To read a racking quote, check that every line names a component, its size and its rated capacity, that the quantities match the layout drawing, and that the commercial terms state exactly what is and is not included. A good quote lists frames by height, depth and section, beams by length and capacity per pair, every accessory, and the delivery term, VAT, installation and inspection position.

We write these quotes every day, and the questions buyers ask most are the same ones: is this complete, is it comparable, and what is missing? This guide goes through a typical quote line by line so you can answer them yourself.

What should a complete racking quote contain?

It should contain a drawing, a bill of materials and a commercial summary, all with the same reference. The drawing shows plan and elevation, bay widths, beam levels and aisles. The bill of materials lists every part. The summary sets out price, delivery term, lead time and exclusions.

It should also say which design code the racking is designed to. SEMA advises buyers to make sure suppliers work to the SEMA code or the European standard EN 15512, which covers structural analysis, load types, component testing and safety factors (SEMA, how to find a pallet racking supplier; BSI, BS EN 15512). If the design basis is not stated, ask for it in writing.

How do you read the frame and beam lines?

Read each line for size, section and capacity, then check it against the drawing. The table shows what each common line should state.

Line item	What it should state	What to check
Upright frames	Height, depth, upright section or gauge, bracing pattern, base plate	Height suits the top beam level plus clearance; depth suits the pallet
Beams	Length, type (box or step), capacity per pair	Capacity at or above your heaviest load per level
Locking pins or clips	Type and quantity	One at each beam end
Decks or pallet support bars	Type, depth, quantity per level	Needed for weak pallets or hand-loaded stock
Row spacers	Length and quantity	Fitted between back-to-back frames
Floor anchors and shims	Anchor type and size, quantity	Suits your floor slab; shims for levelling
Protection	Upright protectors, run-end barriers	At aisle ends and exposed corners
Load notices	Who supplies and fits them	One per run, based on the load tables

Frame depth is a common mismatch. For a 1,200 x 1,000 mm UK pallet placed with the 1,000 mm side to the aisle, 1,100 mm deep frames are typical; presented on the 1,200 mm side, 900 mm frames are typical. Beam length follows the pallets per level: a 2,700 mm beam typically takes three Euro pallets, and a 3,300 mm beam three UK pallets on the 1,000 mm side. Our pallet racking beams page lists standard lengths and capacities.

What do the capacity figures mean?

Beam capacity is usually stated per pair, uniformly distributed, and frame capacity limits the total for the bay. Those are two different numbers, and both must be met. Our beam pairs, for example, are rated from 1,000 to 3,000 kg per level depending on length and section.

SEMA's load notice example shows why the bay figure matters. A bay with four beam levels each rated for two 1,000 kg pallets appears to hold 8,000 kg, but the safe bay load is 5,000 kg because the frames limit it (SEMA, racking load notices). A quote that states only beam capacities leaves out half the picture, so ask for the bay load as well.

The figures only hold for the configuration on the drawing. SEMA notes that changing the height to the first beam or removing the bottom beam can greatly reduce capacity. The load notice fitted on site must state the maximum load and any specified configuration (SEMA, load notices), so the quote and drawing should give your installer what they need to write it.

Do the quantities add up?

You can check them with four simple rules. For each run of racking:

• Frames = number of bays + 1 (a back-to-back run has two rows of frames).
• Beams = bays x beam levels x 2.
• Locking pins = beams x 2, one at each end.
• Floor anchors = frames x 2 feet x anchors per foot.

In the example, a back-to-back run of 12 bays on each side with four beam levels needs 26 frames, 192 beams, 384 locking pins and 104 floor anchors at two per foot. Row spacers depend on frame height; the drawing should show how many per frame pair. If a quote's numbers do not match these rules, either the layout is different from the drawing, or something has been left out.

Beam levels drive the count of small parts. Adding a level adds two beams and four locking pins per bay, but no frames. That is useful when comparing two quotes with different beam levels: check whether the frames have also been made taller or heavier to suit.

Which accessory lines are often missing?

Decks, support bars, row spacers, anchors and protection are the lines most often left out or priced as extras later. Each has a job:

• Mesh decks or pallet support bars carry pallets that would otherwise sag between beams, and stop goods falling through.
• Row spacers tie back-to-back frames together at the right gap.
• Floor anchors and shims fix and level each base plate; SEMA notes that racking designs include the number and type of floor fixings (SEMA, storage equipment installations).
• Upright protectors and run-end barriers protect frames at aisle ends and corners where trucks turn.

If two quotes differ widely in price, compare these lines first. A cheaper quote that omits protection or decks is not a cheaper project.

How do you read the commercial lines?

Check the delivery term, then work out which costs sit on your side. The term decides who pays for freight, insurance, customs and delivery; Incoterms 2020 rules define these responsibilities (ICC, Incoterms rules).

Commercial line	What to look for
Delivery term	FOB, CIF or DDP, and the named port or site
Lead time	Production and shipping separately, from drawing approval
Import VAT and duty	Whether included; for imports, VAT is charged on the customs value plus transport and duty
Installation	Included or not; who installs and their qualifications
Documents	Layout drawing, load tables, test reports on request
Payment terms	Deposit, balance and when each is due
Exclusions	Floor survey, building approvals, offloading, waste removal

For factory-direct quotes, remember import VAT: the value for VAT includes the customs value, transport to the first UK destination and any customs duty (GOV.UK, VAT on imports). Our guide to buying racking direct from a factory in China explains each delivery term, and how we work shows what we supply and what your installer does.

Installation deserves its own line. SEMA's guidance is that the customer is responsible for checking installer competence, and it points buyers to SEIRS-carded installers (SEMA, storage equipment installations). If installation is excluded, budget for it separately.

What are the red flags in a racking quote?

The main warning signs are missing detail and missing documents. Ask questions before you sign if you see any of these:

• no drawing, or a drawing that does not match the bill of materials;
• beams listed without a capacity per pair, or frames without a section;
• "equivalent", "standard duty" or similar wording in place of a specification;
• no mention of load tables, load notices or the design code;
• components from different manufacturers mixed without an engineer's check;
• no statement of delivery term, VAT or installation.

For a view of what drives the total, see how much pallet racking costs in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Why does one quote have more beams than another for the same layout?

Usually because the beam levels differ, or one quote includes a bottom beam level that the other leaves out. Check the elevation drawing for each quote and compare levels bay by bay.

Should a racking quote include load notices?

It should say who provides them. We supply load tables with each order, and the installer fits a load notice to each run based on those tables.

Is VAT included in a factory-direct racking quote?

Usually not on FOB or CIF terms, where you pay import VAT and any duty through your broker. On delivered duty paid terms, the quote should state clearly what is included.

Can I ask for the quote to be split by area or phase?

Yes. Ask for the bill of materials by run or zone, which also makes it easier to check quantities and plan installation.

Sources

• SEMA: How to find a pallet racking supplier
• SEMA: Racking load notices, why they are important
• SEMA: Load notices
• SEMA: Storage equipment installations
• BSI: BS EN 15512 Adjustable pallet racking systems, principles for structural design
• ICC: Incoterms rules
• GOV.UK: Paying VAT on imports from outside the UK