Every square foot matters for building owners and property managers in New York City. Having a well-designed and functional central laundry room isn’t just a convenience for tenants, it’s an asset that can help increase satisfaction for tenants, improve retention, and generate passive income.
If you’re considering designating space in your apartment building for a central laundry room, here’s how you can get started.
Inspect the Infrastructure of Your Building
Before making any choices regarding machines or layout, you’ll want to make sure that your property’s existing infrastructure will work with a new set of water-based appliances.
You’ll want to consider:
- Plumbing Capabilities– will your building be able to handle additional water usage, supply, and drainage? We can supply High Efficiency Washers
- Electrical Use– do you need upgrades to accommodate commercial washers and dryers?
- Gas Lines– If opting for gas dryers, you’ll need to confirm power capacity, compliance, and safety measures.
- Proper Ventilation– will you be able to vent effectively for safety and efficiency?
- Configuration for Space– do you have a basement, ground floor, or unused storage rooms or common areas?
If you have an older building in New York, you may need to upgrade the infrastructure, however, these upgrades can enhance the longevity and long-term performance of your building. Don’t Worry – our team can provide a free no obligation survey to evaluate your infrastructure
Knowing NYC Codes & Compliance Requirements
New York City has strict standards and codes for building, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety. It’s important to adhere to compliance and proper permits to avoid fines or delays. You’ll need the help of licensed plumbers and electricians, proper venting and fire safety precautions, ADA accessibility, and the proper permits and inspections.
When you partner with an experienced central laundry company in New York City, they’ll be able to advise what you will need with all of these facets and ensure that your installation goes smoothly and adheres to the strictest codes and standards.
Factoring in Design & Tenant Experience
Since a central laundry room is a shared space that can be utilized at any time of day or night, you’ll want to make sure that it’s clean, safe, and functional. A central laundry room should have:
- Proper lighting
- Security cameras or access control
- Surfaces for folding
- Signage for safety and instructions
- Congestion-proof layout
Planning for Ongoing Maintenance & Service
While machines can run effectively and efficiently, over time there may be some issues that prevent them from performing at their best. If you buy and install the machines yourself, you’ll need to consider future maintenance and finding the right company to handle the task when an issue arises.
If you go with a company that offers central laundry services, they will provide the maintenance and service for you, saving you from having to scour vendor lists and making multiple phone calls.
Choosing Your Revenue Model
Having a central laundry room in your apartment building is a great way to make passive income. Although, when you consider the costs of machines and service, it may be a while before you see a return on investment. Going with specialized central laundry room services can help you avoid these issues and help you generate revenue faster.
Automatic Industries pays rent for the space in your apartment building and designs and installs the central laundry systems. This can save you from the upfront costs of the machinery and installation, all while generating revenue by renting out a space you normally wouldn’t.
Partner with a Central Laundry Company Today
As you’ve read, there’s a lot of moving parts and factors to consider with installing a central laundry room in your apartment building. With permits, safety considerations, and choosing the equipment, there’s a lot of decisions and considerations that can become overwhelming when beginning your planning.
Automatic Industries is here to help make it a simpler process. We have extensive experience in New York City and can easily navigate the complexities of permits, installation, and service.
Want to keep your tenants happy all while generating more revenue from your build? Contact Automatic Industries today to get started!