How Much Does a Tornado Shelter Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,829 - $13,174
A tornado shelter can cost anywhere from $2,829 to $13,174, but most people spend about $7,531 on a storm shelter.
A tornado shelter costs $7,531 on average, with most people paying between $2,829 and $13,174. Your final tornado shelter cost will depend on the shelter’s size, installation complexity, the type of shelter, and your geographic location. Here’s everything you need to know about tornado shelter costs.
- Average
- $7,531
- Low end
- $500
- high end
- $36,000
Tornado Shelter Cost by Type
The type of tornado shelter can drastically change your project’s estimated costs. Indoor shelters in an already-designated space cost far less than shelters that must be built from scratch.
In-Ground Shelter
In-ground or underground shelters cost between $4,200 and $30,000. The wide range in price comes down to the size of the excavation. You’ll also pay more to waterproof your shelter. Many homeowners opt for in-ground shelters in their yards or inside their homes, underneath the garage. Installing a shelter below the garage makes it easier to access the shelter during dangerous storms without compromising space inside your home.
Aboveground Storm Shelter
Aboveground storm shelters cost anywhere from $2,600 to $15,000 on average. You’ll find that aboveground shelters are far more common in garages and basements, but they can also take up usable space within your house. For some homeowners, however, aboveground shelters are the only option, particularly if installing a belowground shelter presents a flood risk.
Garage Shelter
The average cost to install a garage storm shelter falls between $3,000 and $9,000. However, you don’t necessarily need to build an aboveground shelter—especially if you don’t want to sacrifice space in your garage. You can also consider installing an in-ground storm shelter underneath your garage floor—depending on your region and water table level. These shelters cost a bit more, coming in at around $10,000 to $15,000.
Basement Storm Shelter
Expect to pay between $6,000 and $15,000 for a basement storm shelter. This is another type of aboveground shelter ideal for homeowners who aren’t utilizing their basements and can afford to decrease the space.
Safe Rooms
The average price for a safe room shelter is between $3,000 and $10,000. While safe rooms are designed more as an aboveground shelter for protecting you and your family from home invasions, you can also use them as a storm shelter if you use a storm shelter design and materials. Closet-safe rooms will cost you about $4,500 to $6,000, while a safe room under your stairs will cost a little less at around $3,000 to $5,000.
Bed Shelter
For a more budget-friendly tornado shelter, bed shelters cost around $2,100 to $4,500 on average. This option is also an excellent choice for homeowners who don’t have the space for a standard storm shelter. However, these shelters come with a major downside—they only fit around two people.
| Type of Tornado Shelter | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| In-ground | $4,200–$30,000 |
| Above-ground | $2,600–$15,000 |
| Garage | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Under garage | $10,000–$15,000 |
| Basement | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Safe room | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Bed | $2,100–$4,500 |
Additional Cost Factors
After type, the main factors impacting the overall price of your project are where you put your storm shelter, how many people it holds, and whether you opt to install it underground or aboveground.
Size
According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you should plan on having at least 5 square feet per person for a tornado shelter. To fit six people comfortably, expect to pay between $3,000 to $8,000. If you need a large shelter for 15 or more people, expect to pay as much as $30,000.
| Maximum Occupants | Minimum Shelter Size (Square Feet) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 10 |
| 3 | 15 |
| 4 | 20 |
| 5 | 25 |
| 6 | 30 |
Tornado Shelter Material
The type of material for your shelter can impact your total price, with steel and Kevlar® coming in higher in the price range than fiberglass and concrete.
Concrete is the most affordable and weather-resistant tornado shelter material, but it’s brittle and can crumble in the face of extreme weather. Though costlier, steel is lightweight and durable, making it the best option for protecting occupants from flying debris. Fiberglass tornado shelters can only be installed underground, limiting who can install them. For anti-ballistic (resistant to bullets) shelters, Kevlar is a pricier yet more secure option.
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Steel | $4,000–$30,000 |
| Fiberglass | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Concrete | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Kevlar® | $5,000–$30,000 |
Aboveground vs. Underground Tornado Shelter
The type of tornado shelter makes a huge difference in what you’ll pay. An aboveground tornado shelter costs about $3,000 to $12,000 for parts and labor, while an underground tornado shelter costs about $4,000 to $30,000.
Aboveground shelters are typically located in a basement or garage or can be installed on top of a concrete slab on your property. These types of shelters are better suited for areas with higher water tables or flooding risks.
Underground storm shelters are more expensive than aboveground options since they require excavation, concrete, and waterproofing to address excess moisture that can accumulate belowground.
Location
Living in an area where the cost of building materials and construction is high may mean adding a storm shelter to your home will be at the higher end of the price range. Also, if you live in an area that experiences lots of storms, contractors may charge more due to higher demand.
