Building a root cellar will cost about $7,000 or between $2,600 and $11,500 based on its placement, size, and your region.
What’s old is new again, and root cellars are making a modern comeback. With many homeowners wanting fresh fruits, vegetables, root crops, and nuts all year long, root cellars provide a dark, dry, and low-temperature environment for produce to thrive. For a fully or partially underground root cellar, you can expect to pay between $2,600 to $11,500. To build a simplified root cellar above ground, you'll pay $200 or less.
There are various types of root cellars, including above-ground, below-ground, basement, and more. Which type you build impacts your final cost.
| Root Cellar Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Above-Ground | $200–$25,000 |
| Below-Ground | $10,000–$55,000 |
| Basement | $10,000–$25,000 |
| Garage Floor | $3,000–$9,000 |
| FEMA Safe Room/Storm Shelter | Up to 75% of the total cost |
Depending on the type, above-ground root cellars range from $200 for a crawl space to $25,000 for cinder blocks, concrete, insulation, and professional labor and building.
In-ground root cellars are usually built into a hillside or below ground, making them exceptional for storing many crops. Depending on the type of materials you use, equipment rental, and labor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $55,000 for this project.
To add a root cellar to your existing basement, you’ll have to do some remodeling. To add a gravel floor, proper ventilation, climate control, and shelving, you can expect to spend between $10,000 to $25,000.
Garage floor root cellars are smaller than in-ground units, but they make it easy for homeowners who want underground storage without leaving the house. This option saves time and hassle— homeowners do not need to head outdoors to clear snow or debris off an in-ground root cellar door. You can expect to pay between $3,000 to $9,000 for this type.
When considering building an above-ground root cellar, many homeowners choose to create a FEMA Safe Room or Storm Shelter (FEMA P-361) to help cover up to 75% of the costs.
The requirements for a tornado or hurricane storm shelter mirror the dimensions of an above-ground root cellar, making this option feasible for those living in storm-heavy areas.
Depending on the intricacy of your root cellar, materials can be one of the highest or lowest costs. The least expensive option is using recycled materials found around your home.
But if you’re looking to construct a root cellar from scratch, you’ll have to account for these materials costs:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Gravel floor | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Concrete walls | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Plywood | $30 per sheet |
| Insulation | $20–$30 per sheet |
| Doors | $500–$3,500 |
| Refrigeration | $1,000–$10,000 |
| Thermometer | $100 |
| Hygrometer (for humidity) | $25 |
| Storage Shelves/Containers | $250–$1,500 |
| Drainage | $1,900–$6,000 |
If you plan on making your root cellar underground, excavating the area is important. However, the cost of excavation can get pretty steep depending on where you place your root cellar—$4,000 for the average project. With so many factors, like uneven ground and unknown variables lurking under the soil, it’s best to hire a pro excavation company to ensure your space has a proper foundation.
Many root cellars are made entirely of concrete, which can get pretty pricey. The cost of a concrete slab can range from $3,600 to $7,200, with the average being $5,400. This pricing will vary based on how much concrete you need, how thick you’re making your concrete, and the extra reinforcement tools like rebar to ensure your concrete stays secure for years to come.
You should budget 30% for professional labor costs to build your root cellar.
To prevent your crops from withering and rotting, you’ll need to keep the humidity below 95% in your root cellar. Many cold climates provide proper temperatures below ground, but if you live in a warmer climate, you’ll need to insulate your cellar to keep it cool. You can expect to pay between $100 to $3,500 for climate control.
The average size and depth of a root cellar is 100 square feet. Smaller root cellars run 5 by 8 square feet. Depending on the size, you can expect to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000 to build your root cellar.
| Square Feet | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 40 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| 80 | $5,000–$10,000 |
| 100 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| 150 | $20,000–$30,000 |
Certain fruits and veggies, such as apples and pears, emit ethylene gas—a natural occurrence that ripens fruits. To avoid overripening all of your stored crops, you’ll need to account for proper air ventilation in your root cellar. To install intake and exhaust vents, you can expect to pay $300 to $6,000.
