Do your homework on city requirements and similar for storm shelters above ground, whether they're prefab or built from scratch.
In many areas of the United States, natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes are common during certain seasons. Many homeowners build storm shelters above ground to help protect themselves and their families in the case of a storm emergency.
If you are thinking about performing these types of residential renovations on your home, first consider two options available to you: building from scratch and purchasing a kit.
Building storm shelters above ground from scratch
Building above-ground safe houses can entail a lot of work. Building and zoning permits will have to be applied for. Contractors will need to be hired in most cases. Inspections will be required upon completion of the job.
Some people build tornado shelters inside their existing homes, such as in their basements or in their garages, to help eliminate some of the footwork necessary before construction can occur.
If you decide to build your shelter from scratch, it can end up being more costly than the alternative. While building a storm shelter can be completed as a do-it-yourself or DIY home improvement project for someone handy, it is not a logical choice for everyone. Contractors must be consulted, materials need to be purchased, permits need to be obtained, and inspections need to be done.
Even if you are planning on putting your safe room indoors, building it from scratch could prove to be more costly than purchasing a prefabricated one.
Purchasing prefabricated above-ground tornado shelters
Prefabricated above-ground tornado shelters are designed to do the same job as those built from scratch. However, prefabricated shelter kits come with all the materials needed for proper construction, including clear and concise instruction books. Most manufacturers offer a customer service number for people who get confused with the instructions.
Building a prefabricated shelter is much easier to make into a DIY project than building one from scratch. However, even with an instruction book, many find it necessary to consult a contractor for some degree of assistance with this project.
It is also important to remember that, even with prefabricated storm shelters, certain permits and inspections may be necessary. Do not slack on doing your homework before you begin a project such as this.
Building a storm shelter is a great idea for someone who lives in an area prone to natural disasters. Remaining in your home during a storm emergency is not always the safest option, and many people die every year due to storms and the damage they cause.
If you live in an area prone to this type of weather, consider the options available to increase your level of safety during tornadoes or other storms. Building storm shelters above ground is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family.
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