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.