52 Questions to Ask When Buying a Laundromat

So you’re thinking about buying a laundromat? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, there are some important questions you should ask before making a decision. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most important questions you should ask when considering the purchase of a laundromat. In the end, you should have a much better idea of whether or not buying a laundromat is the right decision for you. 

52 Questions you should ask when buying a laundromat:

Income 

1. What’s the current owner’s gross annual income?
2. What’s the current owner’s net income?
3. What’s the growth potential of the laundromat?

Tenancy

1. Does the laundry have any existing leases or rental agreements?
2. What are the lease terms?

Services and Costs

1. What hours are currently being operated and are they optimal? 
2. Would it be possible to extend those hours?
3. How much does it cost to wash and dry a load of laundry?
4. What’s the monthly cost to operate the laundry?
5. What are the utility costs for operating the laundry?

Marketing 

1. What marketing and advertising efforts does the owner currently employ and are they effective? 
2. Does the laundromat have a website or social media presence? If so, how well is it maintained?
3. Is the website optimized for SEO and mobile-friendly?
4. How much does the current owner spend per month on advertising?

Regulatory compliance

1. Are there any environmental issues associated with the property?
2. What environmental hazards are present at or near the property?
3. Does the laundry have any outstanding loans or liens against it?
4. Are there any zoning restrictions that might limit future expansion or modification of the property? 
5. What security measures are currently in place at the laundry? 
6. What are the municipal regulations?
7. Has the business been audited in the past, and if so, were there any issues?
8. Does the business have any licenses or permits that need to be renewed after purchase? 

Customer demographics

1. What’s the customer base of the laundromat?
2. What are the demographics in the area?
3. Are customers more likely to pay with cash, check, or credit/debit card?
4. Do most customers live in apartments or single-family homes?
5. What’s the average income of residents in the area?

Geographic

1. What’s the neighborhood like in the surrounding area? 
2. Is there easy access to public transportation from the laundry? 
3. Is there anything special about the location that might attract or deter customers?
4. What’s the competition like in the area?
5. Does the business have relationships with local businesses or organizations?
6. Does the location have good foot traffic and visibility from major roads/highways?
7. What’s the crime rate in the area?

Inventory

1. What’s the condition of the equipment? 
2. How many washers and dryers are there?
3. What type of washers and dryers are they (e.g., coin-operated, card-operated)?
4. What’s the age/condition of the washers and dryers?
5. Are there security cameras/surveillance systems?
6. Does the building have an alarm system?
7. Is there air conditioning and heating in the building?
8. How old are the roof, HVAC system, and other major components of the building?
9. How often are the washing machines serviced?
10. What’s the condition of the building?
11. Is there adequate parking for customers?
12. Does the owner have employees and if so, how many and what are their job descriptions/duties?
13. Is there room for expansion?
14. Are there plans for new buildings in the area?

Miscellaneous

1. How long has the owner been in business?
2. Why does the current owner want to sell?
3. What’s included in the sale?
4. Are there any existing warranties on the equipment?

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Owning a laundromat can be a great investment, but it’s important to do your research thoroughly before making a decision. We hope this list of questions helps you figure out if buying a laundromat is right for you!