If you’re thinking of opening a laundromat, location should be one of the key factors in your decision. Laundry facilities in certain areas are going to be more profitable than less desirable areas. When deciding on an area, there are a few questions to ask yourself. If you need to buy affordable coin operated washers and dryers in Raleigh, NC, call T & L Laundry Equipment! We can save you money!
Think About These Things Before Opening a Laundromat
What is nearby?
The ideal location is near an apartment complex or college dorms, but other factors can be helpful, too. For instance, if there are retail stores or restaurants in the same shopping center or nearby, then there will be regular foot traffic. Neighborhoods with older homes may mean fewer people have washers and dryers in their homes.
If your facility is a standalone, it will be easier for your customers to park. If it is in a shopping center, try to secure enough parking for your customers so they won’t be tempted to go elsewhere when they can’t park nearby.
Who is the competition?
Check out the other laundromats in the area. If they have a better location, more parking and better amenities, they are going to be hard to compete with unless you can offer the same things. If you are purchasing an established business, you may need to consider upgrades to equipment, installation of a television and Wi-Fi so that you can offer the same or better services for your clientele.
Your competition isn’t just other laundromats. You could also be competing with people who have onsite laundry in their apartment complexes. However, if you can offer better equipment and more amenities, they may be more likely to make the extra trip to your facility rather than using the one available at their apartment complex.
People who have washers and dryers in their homes may be occasional customers when they need to wash large items such as sleeping bags and dog beds. If your facility can offer extra-large washers and dryers in a convenient location, then they will come to you.
Will safety be a concern?
Many coin operated facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your laundromat will be open all the time, it is important to ensure the area is safe. You can talk with local law enforcement to see what kind of criminal activity has occurred in the area lately as well as see if police patrol the area overnight.
If your customers can feel safe doing their laundry any time of day or night, then they will come back. In addition, you do not want to have your business subject to vandalism or theft.
How clean is the surrounding area?
Even if your laundromat is spotless, well-lit and offers all the best amenities, it can be overlooked when the businesses surrounding it are not up to par. You probably can’t change the appearance of the stores nearby unless there is a business association or rental agency that owns them, so you will have to decide if you’ll be able to stand out among the less than desirable businesses surrounding yours.
Looking for New Coin Operated Washers and Dryers in Raleigh, NC?
Are you ready to start shopping for new commercial laundry equipment? We have top load and front load coin operated washers, single load dryers, stack dryers, and stack washer/dryer combos. We can find something to work in your laundry room that will benefit your customers, save you money and make it profitable to have coin operated washers and dryers in Raleigh, NC, or wherever your business is located. Call T & L Equipment today so we can help you make a purchase. We have been in business for 40 years, so we are the experts when it comes to commercial laundry equipment.
