Wash and fold laundry business with pickup and delivery

Busy families, shift workers, older people and professionals who would rather not spend their weekends on laundry.

Price per kilo or per load, with extras for ironing, delicates or same-day turnaround. Weekly subscription clients give steadier income.

• Reliable and organised
• Knowing fabrics and care labels
• Good time management
• Friendly customer service

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a home-based business, as heavy machine use and vehicle traffic may matter
• Public liability insurance, and ask whether it covers damage to or loss of customers' items
• Risk of lost or damaged garments, so label bags and photograph items of concern
• Water, electricity and detergent costs rise with volume, so check your margins
• You need an ABN, and GST registration is required once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on the washers and dryers you already own, how much you need for bags, baskets and detergent, and how you handle deliveries. Treat this as an estimate only.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,500, depending on how many clients you take on and your pricing. That is revenue before costs such as water, electricity and detergent, which rise with volume. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week.

Check with your local council whether you need approval for a home-based business, as heavy machine use and vehicle traffic may matter. Also check that your public liability insurance covers damage to customers' items, and that you have an ABN and know when GST registration applies.