Explore cost data for states where tornado shelter projects are common:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $7,000–$12,000 |
| Arkansas | $7,500–$11,000 |
| Colorado | $8,000–$10,000 |
| Kansas | $5,000–$13,000 |
| Missouri | $6,000–$13,000 |
| Ohio | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Oklahoma | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Texas | $5,000–$10,000 |
Prefabricated vs. Custom-Built Tornado Shelter
For a smaller structure, you can buy a pre-built storm shelter online or at a home improvement store for around $8,000. Remember that the price increases with the size requirements.
If you’re considering adding a storm shelter to a new build, you can save money by adding the space into your basement floor plan rather than adding a storm shelter later.
Delivery and Installation
If you order a prefab storm shelter, you may get away with having the cost of the delivery and installation included in your total price. However, if not, anticipate spending an additional $1,000 to $3,000 on your tornado shelter. It’s always a good idea to check with the installer beforehand to avoid costly surprises.
Site Prep
Preparing your site can be a huge pitfall to anyone’s tornado shelter budget. This is especially true for underground storm shelters or properties with numerous obstacles or uneven land. Land excavation costs around $4,000, while yard leveling costs about $2,200.
Labor
Hiring a general contractor to install your tornado shelter costs anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour. Therefore, the more in-depth and time-consuming your project, the more you’ll spend. Most basic storm shelters will take two to three hours to complete.
Permits
Most municipalities require a building permit to install a tornado shelter. Expect starting costs for permits to be around $50 to $100, but if you plan on adding electricity, plumbing, or other structural features to your project, you might need to pay more to obtain the permits.
Customizations
Again, prefab storm shelters cost noticeably less than custom builds. If your family has specific needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, a unique storm shelter layout, or a larger-than-average household, you may want to consider working with a company specializing in storm shelter builds rather than ordering a standard prefab shelter.
Add-Ons
If you want a storm shelter that can keep you safe for days, you’ll probably want to add features that provide everything you and your family need to outlast extreme weather events.
| Additional Storm Shelter Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Portable backup battery | $150–$2,000 |
| Plumbing | $100–$5,000 |
| Upgraded ventilation | $100–$3,000 |
| Beds and mattresses | $300–$400 |
| Emergency exit | $500–$2,000 |
Cost to Build a Storm Shelter Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
A tornado shelter costs about $2,829 to $13,174 for the materials, but you may also need to rent machines to excavate land and prep the soil, which adds about $500 per day. The best option if you want to DIY a homemade storm shelter is to install a prefabricated, aboveground storm shelter, which will cost about $2,000 to $9,000.
"Before any storm, make sure your emergency supply is updated and adequate. FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend that every person have at least 72 hours of food, water, and portable power in case of emergencies—you should have more if you live in a hurricane- or tornado-prone area."
— Allen Baler, CEO, 4Patriots, Nashville, Tennessee
However, the safest bet is to hire a storm shelter builder near you, which costs about $250 to $2,000 in labor, or about 10% to 20% of the project total. A storm shelter, especially the underground kind, takes a fair amount of materials and knowledge to build.
An underground storm shelter requires excavation to lay the foundation and construct walls. Shelters are made of strong materials, like steel, concrete, and fiberglass, that are more complex to work with than other building materials. Hiring a storm shelter pro with the experience and know-how to install your shelter correctly will bring you peace of mind if you ever need to ride out a storm.
6 Ways to Save on Tornado Shelter Costs
If you want a tornado shelter but your budget says otherwise, you can get away with having the shelter you need without breaking the bank. Check out these tips on how to save money on your storm shelter:
Check FEMA to see if you qualify for federal funding to build a safe room.
Opt for a bed shelter, which costs thousands less in some cases.
Check with your local or state government for rebate programs.
Choose a prefab storm shelter, which will have a lower installation cost.
Build an aboveground shelter in an existing room, like your garage, closet, or basement.
Choose concrete as your building material, which is less expensive than steel or fiberglass.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you live in an eligible state, you can apply for funding from FEMA through Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA). Check with your State Hazard Mitigation Officer to see what’s possible for your specific location and situation. You can find your local officer and their contact information on FEMA’s website.
Adding a storm shelter can increase the value of a home if you live in an area prone to intense storms. According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, safe rooms can increase the home's sale price by 3.5%. That’s about $10,500 on a $300,000 home, which could be a 100% ROI or more if you build a storm shelter that’s on the smaller side.
Prefabricated storm shelters can be assembled in four to eight hours. On the other hand, the time it takes to install a custom shelter can vary by days or weeks, depending on the builder's timeline and material availability. Bigger, more complicated, and customized shelters will take longer to complete than standard and prefab shelters.
If you live in an area where hurricanes and tornadoes pose a serious risk to your safety, storm shelters aren’t only worth it—they’re a must for keeping you and your family safe. However, if you live in a region that doesn’t experience extreme weather, a storm shelter may not be the most sensible option for you.