A new Union dry cleaning machine typically costs about $35,000-$100,000 before major building work, while used machines can range from $8,000-$45,000. Capacity, solvent system, controls, delivery, installation, and local environmental requirements are the main reasons quotes vary.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Union machine | $35,000 | $62,000 | $100,000+ | Equipment price; capacity and configuration matter |
| Used Union machine | $8,000 | $22,000 | $45,000 | Condition, age, and included parts affect price |
| Delivery and installation | $6,000 | $14,000 | $30,000+ | Can rise with rigging or utility upgrades |
| Installed project total | $45,000 | $78,000 | $135,000+ | Excludes major building renovation |
Assumptions: U.S. commercial dry-cleaning site, standard access, and a machine sized for a small or midsize shop; quotes vary by model and location.
What a Union dry cleaning machine costs by capacity
For a typical shop, budget roughly $45,000-$110,000 for a new machine installed, with larger or more complex projects exceeding that range. The equipment portion is often about $35,000-$100,000, depending on drum capacity, solvent system, automation, and included options. A compact unit for a lower-volume operation generally costs less than a high-throughput model designed for continuous commercial use.
Used equipment changes the initial budget substantially. A running, inspected Union machine may be listed around $8,000-$45,000, but removal, transport, missing components, and recommissioning can add several thousand dollars. A low asking price is not the same as a low operating cost: the machine may need seals, pumps, controls, or solvent-system work before it can be used reliably.
Capacity is commonly discussed in pounds of garments per load. A smaller 30-40 lb machine may suit a limited-volume operation; a 50-60 lb unit is a common midrange planning scenario; and 70-80 lb or larger equipment generally calls for a higher purchase and installation budget. These are estimating categories, not a guarantee of a particular Union model or current dealer price.
Prices also depend on whether the quote covers the machine alone or a functioning system. Filters, solvent tanks, stills, lint collection, recovery equipment, computer controls, and required safety components may be included, optional, or priced separately. Ask the seller to identify the exact model, rated capacity, solvent configuration, and included accessories.
How machine, solvent, and installation charges divide
A quote should separate equipment from the work needed to place it into service. The following ranges are planning figures for a standard commercial installation; site-specific electrical, ventilation, and environmental work can make totals higher.
| Cost item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union machine | $35,000-$100,000 | $35,000-$100,000 per unit | Capacity, model year, controls, solvent setup |
| Installation labor | $3,000-$12,000 | $75-$150 per hour | Crew size, rigging, connection complexity |
| Delivery and rigging | $1,500-$8,000 | $1,500-$8,000 per move | Distance, stairs, door width, crane use |
| Electrical and ventilation | $2,000-$15,000 | $2,000-$15,000 per project | Panel capacity, duct changes, code conditions |
| Startup, testing, and training | $750-$3,500 | $750-$3,500 per visit | Technician travel, commissioning scope |
| Removal and disposal | $1,000-$6,000 | $1,000-$6,000 per machine | Old unit weight, solvent handling, access |
Not every purchase needs every line item. A replacement in a prepared space may avoid extensive duct or panel work, while a first-time installation can require plumbing, floor repairs, exhaust modifications, or upgrades to meet local rules. Taxes, freight, and dealer fees may also be outside the equipment price.
Example: 40-80 labor hours at $75-$150 per hour produces about $3,000-$12,000 in installation labor, before specialized rigging or materials.
Which capacity and solvent system raises the quote
Capacity and solvent configuration are among the strongest price drivers, and the cheapest machine is not necessarily the cheapest fit. Moving from a 30-40 lb class to a 60-80 lb class can add roughly $10,000-$30,000 or more to equipment pricing, depending on the package and market. Larger capacity also affects electrical demand, ventilation, floor loading, and the amount of solvent handled.
Solvent type can change the purchase and compliance picture. Perc equipment, hydrocarbon systems, and alternative-solvent machines differ in design, operating requirements, and permitted use. A machine’s advertised price should not be compared with another until the solvent system and required ancillary equipment are confirmed.
Automation and controls also move quotes. A basic control package may cost less than systems with advanced cycle programming, monitoring, or automated solvent management. Optional filtration, additional tanks, lint handling, and upgraded recovery features can add several thousand dollars collectively. Request an itemized list rather than accepting a single “complete system” figure.
Building constraints create another threshold effect. A site with an existing compatible electrical service and adequate exhaust may need only modest work. If the service is undersized, the exhaust route exceeds about 25-30 feet, or the machine must pass through a restricted doorway, the project may need panel upgrades, duct reconstruction, or crane rigging. Any of these can add $5,000-$20,000 or more.
What installation crews charge for rigging and startup
Installation labor commonly lands around $3,000-$12,000, but difficult access or major utility changes can push the work beyond $20,000. A straightforward replacement may take a small crew one to two working days, including positioning, connections, checks, and startup. A new installation with utility work can require several trades and extend across multiple days.
Technician and contractor rates often fall near $75-$150 per hour, with higher charges possible for specialized service, overtime, or travel. The final bill depends on billable hours, crew count, minimum service charges, and whether the dealer includes commissioning. Clarify whether travel, testing, operator instruction, and return visits are included.
