Here's How Much It Costs to Build a Tornado Shelter

When tornado warnings start lighting up your phone or sirens begin blaring, it's good to know you have a safe place to go. In areas that experience a lot of extreme weather, tornado shelters are a common home feature.

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What Is a Tornado Shelter

Tornado shelters, also called storm shelters or safe rooms, are reinforced structures designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. They protect people during tornadoes and other severe weather events.

Where Should You Install a Tornado Shelter?

Potential locations for storm shelter installation include:

• Basements

• Garages

• Underground in backyards

• Inside homes

The best place to install a tornado shelter depends on several factors, including your home's layout and the flood risk in your area. Underground tornado shelters may not be feasible in flood-prone areas. You should also choose a place you can access quickly as soon as a storm starts.

Licensed shelter installers and structural engineers can assess your needs and circumstances and provide tailored placement advice. Your local emergency planning office can also offer region-specific safety information.

How Much Does a Storm or Tornado Shelter Cost?

According to NerdWallet, average tornado shelter prices range from $3,000 to $13,000 (CAD 4,143 to CAD 17,954). This range is very broad because tornado shelters vary widely in terms of size, complexity and materials.

Affordable options like small underbed shelters could cost as little as $2,100 (CAD 2,900). Meanwhile, an underground structure designed for a large family could cost $20,000 (CAD 27,621) or more.

How Much Do Different Types of Tornado Shelters Cost?

The type of tornado shelter you build significantly impacts how much you'll pay. Here are some of the most popular storm shelter types and their associated costs.

Above-Ground Tornado Shelter Cost

Freestanding above-ground tornado shelters consist of a concrete or steel structure securely attached to a reinforced concrete foundation. They're less flood-prone than underground shelters and are quicker and cheaper to install. However, you'll need to sacrifice space inside your home or garage to accommodate your shelter. Most homeowners pay between $2,600 and $15,000 (CAD 3,591 and CAD 20,716) for an above-ground tornado shelter.

Underground Tornado Shelter Cost

An underground or inground tornado shelter is the most expensive option because you'll need to excavate below your home or yard. These models provide excellent wind and debris protection but can be prone to flooding. Underground shelters start from around $4,000 (CAD 5,524) but can easily exceed $20,000 (CAD 27,621) for models requiring extensive excavation and waterproofing.

Under-Bed Tornado Shelter Cost

Under-bed tornado shelters are pre-fabricated steel structures that slot under a bed and attach to a reinforced concrete foundation. As you might expect, these shelters are only suitable for two people at most, so they aren't a solution for larger families. They're cheaper to install than other shelter types at $2,100 to $4,500 (CAD 2,900 to CAD 6,215).

Safe Room Cost

Safe rooms are reinforced rooms made from concrete and steel that anchor to your house's foundation. You can locate a safe room anywhere on the lowest floor of your home. Many people choose to install them in garages or basements.

The cost of safe room installation depends on several factors, including the size and location. Small, prefabricated safe rooms start from around $3,000 (CAD 4,143). You could pay up to $10,000 (CAD 13,811) or more for a large, custom-built unit.

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What Factors Impact the Cost of a Tornado Shelter?

Understanding which factors impact the cost of a tornado shelter can help you choose the right option for your needs and budget. Below, we'll outline some factors to consider.

Tornado Shelter Size

The larger your tornado shelter, the more it will cost to manufacture and install. Tornado shelters sized to accommodate two to four people usually cost less than $5,000 (CAD 6,905). Prices increase to between $5,000 and $12,000 (CAD 6,905 to CAD 16,573) for a five-to-eight-person shelter. Larger shelters designed to house more than eight people or provide more spacious accommodation cost at least $15,000 (CAD 20,716).

Excavation

Excavation drives up tornado shelter and safe room installation prices because you'll need to pay for additional labor hours and excavation equipment. Rocky or clay-type soil is more challenging to excavate, driving prices higher.

Prefabricated Vs. Custom Tornado Shelters

As a rule of thumb, prefabricated storm shelters are the most affordable. Hiring a professional to design and make your storm shelter is more expensive, but it could be worth it if you have specific needs. For example, you could ask a pro to create a shelter that perfectly fits the dimensions of a closet or under-stairs space or to blend seamlessly with your existing decor.

Enhanced Features

While special features can make a tornado shelter more accessible or comfortable, they will also increase the price. Here are some examples of enhancements you can add to a tornado shelter:

• Sleeping areas

• Heating and air con

• Lighting

• Reinforced doors

• Wheelchair ramps and other accessibility add-ons

In some situations, you may need to upgrade your tornado shelter to make it work with the rest of your home. For example, underground storm shelters beneath a garage may require reinforced roofs to cope with the weight of cars. Alternatively, you may decide to have your tornado shelter double as a wine cellar or pantry. While building a double-purpose storm shelter costs more, it can also increase the usable living space in your home.

What Are Tornado Shelters Made Of?

Tornado shelters can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, fiberglass and steel. As a rule of thumb, concrete or fiberglass tornado shelters are cheaper than steel structures. However, steel tornado shelters usually have longer lifespans, so they could work out more economical in the long run.

How Long Does Tornado Shelter Installation Take?

The time it takes to install a tornado shelter depends on the type and location. Often, professionals can install a prefabricated above-ground shelter within a day. Underground shelters take at least three days to install and could take longer, depending on the complexity, size and difficulty involved in excavation.

Whether you have a preexisting concrete slab can also affect the installation time. Expect your project to take longer if you need to pour a new concrete foundation to anchor your tornado shelter.

Building a customized tornado shelter can take several weeks. Tasks like designing your structure, sourcing the materials and having parts specially manufactured all increase the installation time.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.