When two cold storage quotations differ significantly, it is usually not because one is cheaper — it is because the two are quoting two different scopes of work. The difference sits in the items nobody mentioned at signing, and that surface once construction has already started.
Why this happens
Owners tend to compare quotations on the bottom-line figure. Contractors know that. The simplest way to come in under a rival is to move items out of scope without saying so.
It is not always deliberate. In many cases it is simply a quotation drawn up in a hurry, without a proper site survey. But the consequence for the owner is the same.
Group 1 — Floor treatment and structure
- Floor insulation and waterproofing. A deep-freeze store also needs measures against floor freezing — a floor left frozen over time causes heave and structural cracking.
- Preparing the existing site. An uneven floor, weak ground, or old structures that have to be demolished.
- Support structures for equipment. Machine plinths, condenser supports, access platforms.
Group 2 — Electrical and controls
- Control cabinet — some quote it as one item, some break it out separately
- Running power from the main board to the store, including any supply upgrade if the existing capacity is not enough
- Temperature monitoring and alarm system — for export food and pharmaceutical stores this is mandatory, not optional
- Standby power supply for stores holding high-value goods
Group 3 — Store envelope fittings that get overlooked
- Door frame heater wire — mandatory for deep-freeze stores; without it the door freezes onto the frame
- Condensate drainage system, including freeze protection for the drain line on below-zero stores
- Pressure relief valves for sealed chambers
- PVC strip curtains or air curtains at doors with high traffic
- Dedicated lighting rated for low temperature
Group 4 — Documentation and approvals
- Pressure vessel inspection — required by regulation, with both a cost and a lead time
- Equipment fabrication records, particularly important for stores subject to GSP or HACCP audits
- As-built documentation and the actual installation drawings
- Temperature mapping for pharmaceutical stores
Group 5 — Delivery, commissioning and handover
- Delivery of equipment to site, especially on remote projects
- Craning and positioning the equipment where the site is tight or the equipment has to be lifted
- Refrigerant charging — the refrigerant charge for a large system is not a small line item
- Commissioning and balancing, including the run-in period before product goes in
- Operator training for the on-site team
How to request quotations you can actually compare
Rather than asking "how much for this store", give every contractor the same brief and ask them to quote against the same framework:
- The operating temperature range and the capacity you want
- The type of product, the daily intake volume, and the product temperature on arrival
- Any standards that apply: HACCP, GSP, export market requirements
- Ask them to state explicitly which items are included and which are not in the quotation
- Ask them to state the panel thickness and the grade and origin of the main equipment
This common brief is the strongest negotiating tool an owner has, and it costs almost nothing to prepare.
A note on low prices
A low quotation is not always a problem — the contractor may be local to the site, may have equipment in stock, or may want a reference project. What should worry you is a low price with no explanation for it.
And remember that electricity accounts for most of the lifecycle cost. Saving at the investment stage by reducing insulation thickness or downgrading equipment is usually paid back through the monthly electricity bill, for years.
Frequently asked questions about cold storage quotations
Why do cold storage quotations differ so much?
Usually not because one is cheaper but because the scopes of work differ. The common way to bring the bottom line down is to move items out of the quotation without saying so — floor treatment, control cabinets, inspection, delivery or commissioning.
Which items are left out most often?
Floor insulation and waterproofing, control cabinets and any power supply upgrade, door frame heater wires on deep-freeze stores, the condensate drainage system, pressure vessel inspection costs, and delivery to site.
How do you get quotations you can compare?
Give every contractor the same brief: temperature range, capacity, product type, daily intake volume, applicable standards. Ask them to state explicitly which items are included and which are not, along with the panel thickness and the origin of the main equipment.
Is a low quotation always a cause for suspicion?
No. The contractor may be local to the site, may have equipment in stock, or may want a reference project. What should worry you is a low price with no explanation for why it is low.
Why should you not economise on insulation thickness?
Because electricity accounts for most of a cold store's lifecycle cost. A one-off saving at the investment stage is usually paid back through the monthly electricity bill across years of operation.
When comparing several offers, checking them against a standard scope of work immediately exposes which items have been left out — see cold storage quote and the factors that make up the cost.
Related pages
- Choosing a cold storage contractor: the 7 questions to ask
- The factors that determine cold store investment cost
- 5 cold store design mistakes that cost for years
- Refrigeration system inspection: which equipment is mandatory
- Cold storage contractor services
Kỹ sư Nguyễn Toàn Thịnh (Giám đốc Kỹ thuật)
Hơn 18 năm kinh nghiệm thực chiến chỉ đạo tư vấn thiết kế và thi công hệ thống lạnh công nghiệp nặng, kho tự động ASRS và cấp đông IQF qua hơn 29 đại dự án quốc gia.
