How much does a safe room cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does a safe room cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does a safe room cost?

$150 – $350average cost per square foot
$3,600 – $11,200average total cost (4x6 – 4x8)

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$150 – $350 average cost per square foot

$3,600 – $11,200 average total cost (4x6 – 4x8)


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Jennifer Carlson
Written by
Jennifer Carlson
Edited by
Tara Farmer
Fact-checked by
Kristen Cramer

Average safe room cost

Building a steel safe room costs $150 to $350 per square foot installed on average or $3,600 to $11,200 total. Safe rooms, also called panic rooms, protect against home invaders and tornadoes. Concrete safe rooms are less common and cost $100 to $200 per square foot or $3,500 to $7,000 total.

Average safe room cost (for a 4x6 to 4x8 safe room) - chart
Average safe room cost (for a 4x6 to 4x8 safe room) - chart
Average safe room cost
National Average Cost $7,400
Minimum Cost $2,600
Maximum Cost $500,000
Average Range $3,600 to $11,200*

*For a 4x6 to 4x8 safe room.

  • A safe room or panic room is a reinforced space designed to withstand natural disasters or criminal activity for a short time. You can install safe rooms in a closet, basement, garage, or yard.

  • Most safe rooms are prefabricated and made of steel, although some companies make safe rooms from concrete.

Get free estimates from storm shelter installers near you.

Cost of a safe room by size

The most common safe room sizes are between 4x4 and 8x8 but can go much higher. The following table shows the average cost of prefabricated steel safe rooms:

Cost of a steel safe room by size
Size (feet) Capacity (adults) Average installed cost
4x4 2 – 4 $2,400 – $5,600
4x6 5 – 7 $3,600 – $8,400
4x8 7 – 9 $4,800 – $11,200
6x6 9 – 11 $5,400 – $12,600
6x8 11 – 13 $7,200 – $16,800
6x10 8 – 12 $9,000 – $21,00
8x8 12 – 15 $9,600 – $22,400
6x12 12 – 16 $10,800 – $25,200
8x10 14 – 30 $12,000 – $28,000

Safe room cost by material

Although most prefabricated safe rooms are made of steel, some companies make concrete safe rooms. A concrete safe room is typically placed underground or outside on a concrete pad. Stamped concrete designs on safe rooms cost extra.

Steel safe rooms come in a wider variety of sizes. Concrete safe rooms are typically between 5x7 and 8x10 but vary depending on the company.

Cost of a safe room by size
Material Average cost per square foot Average installed cost*
Steel $150 – $350 $5,300 – $12,300
Concrete $100 – $200 $3,500 – $7,000

*For a 5x7 safe room.

A steel safe room and security shelter made by Swisher (Photo credit: Swisher)
A steel safe room and security shelter made by Swisher (Photo credit: Swisher)

Panic room cost factors

The following factors affect the cost to install a panic room or safe room:

  • Prefab vs. custom: Most safe room companies manufacture prefabricated units, but you can also hire a contractor to do build it from scratch with concrete walls and bulletproof doors. This option will cost much more, up to $200,000.

  • Delivery: If you buy a prefabricated safe room, delivery may add $300 to $2,600 to your total cost, depending the company and distance. Some companies offer free shipping or build it into their pricing, but others charge a separate fee.

  • Finish: Most safe room manufacturers add a coating to the steel to prevent rust. Some companies charge extra for powder-coated steel.

  • Relocation: If you're moving and want to take a safe room unit with you, some companies will relocate it for $1,800 to $2,200.

  • DIY vs. professional: You can reinforce an existing closet or room by yourself adding plywood or a bullet-resistant door. However, professional safe rooms are more fortified and safer.

  • Other shelter types: A storm shelter costs $3,000 to $12,000+ for above ground and $4,000 to $20,000+ to build below ground. An underground bunker costs $40,000 to $80,000 and is designed to withstand anything from tornadoes to nuclear radiation.

Labor

The labor cost for installing a safe room varies depending on your location and the complexity of the project. Some prefab safe room companies include installation costs in their pricing, while others don't. If you choose to outfit your safe room with electricity or other finishes, the price rises:

Security

Many safe room units come with a security door and air vents, which allow air in while keeping debris out. Adding other security features can help you stay safe in dangerous situations, especially if your safe room is outdoors:

Get free estimates from storm shelter installers near you.

Safe room FAQs

What is a safe room?

A safe room, or panic room, is a structure usually made of steel or concrete that you can go inside during a storm or home invasion. You can build safe rooms inside an existing house, outside, or even underground.

Can I build a safe room myself?

You could build a safe room yourself by reinforcing walls in a closet and adding a security door. However, you could run the risk of creating an unsafe structure that won't stand up to force when you need it most.

It takes a lot of experience and hard work to build a safe room safely and legally. Ask a structural engineer near you to give you advice if you need help following safe building practices.

How long does it take to install a safe room?

It takes about 2 to 5 hours to install a prefabricated steel safe room. Prefab steel units take the least amount of time and effort to install. Concrete safe rooms take longer, especially when you factor in curing times for the concrete slab or excavation for underground units.

Getting estimates from safe room installers

Before hiring a safe room or shelter installer near you, follow these steps:

  • Compare 3+ similar safe room estimates.

  • Look for contractors who are members of the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA).

  • Read customer reviews on HomeGuide and Google to make sure the installers are reputable.

  • Make sure the safe rooms meet FEMA and ICC regulations for safety and wind resistance.

  • Select a licensed, bonded, insured, and experienced company.

  • Avoid estimates that are suspiciously low.

  • Get an estimate, contract, and warranty in writing.

  • Only pay in full after they finish installing the same room.

Questions to ask safe room companies

Make sure you hire a high-quality safe room installer by asking these questions:

  • How long have you been installing safe rooms?

  • Are you a member of the NSSA?

  • What does this estimate include?

  • Do you recommend installing the safe room above ground or underground?

  • Do you offer custom services?

  • Should I be at home during the installation?

  • Do you comply with FEMA and ICC protocols?

  • Can I add electrical wiring to the safe room?

  • Can I add flooring, shelving, or a bed?

  • How long will the installation take overall?