Root cellars require low temperatures, high humidity, ventilation, a dry or damp space, no sunlight, and accessibility. To meet these needs, you ideally need to live in an area with a cooler climate so you can dig out a root cellar.
Luckily, there are many different types of root cellars, so you can build one that meets the needs of your current climate and your home’s square footage.
In naturally cold climates like New England, you can build an above-ground root cellar to store herbs, grains, squash, beans, onions, and garlic. These items survive well in cooler temperatures, and they don’t require the moisture that comes with an in-ground root cellar. You can expect to pay between $200 to $25,000 for this option.
To construct a root cellar in the Southeast, Southwest, and Far West, such as Arizona and Texas, there will be a cost increase to account for the extra insulation to cool your root cellar from the heat. You’ll want to plan to spend between $500 and $25,000 or more.
States with a lot of rainfall and humidity are not ideal for below-ground root cellars. For example, Louisiana is considered a sub-tropical area and has a high water table, which means there’s no option for an in-ground root cellar. An above-ground root cellar won’t work either because it is too humid outside. For this area, adding a freestanding refrigerated root cellar inside your home will run around $900 for a prefabricated fridge and an average of $30,000 for a custom-made refrigerator designed for your lifestyle.
Many metropolitan homeowners can enjoy the benefits of fresh produce year-round without needing to build an in-ground root cellar. You can store your crops inside your home in coolers or insulated bins that run from $200 to $3,000. Choose a cooler that holds a temperature of 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the top open 1/4 inch for ventilation.
Typically, rural homeowners benefit from ample space to build a root cellar of their choosing. With numerous options available, you can expect to spend an average of $3,000 to $15,000 for an above-ground cellar and $4,000 to $30,000 for an underground root cellar.
Smaller above-ground root cellars are great for DIY enthusiasts. You can build a barrel root cellar, create a berm—a rounded mound of soil that creates a barrier to the outside, or dig a crawl space.
You’ll save 30% on labor costs, and you can work on your root cellar at your own pace. You’ll need a drill, safety goggles, screws, storage baskets, and low-cost or recycled building materials. You can expect to spend $500 or less on these options.
First, experienced DIYers can install small prefabricated root cellars for as little as $1,000. However, larger prefabricated root cellars cost between $10,000 to $30,000, and they require heavy equipment for installation, so it’s best to leave that to the pros.
Second, we recommend that only professionals take on building an in-ground root cellar. You’ll need to hire a local structural engineer or an architect in your area to draw up building plans for this project.
Finally, you will need to hire a licensed contractor near you to properly construct your root cellar, following all local safety and building codes. You can expect to spend between $10,000 to $55,000 for professionals, materials, installation, and labor for this project.
You can dig out an above-ground root cellar from an outbuilding, such as a metal storage locker, for a more DIY and less expensive approach. This option provides a cool, damp temperature and plenty of ventilation.
Another inexpensive option is transforming the space underneath your deck into a semi-above ground root cellar with metal bins and plastic sheeting.
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Depending on your structure, you may not need planning permission. Major excavation, anything that changes the external appearance of your home, or any construction that will affect your neighbors will need planning permission. However, no planning permission is required if you’re just converting an existing space into a root cellar.
It depends on your budget and what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking for a fast and easy solution, buying a cooler or prefabricated root cellar is a good choice.
But, if you want ample storage space to house your many fruits, vegetables, and root crops, you should build a root cellar for the long term.
Some root cellars are made with concrete, but a dirt floor may be better for your crops' longevity. Dirt can help maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity level, while the concrete might suck up all the moisture. Dirt floors can also bring down the overall cost of your root cellar. But, if you’re going with a dirt floor, make sure you properly insulate between your house and the root cellar.
Vents in a root cellar are important to maintain airflow. Without proper airflow in your root cellar, you’ll have a higher chance of developing mold on your crops. You’ll need two vents on either side of a root cellar—with clean air going through one vent and dirty air going out the other. This circulation helps protect your crops for as long as possible.
