“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin

Whether you are a new business owner or have owned your business for years, you know planning is pivotal to success. Over 90% of startups fail for various reasons, with bad preparation and planning often playing a large part in these failures. In the same way that you develop a business plan when starting a new company or location, so should you develop a plan for your walk-in cooler. Like any other industry, it takes time to manufacture, build, and install all the components that go into your walk-in cooler.

1. The first step to success is finding all the right people to help you along the way. You should seek out quotes from multiple cooler companies (unless you already have a reliable company in whom you trust). You should also seek out bids for a certified HVACR installer to do the installation of both the cooler box and refrigeration (again, if you have a trusted resource already, you are already one step ahead). Remember, it never hurts to ask for references to ensure a high quality of work and professionalism.
2. Make sure you plan according to your schedule, but also everyone else’s. As a cooler manufacturer, we strive to keep our lead time as short as possible, but sometimes demand supersedes supply, and a large influx of work comes in all at once. Always make sure to ask what lead times are when you receive a quote. It is also critical to verify this is still valid when you are ready to place a purchase.
3. Verify that the certified HVACR installer / electrician you choose to work with is comfortable with the refrigeration equipment specified by the cooler company (unless the HVACR installer is the one providing the equipment). Building the cooler box and starting up the refrigeration properly are both equally important in ensuring there are no short- or long-term issues with your cooler.
4. Once you have placed your cooler purchase and chosen your certified HVACR installer, make sure the installer’s schedule lines up with the cooler/refrigeration delivery. Coolers and refrigeration equipment are large, and often either require a forklift or a crew of people to unload from a truck. Not being prepared for this can result in added costs from the shipping company, the cooler company, and/or the installer.
5. With your cooler installed, verify that everything is sealed up tight and in working order. Monitor the refrigeration closely for the first 2-3 weeks to make sure there are no sizable deviations in temperature. Make sure there is no ice buildup or water accumulation inside of the box. Also make sure all hardware installed is in good shape to prevent any incidents in the workplace.

The most important thing you can do during this process is ask questions. If you are unsure of anything, consult your cooler company or your certified HVACR installer. A cooler failure can result in the loss of thousands of dollars of product. Remember, there are no stupid questions when it comes to the money, time and effort you invest in your company.