How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in North Dakota?

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Starting a Laundromat in North Dakota typically costs between $82,000 and $492,000, with a median estimate of $205,000. North Dakota’s cost of living is 9% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in North Dakota costs $135 to file. Most laundromat businesses take 3-9 months to launch.

Last updated: May 2026

Laundromat startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Laundromat in North Dakota?

Low

$82,000

Medium

$205,000

High

$492,000

National average: $100,000 – $600,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Laundromat in North Dakota

Budget:

Equipment — Washers & Dryers

$82,000

Lease & Build-Out

$49,200

Payment Systems

$6,560

Point-of-Sale & Management System

$1,640

Vending Machines

$2,460

Build-Out & Renovations

$12,300

Business Insurance

$3,280

Working Capital

$20,500

Options

Include 3 months working capital (+$29,520)

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

Startup Costs

$177,940

Monthly Costs

$9,840

First Year Total

$296,020

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Equipment — Washers & Dryers	$32,800	$82,000	$205,000	A 20-machine laundromat (around a dozen washers plus several dryers) is typically a substantial five-figure-to-low-six-figure capital outlay; commercial washers each carry a meaningful four-figure capital cost, and dryers are a similar four-figure line item.
Lease & Build-Out	$16,400	$49,200	$123,000	Plumbing upgrades for commercial washers are the most expensive build-out component.
Payment Systems	$2,460	$6,560	$16,400	Cashless payment systems meaningfully lift revenue and reduce coin theft.
Point-of-Sale & Management System	$410	$1,640	$4,100	Remote monitoring prevents machine downtime from going undetected.
Build-Out & Renovations	$4,100	$12,300	$32,800	Customer experience improvements directly impact return visits and word-of-mouth.
Business Insurance	$1,640	$3,280	$8,200	Equipment breakdown coverage is critical — washer failures mean revenue loss.
Working Capital	$8,200	$20,500	$49,200	Utilities (water, gas, electric) are the largest ongoing expense — typically a meaningful four-figure monthly cost.
Vending Machines (optional)	$820	$2,460	$6,560	Supply vending typically adds a low-three-figure monthly revenue stream in high-traffic laundromats.
Total Startup Cost	$66,010	$175,480	$438,700	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in North Dakota

General Business License

North Dakota does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the North Dakota Secretary of State and register with the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner for sales and use tax purposes. North Dakota has minimal business regulation relative to most states. Some cities, particularly Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks, require local business licenses, but many communities have no local licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Establishment License — North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services — Division of Food and Lodging
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — North Dakota Secretary of State (registration only, no state license required for most)
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — North Dakota Real Estate Commission
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Center License — North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services — Early Childhood Services
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License — North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Retail Liquor License — North Dakota Office of the Attorney General — Alcoholic Beverage Licensing
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual
Oil and Gas Operator License — North Dakota Industrial Commission — Oil and Gas Division
Cost: Varies — contact agency • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in North Dakota face minimal regulation in rural and unincorporated areas, which represent most of the state's land area. Fargo, Bismarck, and other cities regulate home occupations through local zoning ordinances with standard restrictions on signage and customer traffic. North Dakota's small-town culture generally supports home-based businesses. The state's cottage food law supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales subject to a state-defined annual cap.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Laundromat:

Low

$5,000/mo

Medium

$12,000/mo

High

$30,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$80,000 – $600,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

20-35%

Break-Even Timeline

24-60 months

How North Dakota Compares to Neighboring States

North Dakota is one of the more affordable states for launching a Laundromat, with a cost-of-living index of 91.1 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Minnesota ($235,000 median startup cost), North Dakota offers lower costs for a Laundromat.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
North Dakota (current)	$205,000	$135
Minnesota	$235,000	$155
South Dakota	$207,500	$150
Montana	$242,500	$35

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Poor location — laundromats need dense residential areas without washer/dryer access
2
Buying used residential equipment instead of commercial-grade machines
3
Neglecting cleanliness leading to customer loss
4
No remote monitoring causing extended machine downtime
5
Insufficient working capital for utility bills during ramp-up

Next Steps to Launch Your Laundromat

1
Form your LLC or corporation in North Dakota — laundromats involve premises liability and equipment financing obligations (filing fee: $135)
2
Obtain a North Dakota business license and any local municipality permit for commercial laundry operations
3
Secure a commercial lease with adequate water and sewer hookup capacity — verify North Dakota utility infrastructure can support commercial laundry volumes
4
Finance commercial washers and dryers through manufacturers (Alliance Laundry, Electrolux) or leasing companies — equipment financing typically requires a meaningful down-payment share
5
Obtain a North Dakota water discharge permit if your laundromat discharges above typical residential volumes
6
Install card-operated or app-based payment systems (Laundry Lux, PayRange) — coin-only laundromats are declining; cashless systems meaningfully lift revenue
7
Get commercial property insurance and general liability — typically a meaningful four-figure annual premium for a typical laundromat
8
Set up an attendant schedule or security camera system — unattended laundromats require 24/7 camera coverage to deter theft and vandalism

Frequently Asked Questions

A laundromat typically requires a substantial six-figure investment to start, with commercial washer/dryer equipment as the largest line item. A 1,500 sq ft location with around 20 machines is a typical starter setup. Acquiring an existing laundromat is generally lower risk than building from scratch and can land in a similar six-figure price range depending on revenue.

A well-located laundromat with around 20 machines and a healthy daily revenue per machine generates a low-to-mid four-figure monthly gross. After utilities, rent, and supplies are paid, healthy net margins are typical. High-traffic urban locations can generate a substantial five-figure monthly gross.

High-density apartment areas where residents lack in-unit washers/dryers. Look for 10,000+ potential customers within 1 mile and low competitor density. Near grocery stores (shared parking) and on major corridors increases visibility. Avoid neighborhoods with high owner-occupied home rates.

Acquiring an existing laundromat is lower risk — established revenue, existing equipment, and proven location. Expect to pay 3–5x annual net income. New construction gives equipment and design control but takes 6–12 months longer to open and carries location risk. Most new entrants purchase existing locations.

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Start a Laundromat in Other States

See the national overview for Laundromat or browse all businesses you can start in North Dakota.