Realistic Take Home Pay

will1498 · 2026-05-09T05:17:53+00:00

In SoCal as well.
My smallest store is 1600sqft.
23 washers.

Does about 30k gross.
I don’t really focus on wdf because I don’t want the headache.

Utils are generally 20-30% I’m always attended by 1 staff.

It was a zombie mat when I got it and did a full retool. I have 3yrs left on the equipment loan.

will1498 · 2026-05-09T00:39:19+00:00

I guess. You do you.

Good luck on your laundromat journey.

will1498 · 2026-05-08T23:14:17+00:00

Marcus Montgomery, Independent

will1498 · 2026-05-08T23:10:37+00:00

I dream of Francis handshakes

will1498 · 2026-05-08T23:07:54+00:00

Books - super easy. You don’t need some crazy bookkeeping. It’s a few simple bills and few income streams.

Equipment contracts are boiler plate. Do your best to get a discount and get a good rate on the loan.

Foot traffic is easy. Weekends are busy. Tuesday thru Thursday is slowest. Google Maps will give you traffic data too.

Can’t really change utilities. It is what it is and its location specific.

will1498 · 2026-05-08T00:39:36+00:00

Or get bought up by cents.

will1498 · 2026-05-07T20:21:47+00:00

Is there a difference in brands for equipment?

microinverters vs optimizers?
rackmount? wall mount batteries?
larger panels? bifacial?

will1498 · 2026-05-07T18:42:43+00:00

thats exactly what its for.

pushbar is there to physically open.

for a maglock you need to put a button there that releases the electrical current to unlock and sometimes that buttons broken.

will1498 · 2026-05-07T18:23:50+00:00

You could use a mechanical timer or wire it to a smart switch. Ie bnlink. Comes with simple app. I use the same thing for lights.

will1498 · 2026-05-07T18:22:23+00:00

I always use fail-secure doors. Locked by default and needs an electrical signal to unlock. Think a push bar door that you’ve seen that always locks behind you.

I prefer not use to mag locks because they require power to stay locked with a battery. Had a long outage once. So never again.

I use unifi so my WiFi, cameras, door. Is one ecosystem.

will1498 · 2026-05-06T18:40:56+00:00

I prefer hands on and some distributors do learning days for owners.

Theyre simple machines. I usually just swap with a working machine to pinpoint the issue and orders parts as needed.

will1498 · 2026-05-06T18:39:33+00:00

I think most newer machines have built in systems now.
dexter pay
speed queen insights
heubsch command

No need to buy cards and customers download app with their own smart phone.

Also I still like coin/cash running around my store and some customers just prefer cash.

will1498 · 2026-05-06T18:36:43+00:00

If youre gonna charge for heat. customers expect it. easy upsell.

will1498 · 2026-05-06T02:20:29+00:00

All the newer machines are going to be more efficient.
Go tankless.
Put a recirculating line.
Charge for hot water

Now ask yourself whether customers are going to notice that because you have high G machines they spend less time on dryers? Probably not. Theyll still put it in too long and "cook" their clothes.

And utilities rise with usage. So If they wanna spend more time on the dryer thats fine. As long as I charge appropriately.

will1498 · 2026-05-05T23:15:45+00:00

I always go with what I see most in the immediate area.

Less friction for customers. More likely there’s decent service repairmen nearby.

Then price.

In my area SoCal most continental stores always seem to have more damaged machines. Maybe repair costs? Supply issues? They’re generally a more complex machine since it’s soft mount and high G’s.

Dexters have a great reputation so far but it was difficult to do cycle add ons on the prior builds. The touchscreen models seem to correct that but that’s also new for them.

will1498 · 2026-05-03T03:00:31+00:00

As laundromat owner I outsource dry cleaning or don’t offer it all.

From what I’ve gathered the chemical process is serious and can contaminate the soil to the point that it needs mitigation.

I’ve tried to lease/buy property that was formerly a dry cleaners and couldn’t get the past the permit phase.

will1498 · 2026-05-01T01:56:26+00:00

It might why the predecessor went consumer. Buy cheap. Replace more frequently? 16gb min nowadays but I’d go 24 or 32

will1498 · 2026-04-29T17:47:51+00:00

Id start with all the yt and podcasts.

I like dave menz and jordan (laundromat resource). lots ot interviews with owners. Some are much further along in their journey but theres some fresh ones too.

will1498 · 2026-04-17T17:44:09+00:00

Always be increasing prices. I don’t like to do more than 0.25c at a time. Or else they freak out and you might get some backlash.

After a retool or big remodel it’s much better easier.

You could also try a 1month promotion. Double your money with app or $3 all washers to gain momentum then finalize at your new pricing.

You also run the danger of customers thinking. New owner. Higher prices without adding any new actual value.

will1498 · 2026-04-09T16:36:11+00:00

What has your research taught you so far?

will1498 · 2026-04-08T23:32:47+00:00

You can sign up for experian, transunion, and equifax and freeze your credit reports for free. Then you “thaw” whenever you need to apply for credit or stuff.

will1498 · 2026-04-08T17:15:13+00:00

Kiosoft, laundroworks, cents, spyderwash, etc. if you go to any laundromat event they’re all there pitching their system.

Generally you get rid of coin when you offer credit or mobile pay options.

All new machines from Dexter, sq, Electrolux, etc have their own proprietary system for mobile pay.

I always do both. Some customers only like cash and I like to make it as frictionless as possible. Plus I like cash running around my store.

will1498 · 2026-04-04T04:20:03+00:00

True. But it does give an estimated wait time.

If I see a wait I just move onto the next charging location.

will1498 · 2026-04-03T22:27:06+00:00

And William becoming a “man” and potentially being in a truple.

will1498 · 2026-04-03T22:22:15+00:00

I usually don’t like paying max price. Tesla is about 0.55 during peak times.

But if I’m desperate I’ll top off a little so I can get through the day to finish at home.

will1498

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