Rigging is priced separately when standard moving equipment cannot handle the machine. A short, unobstructed move may cost $1,500-$3,000; tight access, stairs, long carries, or a crane can bring the charge to $5,000-$8,000 or more. Before delivery, measure doorways and hallways and confirm the machine’s shipping dimensions and weight with the seller.
Schedule downtime also has a financial cost. If installation requires shutting down the cleaning operation, coordinate removal, delivery, and startup to minimize days without production. Confirm who disconnects the old unit, who handles remaining solvent, and whether the installer will leave the machine operating and tested.
New Union equipment versus a used machine
Used equipment can save $20,000-$50,000 upfront, but only when condition, compatibility, and installation are verified. A used Union machine priced at $8,000-$20,000 may appear attractive, yet transport, parts, technician labor, and compliance modifications can bring the total near $25,000-$45,000. Equipment with documented service history and a successful inspection generally carries less uncertainty than an as-is sale.
New equipment usually costs more but may include a manufacturer or dealer warranty, current controls, commissioning, and a clearer parts-support path. Warranty coverage varies, so confirm its term, covered components, labor provisions, and whether travel is excluded. A used machine may have no meaningful warranty even if the seller offers a brief startup guarantee.
Compare total project estimates, not sticker prices. Ask for separate prices for equipment, freight, installation, parts, solvent-system work, and disposal. For a used unit, request its model and serial information, service records, operating demonstration, and a written list of included components. Budget a repair reserve of about $3,000-$10,000 when condition is uncertain.
Compatibility is especially important when replacing another machine. A unit that fits the available space may still require different electrical service, exhaust, plumbing, or solvent storage. Have a qualified installer review the site before purchase; a low-cost machine that cannot be installed without extensive changes may be a poor value.
Three Union machine quotes for different shop sizes
These examples illustrate how equipment capacity and site readiness affect the installed price; they are budgeting scenarios, not dealer quotations. The assumed labor rate is $100 per hour, with ordinary access and no major structural renovation.
| Scenario | Equipment | Labor and site work | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepared shop, 35 lb new unit | $38,000-$48,000 | 24-40 hours, $2,400-$4,000 | $2,000-$5,000 freight and startup | $42,400-$57,000 |
| Mid-volume shop, 55 lb new unit | $52,000-$72,000 | 40-64 hours, $4,000-$6,400 | $5,000-$11,000 rigging and connections | $61,000-$89,400 |
| High-volume shop, 75 lb new unit | $75,000-$100,000+ | 64-100 hours, $6,400-$10,000 | $8,000-$20,000 site work and startup | $89,400-$130,000+ |
The smaller example assumes existing utilities are compatible and the machine can be moved through normal access. The midrange case allows for additional electrical or exhaust connections. The larger case includes more substantial rigging and site work, but not a full building renovation or unusually complex environmental remediation.
For comparison, a used 55 lb machine might cost $15,000-$35,000, with $8,000-$20,000 for transport, inspection, installation, and likely repair allowance. That produces a broad project estimate of $23,000-$55,000, excluding major upgrades. A written inspection and working demonstration help narrow the range.
How permits and site preparation affect the final bill
Permit and compliance costs depend on the solvent, equipment configuration, building, and local authority—not simply the machine brand. Allow roughly $500-$5,000 for routine permits, inspections, or professional documentation when required. More extensive environmental review or building changes may cost substantially more.
Some jurisdictions impose specific rules for solvent storage, emissions, ventilation, fire protection, or wastewater. Requirements can differ even between nearby cities. Before ordering, ask the local building and fire departments which permits apply, and confirm that the proposed machine and solvent system meet current requirements.
Site preparation may include a dedicated electrical circuit, exhaust ducting, floor leveling, drainage changes, fire-safety equipment, or removal of an old system. Minor preparation can cost around $1,000-$4,000; multiple trades or substantial duct and electrical work can reach $10,000-$25,000. A pre-installation site survey is often less expensive than changing the order after delivery.
For a replacement project, account for old solvent and equipment handling. Removal and disposal commonly run $1,000-$6,000, but special handling can increase the fee. Obtain confirmation of what the installer will remove and whether the price includes transport, disposal documentation, and cleanup.
Where a buyer can trim a Union machine budget
The most reliable savings come from matching capacity to actual throughput and identifying site work before accepting a quote. Review pounds cleaned per day, peak-day demand, and operating hours. Paying for a machine one size larger than the business needs can raise both equipment cost and utility work without producing a useful return.
Keep the existing layout when it remains compatible. Reusing serviceable electrical connections, ventilation routes, and plumbing can avoid expensive construction, but only after an installer verifies that they meet the selected machine’s specifications and local code. Do not assume an older connection is safe or compliant simply because it served the previous unit.
Compare at least two itemized dealer or installer quotes using the same capacity, solvent type, included accessories, warranty coverage, and startup scope. Separate optional features from required equipment. Ask whether freight, travel, disposal, operator training, and taxes are included, and whether quoted labor is fixed-price or billed by the hour.
For a used machine, arrange an independent inspection before payment and compare the purchase-plus-repair estimate with a new machine’s installed price. Avoid buying solely on the basis of low equipment cost. A verified operating unit with support and parts availability may cost more initially but reduce the risk of early downtime and unplanned repair bills.