7 min read
Key takeaways
- Racking must be fully unloaded and dismantled from the top down, in a planned order.
- It’s skilled work at height. Use a trained team with suitable access equipment, not warehouse staff with ladders.
- Good-condition racking can often be reused or sold; damaged racking still has scrap value.
- Check your lease for floor reinstatement before the racking comes out.
Pallet racking goes up in a matter of days, but taking it down safely is a different job. Racking is designed to hold heavy loads in a stable, braced structure. Removing beams and frames in the wrong order can make it unstable, and much of the work happens at height.
Whether you’re relocating, changing your layout or handing a warehouse back to the landlord, this guide explains how racking removal should be done, what affects the cost, and what happens to the racking afterwards.
Can you dismantle pallet racking yourself?
Technically, there’s nothing stopping a business using its own staff. In practice, it’s rarely a good idea. Racking removal involves working at height, handling heavy steel and managing a structure that becomes less stable as it’s taken apart. Mistakes cause injuries and damage to the building.
A specialist team will have the right access equipment, a method statement for the job, and experience of the order in which different racking systems need to come apart. If you’re thinking of reusing the racking, a careful removal also stops components being damaged.
How pallet racking should be removed
1. Unload completely
Every pallet and item must be removed from the bays being dismantled. Never dismantle racking that still holds stock.
2. Set up an exclusion zone
Barrier off the area so forklifts and staff can’t walk into the work zone while racking is coming down.
3. Remove accessories
Take out decking, mesh, pallet supports, signage, end-of-aisle protectors and anti-collapse mesh first.
4. Dismantle from the top down
Beams are removed from the top level down, working bay by bay, using suitable access equipment such as mobile elevating work platforms. Staff should never climb the racking.
5. Lower and release the frames
Once the beams are out, the frames are unbolted from the floor and lowered in a controlled way.
6. Sort and stack
Components are sorted by type and size, inspected and stacked for reuse, resale or scrap.
7. Deal with the floor
Anchor bolts are removed or cut flush, and holes can be filled if your lease requires it.
What about mezzanine floors?
Mezzanines are load-bearing structures, so they need even more careful planning. Power to lighting and sockets must be isolated first, then decking, handrails, stairs and gates are removed before the steel frame is taken apart in sequence. If you have both racking and a mezzanine, plan them as one job so the order of work makes sense.
What affects the cost of racking removal?
- Number of bays and beam levels
- Height of the racking and the access equipment needed
- Type of racking, such as standard adjustable, drive-in, narrow aisle or cantilever
- Condition and resale value: racking from known manufacturers in good condition is worth more
- Floor reinstatement if your lease requires it
- Access and working hours
Because racking is steel, it always has some value, so a good quote will account for that. On many warehouse strip outs, the steel value makes a real difference to the final cost.
Can old pallet racking be reused or sold?
Often, yes. Racking in good condition can be reinstalled in your new building or sold to another business. Before it’s reused, it should be inspected for damage, and the new layout should be designed for the loads it will carry, with the correct load notices.
Racking that’s damaged or too old to reuse is recycled as scrap steel. Either way, it shouldn’t go to landfill.
Racking removal and your lease
If you’re leaving a leased warehouse, check what your lease says about returning the floor. Many leases expect anchor holes to be filled and the floor made good. Leaving this out can add to a dilapidations claim. Our guide to the schedule of dilapidations explains how that process works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to remove pallet racking?
A small installation can often be removed in a day or two. Large distribution centres with high-bay racking may take a few weeks.
Is old pallet racking worth anything?
Yes. Good-condition racking can be resold, and all racking has scrap steel value. That value is usually taken off the cost of removal.
Do I need to empty the racking before removal?
Yes. Racking must be fully unloaded before dismantling starts. If you have stock left, ask your clearance company whether they can clear or buy it as part of the job.
Who fills the anchor holes after racking is removed?
It depends on what you agree. Some clearance companies include floor making-good; others leave it to a separate contractor. Make sure it’s covered if your lease requires it.
Need racking or a mezzanine removed?
We’ll measure up, value the steel and give you a fixed written quote. Read more about our warehouse strip out service, or browse all our commercial clearances.