-5 pieces). The larger the capacities, the higher the investments and the monthly costs.
Revenues, expenses, payback
Now about income. On average, the cost of one wash is approximately 50 rubles. Moreover, its cost does not exceed 10-12 rubles. That is, the profitability of the business from 400% and above.
Monthly expenses will amount to about 30-50 thousand rubles per month, and revenue with full load and good traffic - up to 90-100 thousand.
Thus, net profit will reach 40-50 thousand rubles a month. Of course, this is subject to good patency of your laundry.
But, on the other hand, if one does not strive for this, then it makes no sense to start a business. This business pays off, according to experts, in one and a half to two years, depending on the initial investment and the popularity of your laundry.
Conclusion
Self-service laundry is a new type of business for our country. People need to get used to using these kinds of services. However, many categories of the population already today need a place where they can quickly, inexpensively and efficiently wash their clothes, and even talk. Therefore, make a business plan for a launderette, think over its concept, find a good place. And then boldly start the business, promoting the “culture” of laundries to the masses!
