If you’re a business owner or laundry manager who is in the process of updating on-site commercial laundry equipment, cost may be at the top of your priority list.
Because with budgets to juggle and profitability to protect, striking a balance between efficiency, performance, and affordability is paramount.
Here at JLA, we understand that cost is among the single most important considerations that our customers have when procuring new laundry equipment. That’s why we’ve put together this transparent guide to help you understand how much commercial laundry equipment costs to buy, along with the lesser-known factors that can contribute to ongoing running costs.
Commercial laundry equipment costs
While laundry rooms may not have the same equipment requirements, generally speaking, most facilities will be looking for washing machines, dryers, and finishing equipment like irons. And along with the appliances themselves, you also need to factor in the cost of setting up a laundry room – particularly if you’re in a new premises which lacks the necessary infrastructure.
With this list of requirements in mind, let’s take a closer look at the factors that can affect the cost of each of these commercial laundry appliances in turn.
Washing machines and tumble dryers
Washing machines and tumble dryers are the most expensive appliances required in a commercial laundry room. Compared to their domestic counterparts, commercial washers and dryers have a much higher price point, primarily due to their build quality, capacity, and the advanced features and technologies they contain.
Of course, not all professional washers and dryers are priced in a similar ballpark, so there are appliances to suit different budgets. For instance, an industrial-grade washer or dryer with a high capacity will be significantly more expensive than a lower-capacity machine designed for regular daily use, while the on-board specification and features can have a big impact on cost, too.
Bear in mind, also, that the cost of equipping a laundry with commercial tumble dryers and washers will depend on how many appliances you need. Some businesses may need two or more machines operating at the same time, so this can have a major impact on overall procurement costs.
Commercial ironers
Along with washers and dryers, most commercial laundries require ironing equipment to ensure that uniforms, linen, clothing, and flatwork are finished to a high standard. Commercial ironers are a lot different from the domestic handheld irons most people will be familiar with, and they also fetch a significantly higher initial purchase price.
Of course, as with washers and dryers, the cost of a commercial iron does differ depending on the size, capacity, and features. An industrial roller or rotary iron, for instance, can represent a major – though very worthwhile – investment for businesses that require at-scale garment pressing, while steam irons and hand finishers are an affordable solution for occasional business use.
Initial laundry room setup
If you’re looking to deploy commercial laundry equipment in new business premises, there may be infrastructure-related costs to factor into the project. For instance, the provision of extra lighting and the installation of gas and electricity supply outlets can increase overall costs, as can the introduction of new ducting and ventilation.
Our experts can advise on any supplementary costs associated with the deployment of new laundry equipment on your premises, with a full assessment to calculate the scope of the work required.
Additional items
It isn’t just equipment that is required in a commercial laundry. There are a range of ancillary items that can ensure the smooth running of your laundry facility, including:
- Laundry baskets, bags, or carts
- Red bags for contaminated laundry in health and social care settings
- Furniture like tables to sort, fold, and store garments
- Auto-dosing pumps for detergents (free for JLA customers)
- Physical barriers and marked zones in settings like hospitals
- Tags to identify personal clothing in care homes
Running costs
Running costs are an important long-term overhead to consider when installing new laundry equipment. This doesn’t just cover energy-related running costs, either, but also the cost of maintenance, water, commercial laundry detergents, and other services required to keep your equipment working at its best.
As a business, it can be easy to get blindsided by the prospect of a lower initial purchase price without considering the impact this could have on long-term running costs. But investing in high-peformance and energy efficient equipment now could pay dividends in the long term – rewarding you with lower repair and maintenance costs and reduced energy bills.
Enjoy budget surety with JLA Total Care
Take the guesswork out of predicting commercial laundry running costs with Total Care from JLA. For a predictable monthly subscription cost, we will supply, install, service, and maintain laundry equipment on your behalf, so you’re guaranteed no nasty surprises and minimum equipment downtime if something should go wrong.
With JLA Total Care, you’ll benefit from:
- Market-leading laundry equipment with no installation fee, upfront payments, repair bills, or call-out charges – ever.
- Guaranteed local engineer response.
24/7/365 support from friendly advisors. - Improve laundry performance through real-time usage data and energy bill estimates.
One simple monthly bill
To find out more about JLA Total Care and our collection of commercial laundry equipment enquire now or call us now on 0808 239 7813.