Need recommendation on UG shelter vendors

Mrs Smith

Mrs Smith

Membership Revoked
Can anyone give me positive recommendations on an underground shelter vendor that will deliver to SW Ohio?

I've searched the web in vain and cannot locate anyone in this area who has u/g shelters available for delivery and installation. The closest I find is in Missouri/Arkansas, and we're well beyond their delivery area. The only ones that deliver nationwide have shelters starting at $45k, which is definitely not what's in mind.

We've got a suitable nuke shelter, but I'd like to have one completely underground. I've looking for simple, no frills, under $10k.

Any recommendations?
 
Mrs Smith

Mrs Smith

Membership Revoked
Hello? Anyone there?

Okay, let me ask it this way...

Do any of you have personal good experience with ANY underground shelter manufacturer?
 
S

SomeAverageJoe

Senior Member
A friend of mine is looking into buying a few shipping containers and putting them underground, I think he said they were 1700 a piece. But this would be more of a hands on project since you would have to do all the work yourself.
 
bluefire

bluefire

Senior Member
For the amount you want to spend, I would agree you're probably looking at a 'hands on' approach. With that in mind, check out this shelter built using an 8' diameter corrugated steel culvert pipe (the guy says people are now using 10' pipe using this idea):

http://waltonfeed.com/old/cellar3.html

Whether you went with shipping containers or culvert, you'd need to have some facility with welding...
 
M

momof23goats

Deceased
we got an old cistern, below the basement, nice and dry, with 3 foot walls, and 4 foot deep roof. and it is in good shape. already has one pipe down to the bottom of it for air, used to be connected for watrer, but hasn't been used in 35 years. people got to old, and then they didn't use it. So was dry as a bone when we found it. 11 years ago, and has stayed that way. guess we can use that/. for a root cellar, and what have you.
 
hitssquad

hitssquad

Inactive
Ecoshell for lowest-cost buried shelter

Bodybagger said:
Can anyone give me positive recommendations on an underground shelter vendor that will deliver to SW Ohio?
Click to expand...
I would consider building an Ecoshell with rigid foam insulation underneath and rigid foam insulation and a waterproofing membrane over two or more feet of dirt on the top and then buried further by more dirt. That will probably be your absolute lowest-cost livable-shelter option.
http://www.monolithic.com

If you want an unlivable (e.g., moldy) shelter instead, there are dozens of companies selling them.


Bodybagger said:
I've looking for simple, no frills, under $10k.
Click to expand...
Is that your entire construction budget?
 
hitssquad

hitssquad

Inactive
Burying an Ecoshell vs burying an insulated Ecoshell

bluefire said:
hitssquad, have you heard of anyone else successfully burying ecoshells? (I know they do with monolithic domes.)
Click to expand...
No. The reason they are not buried is that they are not insulated and not waterproof. Using the PAHS technique of laying flat rigid insulation and a waterproof membrane on a layer of dirt over the shell takes care of the insulation need. How might someone be any less successful at burying an Ecoshell compared with burying an integrally-insulated/waterproofed Ecoshell (e.g., a Monolithic Dome).
 
Mrs Smith

Mrs Smith

Membership Revoked
So far, I believe the culvert pipe would be the most practical way to go. I'm not looking for an underground home, just a place to store preps and a place to survive in for a couple weeks or so. The one in the photos looks like a pretty cozy place to go!

My husband is a heavy equipment operator and can get the equipment needed at no cost. The interior could be remodeled as time permits.

If anyone comes up with other ideas, please post them. I'm open to any and all suggestions.
 
Safecastle

Safecastle

Emergency Essentials Store
We can do as you ask, deliver whatever you need. If you can do the install, you can save a bunch. Of course a lot depends on how big a shelter you want and if you want air filtration, and what other options, safety features you want.

There are a few folks here on TB2K with shelters put in by our builder/installer and you'll get rave reviews from all for the product and the builder. He's put in close to 500 shelters across the country, including many for FEMA projects. His shelters are the only shelter engineered and certified to exceed FEMA standards in most every way. In fact, you may find it hard to believe, but these things are built to last 90-100 years underground.

FYI--I would definitely not go the storage container route underground. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

A culvert is a nice idea but it is a lot of work and some money to pull it together and equip it properly. And it's not very easy to find a supplier willing to sell a culvert to you if its going to become a habitable structure.
 
Mrs Smith

Mrs Smith

Membership Revoked
JCR, I'm pretty sure I can't afford what you're advertising.

They're nice, but pricey.

I'll PM you regarding what the options are for my price range though.
 
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Safecastle

Safecastle

Emergency Essentials Store
Bodybagger said:
JCR, I'm pretty sure I can't afford what you're advertising.

They're nice, but pricey.

I'll PM you regarding what the options are for my price range though.
Click to expand...

BB--I'm only advertising samplings of what we have to offer. We most certainly CAN give you product in your price range. I PMed you on this. It's all about what you want, how big, etc. We custom build each and every shelter to specs you provide. You want small and inexpensive ... no problem.
 
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