How to Choose a Warehouse or Cold Room to Rent: A Checklist

1. Temperature Regime

First, determine what conditions your products need. Frozen meat, fish and ice cream generally require a freezer chamber (−18°C or lower); fruit, vegetables and dairy products need a cold room (usually 0…+5°C); and packaged goods, containers and building materials need a dry warehouse.

• Does the chamber maintain a stable temperature;
• How is temperature monitored and logged;
• What happens in the event of a power outage or technical failure.

2. Floor Area and Layout

Assess not only your current volume but also seasonal peaks. A chamber that is too small leads to overloading and poor air circulation, while one that is too large means unnecessary costs.

• How many pallets or boxes need to fit;
• Ceiling height and pallet stacking options;
• Whether the space can be expanded or reduced as needed.

3. Access for Trucks and Railcars

Logistical convenience directly affects your costs and time.

• Can large trucks enter and turn around easily;
• Is there a railway siding, if you receive goods by railcar;
• How close is the warehouse to main roads and your customers.

4. Loading Equipment

• Forklifts and hand pallet trucks;
• Freight elevators, if the warehouse has multiple floors;
• Trained staff for loading and unloading;
• How quickly operations can be completed without breaking the cold chain.

5. Security

• Video surveillance and site security;
• Access control — who can enter your chamber;
• Fire safety measures and cleanliness.

6. Working Hours and Contract

Find out during which hours you can deliver and collect goods and whether this fits your schedule. In the contract, pay attention to:

• The rental term and renewal conditions;
• Which services are included in the price and which are extra;
• Each party's responsibility for the temperature regime and the cargo;
• The procedure for terminating the contract.

7. Experience and Reputation

Ask how long the company has been in business and what types of clients it serves. Find out whether similar products are already stored in the warehouse and how practical matters are handled: for example, how loading is scheduled on busy days or how communication works in unforeseen situations. Quick, transparent answers from the manager often point to a good working relationship.

And finally: before making a decision, be sure to visit the warehouse in person.

Get to Know Georgian Holding

Georgian Holding offers freezer chambers (−18…−22°C), cold rooms (0…+5°C), dry warehouses and office space; chambers range from 32 to 145 m². Georgian Holding has served more than 300 clients in Tbilisi for 15 years. We have a private railway siding, forklifts, freight elevators and video surveillance. Call us at +995 555 16 77 77 (Monday–Friday, 09:00–21:00) or browse the chamber catalog on our website. We will be happy to show you the facility on site.