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Underground Bunker Prices: How Much Do They Really Cost?

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While you may have given thought to own an underground bunker, have you given any thought to underground bunker prices?

There is only one answer to avoiding the disasters of our nightmares. EMPs sending us collectively back to the stone age, nuclear war decimating our nation, and Yellowstone blowing its top.

Unlike sticking your head in the sand, your entire body may not be a bad idea!

Given a properly designed, installed, stocked and fortified bunker your survival probability goes up exponentially.

Considering a bunker is a big step for any prepper and requires a significant amount of planning and preparation. You must decide if your interpretation of the future requires this level of preparation.

When considering a project of this magnitude you must include several questions.

How big you want your bunker? Will you buy or build it? How you will stock it?

After all the fantastic prepper dreaming you are eventually brought back to reality when you start to think about how much a bunker will actually set you back.

This article will ground your expectations for underground bunker prices in reality with respect to how much you can expect to spend on your private underground paradise. 

Build vs Buy

The full story on underground bunker prices. Comparison between a underground bunker and a storm shelter.
left image © Nicholas Mutton, right image © Wesley Fryer

When determining underground bunker prices there are numerous factors that will affect the cost. The primary factor will not be what you choose to build but how you choose to build.

Like anything in life, you can exchange sweat equity for total cost. Going the DIY underground bunker route you can save a significant amount of money vs purchasing a 100% complete and installed bunker. The tradeoff is money for time and convenience.

Cost Factors

With respect to establishing a rough cost, bear in mind that your specific region and the location of your bunker will drive the cost. Traditionally, rural locations will have lower building costs in comparison to the suburbs or (gasp!) urban areas.

Likewise, in rural areas, there are more opportunities to barter for labor or utilize skilled local labor (the farmer down the road with the big tractor) than in suburban or urban areas.

I will do my best to estimate costs for you but unless we are discussing national brands with extensive distribution networks there will be wide swings in local actual costs.

Underground Bunker Prices: Complete DIY

When getting ready to build an underground shelter, you need to figure out what it would cost before you get started. We'll look at both DIY and commercial options so you can prepare. Underground bunker prices could be high for many, and it;s best to plant ahead of time. #undergroundbunkerprice #bunker #undergroundbunker #undergroundshelter #shtf #shtfdad #preparedness

If you are exceptionally handy and have extensive knowledge and experience in…. well everything, and you have a significant amount of time on your hands, then you are fortunate enough to be able to build a bunker and only expend money on materials.

The key material expenses will be divided into several categories. Structural materials, mechanical systems, and finish materials. From these materials, plus labor, commercial underground bunker prices are determined.

DIY: Structural Materials

We can only estimate costs for traditional materials. But first a note about the non-traditional. Several publicized bunkers have been built with buses and shipping containers.

Unless you really know what you are doing, we do not recommend shipping containers as they are not structurally designed for underground use. Check out box culvert bunkers as an alternative.

Feel free to review these options to decide if they are for you, otherwise read on about a less “unique” approach.

As for traditional materials you can expect to pay $125+ per cubic yard for concrete if you are pouring a traditional foundation. 

You can also go the precast route for $6,000-$8,000 for precast box culvert sections. Honestly, if I had my way and lots of options, I would probably go with a box culvert bunker.

Finally, you may also choose to use a corrugated culvert. Local prices are $250+ per foot for 8-foot diameter sections.

DIY: Mechanical Systems

Once the structure is decided you will need to include various supporting mechanical systems. These include Air, Water, Waste, and Power.

Air

Assuming you want to be prepared for almost everything you will need to include an air filter. Simply exchanging air with the outside can potentially bring contaminants into your bunker. A filter that manages Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) contaminants is a must.

NBC filter systems specifically designed for bunkers can be found for between $7,000 and $10,000 depending on the size of your structure. These costly systems will affect underground bunker prices but in such an event, it’s an investment you won’t regret.

Water

Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
  • ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY AT HOME-...
  • INDEPENDENT TESTING- Black Berkey Elements (the...
  • INCLUDES AUTHENTIC BLACK BERKEY ELEMENTS (THE...

Water storage is expensive. Not from a financial perspective but from a storage space perspective. At one gallon per day per person (which is exceptionally conservative over the long term) this is not enough.

While you can and should store water in your bunker, it is best to consider plumbing your bunker with a well. Digging a well can cost between $2,500 and $5,000 (depending mostly on the depth of the well).

Don’t forget to add a filter system as groundwater can become contaminated. A Berkey water filter system that large and efficient enough for a well will run between $250 and $500.

The security of having an “unlimited” supply of water is well worth the expense.

Waste

Managing waste will also be a requirement. Having to exit your bunker to dump a 5-gallon bucket may be risky!

Similarly, having a composting toilet in a confined space will have its own challenges, not the least of which are you still need to manage greywater.

A septic system (tank and leach field) can be added near your bunker for between $2,500 and $5,000.

You may also wish to add a grinder and pump. Being deep underground you will need to lift the waste up to the septic tank. A grinder allows you to use a much smaller diameter pipe to do the job.

Power: Sizing Your System

The last major system is power. Your needs will depend on both the size of your bunker as well as your needs. Researching solar systems will help here as they have turned defining your power needs into a science.

First, tally up all the electrical equipment in your bunker and rack and stack your overall needs. This will include light, air system (if you are not using a manual system), heating, cooking, communications, waste (grinder and pump), water, refrigeration, etc.

Add all your needs up and use this to establish two requirements:

  • How much do I need on a daily basis?
  • How much do I need to store between charging?
Power Source
K-TOR Power Box Pedal Generator
  • Pedal Generator with 120 Volt 20 Watt output
  • Folds to small size, easily protable and to set up
  • easy to pedal for long periods of time, uses...

Next, determine your source. A generator can create a great deal of power in a short amount of time for between $1,500 and $5,000. Generators require fuel (which requires more storage) and can be loud.

On the other hand solar, for about $1 per watt, is quiet and requires no fuel, but is difficult to hide.

Finally, you can consider a manual system. A generator connected to a bicycle or hand crank is a viable option.

Power Storage

Regardless you will not be able to generate power 24/7, therefore, you will need to add a battery bank to store power. Batteries will run between $100-$250 per 100 Amp Hours. Use your above calculations to determine the size of your bank.

DIY: Finish Work

The final cost will be the finished work and your total cost is limited to only your imagination, bank account, and tolerance for discomfort.

At a minimum, this means that you will have to level the space and provide minimal organization structures for storage (shelves).

Floors

If you have elected to use a steel corrugated culvert then you will have to lay a floor to be comfortable. If you have a poured foundation or a concrete box culvert then you should consider a raised floor. In both cases, if you have the height, consider underfloor storage.

If not, just raise the floor enough to add a layer of rigid insulation (Polyiso or fiberglass) to take the chill off the floor. Regardless, the cost is a few 2x4s (less than $5 ea), a few sheets of plywood ($20ish each). 

Shelving and Storage

Shelving can also be as simple or elaborate as you want. The goal is to take advantage of vertical space. No need to leave everything on the floor when you can stack.

Shelves also take the stress off the bottom cases and prevent compromising their structural integrity. There is nothing worse than getting to the bottom of a pile of expensive freeze-dried food only to find the individual packages have been crushed and their seals compromised.

A lot can be done in a small space. Spend some time on the internet searching organizational approaches. Especially in the tiny house movement. A lot can be done for storage when you use all the nooks and crannies in your bunker.

Cooking, Health, and Sanitation

Cooking, health, and sanitation prices for your underground bunker

Finish work must also include cooking and health/sanitation. Cooking can be as simple as an alcohol stove (low CO emission fuel) or can be a complete galley kitchen with all the amenities including a propane cooktop and oven.

Health/sanitation includes a shower and toilet. A budget arrangement can be a 5-gallon bucket toilet for waste and a sponge bath (use two buckets please!).

Or you can include a comfortable throne and a sizeable shower. It’s all up to your personal requirement for comfort.

Lighting

The last major consideration of finishing your space will be lighting. You will need area light as well as workspace/task lights.

LED track lighting is available in both 12-volt DC and 110-volt AC. The AC versions will be cheaper and track lighting will give you a great deal of flexibility for light types positioning and aiming. Track

Lighting can be had from $25-$100 based on your tastes and need.

