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I am in a small bldg, 10 one bedroom apt. We are going to install 2 washers and dryers in the building basement. We are not using a service. We have looked into coin op to offset the electric/water costs. However, we are concerned about the added work with having to deal with coins. We thought about doing a lock box for people to put money in, as in the honor system. Obiviously there are flaws with the honor system, cheating, etc. But will the flaws outweigh the not having to hassle with coins (jamming, converting to paper money, etc.) Any insights on how small buildings handle their landry would be appreciated.
We are a co-op. We were planning on buying out right as we are only getting four machines total. We looked into laundry services, but couldn't seem to find anyone interested in that small a building. No machines are allowed in apts. We are a five story brownstone, so a very small intimate type building. We looked into the card reader thing but couldn't really find any specific info, leading me to think that it was more for a service or professional laundry. The main reason for a pay system was to offset the potential increase in utilities. so we wouldn't have to raise maintenance to do it.
AdC pretty much hit it on the head.
Free is where you want to be.
Budget all your line items in, and add it to the monthly maintenance. You still should consider some type of coin system that uses a special slug or card. this way you can track the usage, and avoid residents using it to do their friends laundry since it is free.
Good Luck
~AR
Have you tried Hercules? They may serve you.
We earn $100 a month from Hercules, no matter how much the machines/driers are used (43 units).
Remember that number when you look for ways to offset rising utility fees, because you won't get much compared to the cost of electricity and water. In fact, you may just break even when you consider that you will use more water and electricity to run the washers & driers. Instead, think of them as an amenity for the building that will make it more attractive to buyers (and for residents!).
my opinion is that your building is small enough just to a monthly fee for washers n dryers added to the maintenance. I mean what the heck, why bother with by adding honor system (that usually dont work) or added work of collecting coins, freeing jaming coins etc. A large commerical Laundry company may not want to bother as there is little profit for them.
Again, make if free and just have the cost divided by 10 and added to the monthly bill. Regarless if people use it or not, as it is there should they need it.
I think it is the better way for small buildings.
Pgrech
I would agree that doing it for free would be ideal. How much more are you going to spend for having one to four machines? $100 a month in utilities or $1200 a year or $120 more a year maintenance, i.e., $12 a month per apartment!!! You are talking peanuts.
Everyone pays through maintenance the service and be done. Obviously, if you buy your machines, then you have replacement costs and service contract to add to your budget. I'm sure it will not be that much and will take the quarters, the use of cards, etc. out of everyone's mind. Similarly, everyone will be conscious that their friends, if using the machines because it's free will realize that their maintenance will go up as a result of more equipment downtime, replacements and utilities.
AdC
Just wondering, do you know if these new dryers would have lint containers that could easily be cleaned after each use or are they like the large one in our small building which is locked, and can only be cleaned by the super? Of course, I'm thinking of fire safety, since lint fires in an unattended basement could be real trouble, of course.
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Several things you can do... need more input...
Coop or Condo?
Are unit owners permitted at this point to have machines in their apartments?
does the building have the cash to purchase outright or are they planning on leasing?
Some options without hearing your response is coin machine, card credits (different ways of doing this), raising maintenance and providing it free, lease it out...
~AR
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