How Much Does It Cost to Build an Underground Bunker?

Underground bunkers are reinforced buildings intended to give people a safe haven in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Numerous safety features provided by these bunkers guarantee the survival and well-being of their residents.

Because they are constructed of sturdy materials like steel or reinforced concrete, underground bunkers are extremely resistant to outside assaults. They are resilient to extreme weather events such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. By protecting residents from falling objects and collapsing buildings, its structural integrity reduces the possibility of harm or death.

The Cost of a Shipping Container Underground Bunker

Item	Cost
1. Container Costs	Used Containers: $1,500 to $5,000 New Containers: More expensive Modifications: $1,000 to $10,000 20ft Used Certified Shipping Container 20ft Used Cargo Worthy Standard Certified ISO Shipping Container 40ft Used Certified Shipping Container 40ft Used Shipping Container 40ft Used Certified High Cube Shipping Container 40ft High Cube Shipping Container 20ft New Shipping Container
2. Site Preparation and Excavation	Excavation Costs: $1,100 to $5,600 Foundation Work: $1,000 to $3,000
3. Utilities Installation	Electrical Systems: $1,200 to $7,100 Plumbing Costs: $4 to $5 per square foot
4. Interior Finishing	Basic Interior Finishes: $4 to $15 per square foot Kitchens or Bathrooms: Significant cost increases
5. Security Features	Security Cameras: $125 to $450 Full Home Security System: $199 to $900 for equipment and installation Ongoing Monitoring Fees: Additional cost
6. Permits and Regulations	Necessary Permits: $500 to $2,000
Tips For Saving Money on a Shipping Container Underground Bunker	1. Buy Used Containers for Big Savings 2. Hire Professionals to Dodge Expensive Fixes 3. Plan Efficiently to Cut Waste and Rework 4. Use Cheap Reinforcement Tricks 5. Stick to Must-Have Features First 6. Bury Shallow to Slash Digging Costs

How to Build an Underground Bunker

Item	Details
Underground Bunkers	Become popular during the Cold War Era Can protect against unforeseen dangers Recommended at least 2 feet of dirt over the top for gamma radiation protection Deeper bunkers provide better protection Invest in a good air exchanger and filtration system to prevent stale air The door should open towards the inside Having a second emergency exit is recommended
Shipping Container Shelter	Available in a variety of sizes (20ft and 40ft) Reinforcement is necessary, designed to withstand loads on corners Combine several containers for larger shelter Dig a hole at least 2 feet deeper than the height of the shipping container Poured concrete stairs leading down to the bunker Support the entryway roof with I-beams Use corrugated steel for the concrete roof base Weld a re-bar frame around the stairs and fill with concrete Install air vents and PVC pipes for utilities Pour a 6-inch layer of concrete over the top Backfill with topsoil to plant grass and bushes for camouflage Include food storage, bunk beds, and a gun rack if desired
Tube Survival Shelter	Requires less reinforcing, designed to take a load on sides Similar living experience to a submarine Atlas Survival Shelters offers pre-made bunkers Made from a 12-foot diameter galvanized corrugated pipe 11 times stronger than a square design Can last for 200 years underground Can be buried up to 42 feet below the surface Constructing the bunker above ground is easier Build a frame for floor using 2×4’s Add plywood over frame to create a level floor Add doors in plywood for underfloor storage access Add bunk beds and comforts of home Dig a hole large enough for the pipe at the desired depth Place the pipe in the hole Weld a smaller pipe for outer door and add access ladder Connect water and utilities Install a generator and air filter Weld an additional small pipe at the back for emergency exit

The Purpose and Importance of Bunkers?

A bunker is a type of high-security shelter that is intended to shield its residents from natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, earthquakes, civil unrest, chemical agents, and nuclear war or accidents. Although they are typically located underground, these bunkers can also be safe havens within already-existing structures. Known as “doomsday bunkers,” they are frequently connected to survivalists and “preppers” who are getting ready for the end of civilization as we know it. However, a lot of wealthy people, celebrities, athletes, IT leaders, and hedge fund managers also construct covert shelters to keep their employees and family in case of an emergency.

Residential bunkers can be as basic as reinforced shipping containers or steel tubes buried in a suburban backyard, or they can be as complex as entire houses or even entire communities, complete with multiple rooms, wine vaults, hidden escape tunnels, state-of-the-art entertainment centers, swimming pools, and hydroponic garden systems for growing fresh vegetables. Missile silos and large storage facilities are examples of decommissioned military buildings and equipment that can occasionally be converted into civilian bunkers.

These days, there are businesses that focus on designing and building subterranean bunkers, providing everything from gastight and waterproof doors to weapons rooms and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) air-filtration systems. Additionally, there are real estate brokers who focus on off-the-grid, rural properties that would appeal to purchasers who wish to construct a reinforced bunker in a highly secluded environment. Residential bunkers like these were referred to as fallout shelters during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations in the 1950s and 1960s, when the Cold War and the prospect of nuclear war were at their height. Cots, blankets, water jugs, and a plenty of canned and dried food were also provided.

Residential bunkers nowadays are made to be self-sufficient for a few days, a year, or longer. They usually consist of brilliant artificial lighting, ventilation and air-filtering systems, generators, waste-disposal systems, kitchens, sleeping spaces, and storage for food and other necessities. A filtered ventilation system that can deliver at least 15 cubic feet of air per person per minute is advised by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the United States. Another major concern is potable water. A gallon of water per person and pet per day should be available, or it can be obtained through wells, cisterns for rainwater collection systems, water filtration systems, or water purification equipment, according to FEMA and other agencies. FEMA advises using 60 square feet per person for single beds and 30 square feet for bunk beds in a group shelter that will be occupied for longer than twenty-four hours.

Although prices vary greatly, a simple shell for a 2,500-square-foot reinforced concrete bunker underground would probably cost about $30,000, and additional features like a kitchen, bathroom, several rooms, and mechanical ventilation could easily cost up to $60,000. Excavation expenses can be high depending on the location; it is generally advised to have eight to ten feet of soil over the bunker.

Conclusion

In this piece, you learned about the cost of a shipping container underground bunker, how to build an underground bunker, and the purpose and importance of bunkers. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.