How Much Does It Cost To Install A Walk-In Cooler?

$6,000

(10 sq.ft)
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Walk-in Cooler Costs

Indoor Cost Guides      Kitchen Designers      Walk-in Cooler Costs

A room-sized, self-contained unit that may be as small as ten square feet or an entire building, a walk-in cooler is used in an array of commercial settings and purposes. It may be used to store ingredients in a restaurant or bakery, but just as easily as storage for large quantities of meat and dairy, and more. It is rarely something installed in a home, and often requires upgrades to the structure, electrical services, ductwork, and more.

The wide variety of sizing options makes a universal price difficult to provide, though experts say that a unit may range from as little as $1,000 to upwards of $10,000, or more.

The factors that affect pricing include the size of the cooled space, the number of updates needed to the electrical system and hardware including the potential for heavy-duty wiring, more breakers and new transformers, plumbing upgrades, and the layout of the building in which the walk-in cooler is installed.

Walk-in cooler installation: 10 sq.ft. either use for personal or commercial porpuses.

Item Cost
Cooler $1,000-$5,000
Labor Cost (installation) $2,000-$4,000
Total Cost $3,000-$9,000

 

Other considerations and costs

  • The pricing does not reflect the need for permits. Some areas require an array of permits, including those from both building and health departments.
  • It may be possible to save on the cost of a walk-in cooler installation by opting to install outdoors and spare the expense of structural updates. However, there will need to be a concrete slab present or one installed, and the structure will need protection from rain, winter weather, and harsh conditions.
  • The size and power of the refrigeration system will also have an impact on pricing, with the more powerful or higher horsepower systems requiring a large outlay and more in terms of power requirements.
  • Additional costs may come from the inclusion of remote systems that allow heat to be released outside of the building, side-mounted systems that remain low to the ceiling, saddle mount systems and more.
  • Upgrades to the door may also boost the cost of the project, and automatic door closers may help to keep the air temperature regulated, but also come at a premium price.
  • Delivery is also a factor to consider, whether the unit is turnkey or needs to be assembled, the number of components makes delivery a significant project and one that should be managed by the individual or firm handling the actual installation.
  • Opting for flooring can help to keep costs and maintenance down over the long term, though sanitizing the flooring is an essential task.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

  • The installation of a walk-in refrigerator is never a DIY issue. There are far too many factors that can affect the safety and operability of the unit. Though there are many prefabs and/or turnkey options, there is always going to be the need for a professional in HVAC, electricity, and plumbing to do the installation.

References

  • Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
  • Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
  • Literature review of DIY Web sites.
How much does it cost to install a walk-in cooler in your city?
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Cost by city

(10 sq.ft)
  • New York, NY$9,638
  • Bronx, NY$7,920
  • Brooklyn, NY$6,601
  • Philadelphia, PA$8,235
  • Washington, DC$7,146
  • Atlanta, GA$6,465
  • Miami, FL$5,880
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL$6,159
  • Minneapolis, MN$7,226
  • Chicago, IL$8,419
  • Houston, TX$8,683
  • San Antonio, TX$5,829
  • Austin, TX$6,600
  • Denver, CO$5,577
  • Phoenix, AZ$5,884
  • Las Vegas, NV$6,458
  • Los Angeles, CA$7,276
  • San Diego, CA$6,603
  • San Jose, CA$7,975
  • Seattle, WA$5,839

Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours: