Laundry and Dry Cleaning Software · Guide
Laundry Pricing in Nepal: Per Kg or Per Item?
Most Nepali laundry shops use a mix of two models: a price per kilo for everyday washing, and a price per item for dry cleaning and special garments. Neither is better in all cases. The right choice depends on what you wash, how you work and how your customers think. This article explains the trade-offs and how to keep prices consistent so staff do not quote differently to different people. It does not suggest actual rates, because costs and competition differ by neighbourhood.
Charging per kilo
Per-kilo pricing suits bulk, everyday items such as shirts, T-shirts, trousers, bedsheets and towels. It is easy to explain and quick at the counter, since you weigh and calculate. It also matches your cost, because water, power and detergent use rise with weight.
The weaknesses are weighing disputes and heavy-but-simple items, like wet or thick blankets, that distort the picture. Weigh clothes dry, in front of the customer, on a scale that is regularly checked. Decide whether ironing is included or charged separately, and say so on the price board.
Charging per item
Per-item pricing suits suits, sarees, jackets, woollens, curtains and anything that needs special handling. It reflects the real work and the risk. A customer can see what each piece costs, which feels fair for high-value items.
The weaknesses are the longer counter time and the many price points. If your list has two hundred items, staff will guess. Group items into sensible categories and keep the list short enough to memorise, while the software or a printed price board holds the details.
A comparison
| Question | Per kilo | Per item |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Everyday household wash | Dry clean, suits, sarees, woollens |
| Speed at counter | Fast | Slower |
| Dispute risk | Weight and drying state | Item classification |
| Fairness to customer | Good for mixed small items | Good for valuable items |
| Link to cost | Close for water and power | Close for labour and risk |
Express and urgent orders
Express service is a way to earn more from the same capacity, but only if you can really deliver. Decide a clear surcharge rule, such as a percentage on top of the normal price, and a firm cut-off time for same-day work. Mark express orders visibly in the system and on tags so they are not buried in the queue. If you cannot meet a promise, tell the customer early.
Seasonal and festival pricing
Winter brings blankets, jackets and woollens, which take more time and space to dry. Festivals bring a rush of suits and sarees. You may adjust prices or capacity for these periods. Whatever you decide, publish it, so regulars are not surprised. In software, a price list with an effective date means old bills remain accurate while new orders follow the new price.
Discounts and monthly accounts
Hotels, hostels and offices often ask for rates based on volume. Agree a written rate, record it against the customer account and bill monthly. Keep it separate from walk-in prices so staff do not apply it by mistake. Decide who is allowed to give discounts and record the approver on each bill.
Add-on services and fees
- Stain treatment for difficult marks.
- Repairs such as buttons or small stitching.
- Folding and special packing.
- Pickup and delivery charges, perhaps free above a certain order value.
- Storage for items left uncollected beyond a stated period.
State each fee on the price board and receipt. Surprise charges damage trust more than a slightly higher honest price.
VAT and bills
If your shop is VAT registered, the standard rate is 13%, and your bills should reflect it as your accountant advises. Decide whether displayed prices include VAT. Ask your accountant or the Inland Revenue Department about requirements for your business. A software system can be configured to match the format you are told to use.
Keeping prices consistent
The main risk is staff quoting from memory. Put the price list in the system so that when an item is selected, the price appears automatically. Allow changes only for authorised staff. Review the list every few months, and update it for rising detergent, power and wage costs. The Laundry and Dry Cleaning Software from WebsNP lets you set a price list per service and item, including weight-based services and express surcharges.
Next step
List your twenty most frequent items with how you charge each. If you find items where staff quote differently, you have found where money is leaking. Message WebsNP on WhatsApp at +977 9846280400 for a demo with your own price list. If your laundry sits inside a hostel or hotel, you may also like our hostel management page.
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