How Much Does it Cost to Start an ATM Business?

Before jumping head first into the ATM business, you might wonder how much does it cost to start an ATM business. This is a fair question. You might already have a budget for startup costs, and an ATM business model would need to fit into that budget. 

Or, maybe you want to know how much you need to budget for. Based on the number, you might then want to compare different business opportunities or strategies. You also might need to save up some money before you start your ATM business.

While we can’t give you a definitive number, we can tell you what expenses to account for. You will need to do some research and make some decisions only you can make. Not every ATM business looks the same. Your ATM business model depends on your unique lifestyle and goals.

So you’ll need to decide which machine to purchase, what features you need, where to place the machine, and how many partners you’ll have. All of these will vary in cost, but we’ll guide you in the direction of where to begin your research to find out how much does it cost to start an ATM business. 

Purchasing Equipment

The main cost of starting an ATM business is purchasing the machine itself. However, the cost doesn’t stop there. Depending on which machine you purchase, you might have to get an upgrade kit or pay for additional features. 

ATM Machine

ATM machines can range in cost from $1,000 to $8,000. This is a wide range, but it depends on the size of the machine and the age. 

Realistically, however, you should probably expect to pay around $2,000-$3,000. That is the range for the most common, free standing ATM machines.

Wall mount ATM machines are smaller and will cost less than a through-the-wall ATM machine designed to service areas with a lot of foot traffic and a lot of business. And a refurbished machine will cost less than a brand new machine. At least as far as the unit is concerned.

Upgrade Kit

What you have to look out for with refurbished machines is compliance. As regulations change, so must ATM design. Fortunately, to help accommodate these changes, upgrade kits are often available to keep a machine compliant without having to scrap it completely!

However, in some cases, a machine is just too old that it won’t support an upgrade kit. And if this is the machine you purchase, you will probably end up losing money. 

You also don’t want to purchase a machine that isn’t certified refurbished. If you do, you run the risk of spending more money on repairs than you would have if you had just purchased a new machine!

So keep these three things in mind when shopping for a refurbished machine:

1. Will it need repairs?
2. Will it need an upgrade kit?
3. Am I saving money or creating more expenses?

On the other hand, you could find a nearly new, certified refurbished ATM machine that still has close to 8 years left of life or more. 

Choosing equipment is the biggest, most important decision of your ATM business. Because it is your ATM business.

Extra Features

There are a number of features you can add to your machine to help draw in more business. These features are not necessary for your machine to function or be compliant, they just help you keep up with your competition.

Lighted keypads draw customers in at night. Signs can be added to the top of your machine to help catch the eye of passers-by. And cameras can add another layer of security to your business.

As you can see, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of your ATM equipment purchase. Do you want to spend a little bit more for a brand new ATM machine that comes fully loaded or is it a bargain to purchase a used or refurbished machine that might need upgrades or supplemental features to draw customers? 

Insurance

You don’t have to purchase ATM insurance. This is completely up to you. ATM insurance works just like any other insurance policy: you pay a regular price so that you are covered in the instance of vandalism, theft, weather damage, lawsuit, etc. Typically you can choose a policy that covers the equipment and cash or one or the other. This gives you a few more options and flexibility. 

And you don’t have to purchase it right away. If you want to wait until you start making money from your machine, you can pay for the insurance later from the ATM revenue. 

You will want to work with an ATM company that is associated with the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA). These companies can guide you toward a policy that meets your specific needs so that you don’t pay for more than you need or avoid not having full coverage.

To give you an idea of what to expect if you do want to purchase ATM insurance, the average ATM business in the United States spends about  $400-$700 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage. Factors that contribute to the price of your policy are location, deductible, and number of employees.

However, if the business where your ATM is located has insurance for the property or business, your machine might be covered under the existing policy. Other location owners might require you to carry general liability insurance in order to work with you. Therefore, you open yourself up to more opportunities if you have coverage. So check with the location owner to see if there are insurance requirements you need to follow. 

Leasing a Space

You might find a business or store owner who is willing to rent the space where you want to place your ATM. This amount will depend on the location itself. And whether or not you agree to the rent price will depend on your projected revenue. Will you still be able to make a fair profit after deducting the cost of rent?

To make sure you always make enough to cover the rent, you might suggest splitting the revenue instead of a set rent price. That way, even when business is slow, you are still guaranteed a profit.

Revenue Split

If you don’t have your own business or store, you might have to convince a store owner to allow you to place your ATM in his or her business. While it doesn’t cost anything to reach out to and make connections with local business owners and decision makers, you might have to negotiate a revenue split to get them to agree to your proposition. 

This isn’t necessarily a start-up cost, but you’ll have to consider it when calculating the rate of your return on investment (ROI). It’s also a good alternative to paying rent for the space.

How Much Does it Cost to Start an ATM Business?

While we can’t give you an exact number, we can let you know how to figure the number before you purchase your machine. It’s a good idea to do some preliminary research on the cost of equipment, features, insurance, location, etc. 

That way you know whether this business is right for your goals and you know what to expect when it comes to your ROI. As you can tell, though, that when it comes to start-up costs, the ATM machine business has a much smaller overhead than many others. 

In the very simplest terms, you purchase a machine, set it up for use, and start making money. What makes it so simple is that you can find a business that already has a store and already has customers. And you get paid to make it better!

If you have any questions, you can contact us to speak to a representative. Then, contact us when you are ready to start your ATM business!