What if you could handle all your business storage needs for an awesome price?

More businesses are looking to pallet racking as a solution for their storage needs. While this form of racking has many benefits, some entrepreneurs are understandably curious about how much it will all cost.

Here, then, is our guide to how much you can expect to pay, on average, for your pallet racking system.

What Is a Pallet Racking System?

We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide regarding the costs and consideration of this racking system. First, though, it’s important to define what pallet racking actually is.

Really, the name says it all: this is a specialized form of racking that helps you store various item pallets. Each horizontal row can store many different pallets, and you can build racking up across multiple vertical levels relative to your ceiling height and overall capacity.

If your business must store many products in boxes, this kind of racking system is an innovative and easy-to-use system. And there are many different types of racking for you to choose from.

Different Types of Racking

We often think of pallet racking as one big thing. However, there are different kinds of racking systems, some of which may be more suitable for your needs than others. And the exact racking system you choose ultimately affects the price.

Single-deep pallet racking is the most traditional system. It is easy to grab the pallets from such a system, but it may not offer the density that your storage system needs.

Double-deep pallet racking is one way to address that density issue. This form of racking adds a second row of pallets behind the initial row. Keep in mind that this will make the pallets further back difficult for you to access.

Pushback pallets (also known as gravity-flow pallets) solve the access issue in a clever way. As you remove one pallet, gravity forces another pallet down for easy access.

Finally, drive-in pallets (also known as drive-through pallets) make it easier to access shelves with a forklift. Such a system can be particularly useful for larger warehouses and larger storage needs.

Different Cost Factors

We’ve got our estimated costs further below. But how, exactly, did we calculate these amounts?

The numbers are meant to be inclusive. For example, they don’t just include material costs. These numbers also include installation, freight, and management costs.

Because it varies from place to place, these numbers do not include sales tax. And we relied on certain estimates about space and weight.

For example, the numbers assume pallets are 48” deep x 40” wide and that you wouldn’t need to hold more than 2,500 pounds on a pallet. We also assumed that your boxes would be no more than 20” deep x 15” wide and weigh no more than 40 pounds.

Because of these assumptions, your final costs may be more or less than these estimates. But understanding the calculations can help you estimate the pallet racking costs for your own business.

Assorted Cost Estimates

So, what are the numbers? We have estimates for the different pallet systems right here.

A single-deep, selective pallet system generally costs between $50 to $75 per pallet. And per pallet, you pay extra for assorted features such as crossbars ($12-$16), wire decking ($15-$21), upright protectors ($20-$30), and end of aisle protectors ($105-$125).

Double-deep pallets have an initial cost of $75-$105 per pallet. The costs for those extra features are generally the same for double-deep pallets.

Pushback pallet costs vary based on how many pallets deep you need to go. Two pallets deep costs between $151-$181, and you can go all the way to five pallets deep, which costs between $243-$273.

Drive-in pallets also vary based on how many pallets deep you are going. Two pallets deep costs between $121-$135, while four pallets deep will run you $115-$129.

Used: A Way to Save

Getting a bit of sticker shock with some of these prices? Fortunately, there is a cheaper solution that may still meet your storage needs.

Rather than buying everything new, you can rely on used warehouse racking instead. As with any other product, buying used allows you to potentially save a lot of money. And you still end up with a sturdy product that gets the job done!

How to Choose the Right Rack

Knowing about the many different pallets and their costs is enough to make your head spin. This brings up an obvious question: how do you choose the pallet system that is best for you and your business?

The single-deep system is the simplest and most popular of pallet systems. It is the best choice for smaller businesses or businesses that rely more on services than products.

Pushback pallets, meanwhile, are best suited for high-intensity business. If your business relies on very quickly loading and unloading pallets at high frequencies, this may be your best choice.

And while it may be obvious, drive-in pallets are ideal for businesses that rely on forklifts. If you have enough space to need a forklift for your pallets, then you’re going to need a racking system built to accommodate those forklifts.

Hidden Costs and How to Avoid Them

The costs we mentioned above are the direct, initial costs of pallets. Over time, though, some hidden costs may rack up if you are not careful.

Someone that has drive-in racking, for example, should regularly inspect the racking for damage from forklift impact. Like it or not, such impact is inevitable, and regular inspection is your way of staying on top of it.

And those costly protectors we mentioned earlier? They can actually save you money in the long run. Without such protectors, the durability of everything you store is at risk. Any damage, of course, can cut seriously into your bottom line.

No two workplaces are exactly the same. Be sure to design the pallet system that is perfect for your workplace to increase efficiency and avoid hidden costs.

Your Next Business Decision

Now you know how important (and how costly) pallet racking can be. But do you know who can help you make more important business decisions?

We bring you groundbreaking news every single week. To keep your business ahead of the competition, check out our Business/Finance section today!