Laundrette machine installer and repair engineer
Install, repair and service coin-operated washers and dryers for laundrettes, landlords and student blocks.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service that fits, maintains and repairs commercial coin-operated washing machines and dryers at customers' sites. You can also supply machines you source from distributors or manufacturers, working as a reseller.
Your first three steps
- Get trained on commercial laundry equipment, for example through manufacturer or distributor courses, and ask about becoming an approved service agent
- Set up a van with common spares and tools, and get insurance quotes for public liability and tools in transit
- Visit local laundrettes and letting agents to offer a service contract or a one-off repair, and ask for referrals
Who pays
Laundrette owners, landlords with shared laundry rooms, student accommodation and holiday park operators, and managers of blocks of flats.
How it makes money
Callout and hourly repair charges, fixed-price installations, planned service contracts, and a margin on parts and machines you supply.
Skills that help
- Mechanical and electrical fault-finding
- Basic plumbing and installation
- Reliable, quick response to breakdowns
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire
- Gas-fired dryers must be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so check what you are qualified to do
- Check what electrical and water-supply qualifications or notifications apply to installation work
- Check whether you need to register as a waste carrier if you take away old machines
- Breakdowns can be urgent, so think about how you handle out-of-hours calls
- Manufacturer warranties may only be honoured if work is done by approved agents
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: laundrette machine installer and repair engineer
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a laundrette machine repair business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your van, tools, parts stock and whether you also buy machines to resell. Check the qualifications you may need, as they could add to your budget.
What qualifications and rules should I check?
Gas-fired dryers must be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer, so check what you are qualified to do. Also check electrical and water-supply qualifications or notifications, waste carrier registration for removing old machines, insurance, and whether manufacturer warranties need approved agents.
How much can a laundrette machine engineer earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £1,500 to £6,500, depending on how many sites you serve and how much installation or resale work you take on. Estimates suggest from around 15 hours a week, and breakdowns can be urgent.
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