Remember. You are underground. When the lights go out it will be dark. Lighting is not a place to skimp. Cheap lighting will burn out and literally leave you in the dark. “Buy once, cry once” on this critical component.

Underground Bunkers for Sale

Assuming you have neither the time or skills to pull off a bunker project the next option is to purchase a bunker. Again, as life is wonderfully full of choices, there are several options. 

High-End Kits

First is purchasing a complete kit. The sky is the limit based on your budget. If your budget allows for a luxury bunker then you can contact vendors like Atlas Survival Shelters or Rising S Bunkers.

There is a small but flourishing industry providing high-end bunkers to those with the budget. Expect these to start at $250,000 and rise to over $1,000,000. 

But for the price you can expect the white glove treatment in size, design, finish work and even supplies as many offer fully stocked options as well. 

Mid Range Kits

More modest options are available for those of us without a few hundred thousand dollars weighing down our checkbook balance.  Options here cover smaller underground bunker kits of only a few hundred to a thousand square feet.

Suppliers can provide a bunker with a 1,000-square-foot floor plan for $250,000 down to $50,000 for 200-300 square feet.

This generally does not include installation. You will need to work with the supplier to find a company that has experience in this type of building project.

Again, options will drive the final cost up or down so be mindful of your budget and make sure to factor in all costs (kit, installation, finishing, stocking) before you make a final decision. 

Budget Kits

Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
  • ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY AT HOME-...
  • INDEPENDENT TESTING- Black Berkey Elements (the...
  • INCLUDES AUTHENTIC BLACK BERKEY ELEMENTS (THE...

For the budget-minded, smaller bunkers and smaller shelters come with reduced installation and finishing costs.

Companies such as Survive-A-Storm provide minimalistic storm shelters for sale and fallout shelters for sale for $5-12,000. These do have limited options but for a short term stay the ability to make a hot meal and a warm cot may all that is required.

Underground Bunkers for Sale in Communities

The final option is to buy into an existing community. With the recent decommissioning of some government facilities, a microcosm of shelter-minded groups has sprung up.

These vary from communities in old ICBM installations to old ammo depots. This is a new model to look at for underground bunkers and underground bunker prices.

For example, you can buy into an underground bunker for sale for $35,000 (for 2,000 square feet of bare space) from the Terra Vivos community.

A quick Internet search will reveal several communities that cater to those looking to buy into more than just a private bunker.

Survival Condo has doomsday bunkers for sale with 1,800 square feet of fully furnished living space in an Atlas ICBM silo for $3,000,000. The complete silo will sustain 75 people for 5 years. 

Communities: Due Diligence

If you plan on going this route please carry out your due diligence. You will be buying into a community, not just a bunker. What is the review process for new members? Especially if you are cohabiting in a single structure.

Underground Bunker Prices: Final Thoughts

There are as many options for a bunker as there are design ideas that you can come up with. Not the least of which is the cost.

Whether you are planning for a budget storm shelter for $5,000, your own doomsday bunker for around $25,000, or you are digging deep for that million-dollar luxury bunker this is a serious decision requiring serious thought, planning, and execution.

Whatever path you walk down towards your bunker it is a preparation that will secure the future of you and your loved ones against anything society or Mother Nature can throw at us. Choose wisely!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why buy an underground bunker versus build an underground bunker?

Buying an underground bunker provides nearly immediate protection versus the time required to build your own.

Why build an underground bunker versus buy an underground bunker?

Building your own can be significantly less expensive than buying one.

What are the primary considerations when I build my own underground bunker?

Your skillset is the main consideration for a DIY underground bunker. Do you have construction, plumbing, HVAC, electrical skills needed to build an underground facility?

How much does it cost to build a DIY underground bunker?

It can cost nothing to $10,000 or more to build your own bunker depending on size, materials, and features.

How much does it cost to purchase a pre-built underground bunker?

It can cost from $5,000 to many million dollars to purchase a bunker system from a specialty bunker company.

What are the resources I can use to purchase an underground bunker?

Traditional real estate companies, as well as specialty bunker companies, can all be good resources when looking for an underground bunker.


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