Neighbourhood dry cleaning shop

Local households, office workers, restaurants, salons, theatres and uniform users in your area.

A set price per garment or item, with extras for stain treatment, alterations, wedding dresses and bedding. Regular business accounts help keep income steady.

• Knowledge of fabrics, stains and cleaning methods
• Pressing and finishing
• Running a shop and managing staff

• Solvent rules: federal and provincial regulations cover perchloroethylene and waste disposal, so check what applies to you and consider wet cleaning or other alternatives
• Zoning and building requirements, including ventilation and fire safety
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, plus cover for customers' garments
• WCB or WSIB registration once you hire staff, as rules differ by province
• High equipment and lease costs, so test your local demand first

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on equipment, premises and lease terms. Equipment and lease costs are high, so test local demand before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, services and customer base. Treat this as revenue, not profit, and plan for equipment, lease and staffing costs.

Check solvent rules: federal and provincial regulations cover perchloroethylene and waste disposal. Also check zoning and building requirements, including ventilation and fire safety, insurance for the shop and customers' garments, and WCB or WSIB registration once you hire staff.