Payment Systems for Laundry-Help! :)

[Seth Kingston]

We are updating the laundry room in our 60 unit complex and plan to buy new commercial washers and dryers. The laundry room is a separate, key card access-secure building at the center of 6 garden-style apartment buildings.  Is a card system worth the money? (We were quoted $20,000 for setup.)  Is there a reliable phone app for our tenants that anyone has experience with?  We would like to move away from coins to minimize risk for our property managers.  Thanks in advance for your knowledge and expertise.  

[Andy McQuade]

$20k seems excessive, unless that includes the new machines and utility upgrades.

Good quality commercial machines (similar to a laundromat) should run somewhere in the $1.3-2k each depending on size and features - they usually have a 5 year warranty and are easily owner-serviced.  Avoid combo washer/dryers and avoid leased equipment if you can.

Most commercial units require a solid base (like a concrete or spancrete pad) to minimize vibrations, a 2"-3" water main, and a 6" drain.  That can get pricey. 

The card readers themselves are usually a few hundred each as an addon to the machine, and the card recharger - if 100% remote with a phone line and the ability to charge to a debit/credit card is usually close to $3k, not including power and phone connections. 

Most manufacturers also include a fully managed option where the cards are issued and recharged at your leasing office via a a PC connection and swipe system someone has to be present to run. These usually run closer to $1-$1.5k.

I always recommend installing a laundry chemical dispenser at the site as well, with single-use size refills.  This becomes a massive profit center once installed that outpaces the income from laundry once utility costs are calculated in.