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Storm shelters · Cost
Storm Shelters cost — what to expect and what to skip
What storm shelter work costs, and which of it you should not be paying for at all. Prices vary by region and by how much access the job needs. Where a job has a genuine do-it-yourself version we say so rather than quoting a number for it.
We don’t quote dollar figures because they vary too much by region and site. Use the table to read a quote line by line, and the list further down to spot what you shouldn’t be paying for.
1What the work involves
- The unit or safe room, sized for the people who will use it.
- Site work: cutting and digging for in-ground units, or checking and preparing the slab for above-ground ones.
- Anchoring to the slab or foundation, the way the unit was tested.
- Delivery and access, which can involve moving a unit through a garage or yard.
- Permits and inspection, where your city or county requires them.
Two jobs that usually need paid, careful work: anchoring on an existing slab and a retrofit into a finished basement or interior room.
2What drives the price
| Factor | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Type | In-ground, in-garage, above-ground and built-in safe rooms are different jobs | Why this type suits your house |
| Size | Larger units cost more to build, deliver and anchor | How many people it is rated for |
| Site and slab | Digging, rock, water and slab condition all add work | How the slab or site will be checked first |
| Anchoring | Anchors must match how the unit was tested | Anchor type and count, in writing |
| Access | Tight gates, finished rooms and stairs slow delivery | Whether delivery and placement are included |
| Permits | Many areas require a permit and inspection | Who pulls the permit, and whether fees are included |
3Things you should not pay for
These are decisions you can make yourself, checks you can do yourself, or upsells. Read the page before you pay anyone for them.
Claims of “certified” or “FEMA approved” with no paperwork. Ask for documentation of testing to a recognized standard and keep a copy. See storm shelter code.
4Do it yourself or hire a pro
Do it yourself
- Decide where the shelter goes and who will use it
- Register it if your city or county keeps a list
- Stock it with water, light, a radio and first aid
- Check the door and vents each season
Hire a pro
- Anchoring to a slab or foundation
- Cutting a garage floor or digging an in-ground unit
- Building a safe room into a finished interior
- Permits and inspection
Talk to a local installer and ask for the unit, site work, anchoring and permits as separate lines.
877-360-46575Questions
Why don’t you list prices?
Prices vary by region, site and shelter type. A number without that context misleads more than it helps.
Are there rebates for storm shelters?
Some areas have run rebate or grant programs for safe rooms. Ask your local emergency management office before you buy, since some programs need approval first.
Do I need a permit?
Many places require one. Check local code before work starts, and ask who pulls it.
Back to Storm shelters.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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