Warehouse automation does not have a single price. Investment varies with goods, movements, space and integration scope. A useful quotation starts by defining the problem and comparing alternatives that deliver the same operational outcome.
What a quotation should include
Ask for an itemized scope: racking, handling equipment, internal transport, software, installation, integration, training and commissioning. Civil works, electrical upgrades and fire protection may require separate budgets.
An equipment-only price cannot be compared with a complete project. Confirm currency, payment terms, transport, taxes, warranties, maintenance and spare parts. Include anything your company must provide in the comparison.
Which data changes the budget
Storage positions matter, but do not define the project alone. Load dimensions and weights, peak movements, product variety, picking sequences and building conditions also matter.
Expected growth affects the design. Expansion may need reserved space, electrical capacity, licences or prepared interfaces. Ask the proposal to explain what can expand and which elements would need replacing.
Comparing manual, partial and automated improvements
Evaluate different approaches to the same problem. If time is lost finding goods, review identification and locations first. If space is the constraint, compare layout, racking and automated storage against loads and movements.
Each option should identify the intended improvement, capacity constraints and measurement method. More technology does not necessarily mean lower total cost. A manual approach is not always enough either: compare against the actual operation.
Calculating payback without double-counting savings
Simple payback compares the initial investment with annual net savings. Deduct new maintenance, license, energy and other operating costs. If cash flows vary over time, the financial analysis should reflect those changes.
Freeing an area does not save rent if the same building is still paid for. It may avoid future expansion, which is a separate benefit. Similarly, shorter routes can free time to handle more orders without reducing payroll. Separate these effects.
Financing and tax: use current written terms
Credit or leasing can spread payments, but adds terms to assess: interest, currency, guarantees, instalments and fees. Approval rests with the financial institution.
Tax and customs advisers should assess benefits for the company and each item’s classification. Do not deduct assumed benefits from the price before confirming eligibility.
The right price is calculated for your operation
STOKA provides free advice and quotations. Share your challenge, current layout and available movement data. We use these to define what to review and which alternatives are worth quoting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Assess an area or process and plan later stages. Compatibility and expansion options are defined during design.
No. STOKA advice, assessment and quotations are free.
No. It only reduces rent if it removes a payment obligation. It may also avoid expansion or support growth within the same building.
Describe the challenge, warehouse dimensions, load types and normal and peak movements. If you do not have these data yet, we can help identify what to measure.