Quick Answer:
There is no set dollar amount a storm shelter adds to an Oklahoma home’s value. A professionally installed shelter can be an attractive feature for buyers, but its resale value depends on the home, market, shelter condition, and buyer priorities. Sprague’s Backhoe recommends choosing a shelter primarily for protection, with potential resale appeal as an added benefit.
If you’re considering a storm shelter, it’s reasonable to wonder whether you’ll get some of that investment back when you eventually sell your home.
In Oklahoma, a storm shelter can certainly be a desirable feature. But claims that installing one will automatically add a certain number of dollars to your home’s value are difficult to support.
The better way to look at it is this: a storm shelter provides value while you live in the home, and it may also make the property more appealing to a future buyer.
How Much Does a Storm Shelter Increase Home Value?
There isn’t a standard Oklahoma formula that says a storm shelter costing a certain amount will increase your home’s appraised or selling value by a certain amount.
Real estate value depends on many factors, including:
- Your overall property and its condition
- The local real estate market
- The type and condition of the storm shelter
- Quality of the installation
- Available documentation
- What individual buyers value
One buyer may consider an existing storm shelter a major advantage. Another may like having it but not be willing to pay substantially more for the home because of it.
That’s why Sprague’s Backhoe doesn’t promise a specific return on investment from installing a storm shelter.
Can a Storm Shelter Make an Oklahoma Home More Appealing?
Yes. This is where the value of a storm shelter is easier to understand.
A buyer considering an Oklahoma home may appreciate that tornado protection is already installed and ready to use. They don’t have to research shelters, choose a model, schedule an installation, or make the investment themselves after purchasing the property.
This can be especially appealing to someone moving to Oklahoma who is concerned about tornadoes or a buyer who already knows they want a storm shelter in their next home.
That doesn’t guarantee a higher selling price, but it can make the shelter a worthwhile feature to highlight when the home is listed.
Installation Quality Matters
A storm shelter is more likely to be viewed as an asset when it looks like a permanent, properly installed part of the property rather than a questionable DIY project.
Future homeowners may want to know:
- Who manufactured the shelter?
- Who installed it?
- What standards was it designed to meet?
- Is there warranty information?
- Has it been properly maintained?
Keep the paperwork provided with your shelter. Documentation can help a future buyer understand exactly what is installed on the property.
Sprague’s Backhoe has been locally owned since 2013 and brings more than 20 years of storm shelter industry experience to Oklahoma installations. Every installation is handled by Sprague’s Backhoe, with no subcontractors or rotating crews.
Do Above-Ground or Below-Ground Shelters Add More Value?
There isn’t reliable evidence that one automatically adds more resale value than the other. Buyer preference matters.
Above-Ground Storm Shelters
An above-ground storm shelter may appeal to buyers who prioritize accessibility. There are no interior stairs, and the full interior floor space is usable.
Above-ground shelters are also easy for a prospective buyer to see and inspect when touring the property.
Below-Ground Storm Shelters
Below-ground storm shelters may appeal to buyers who prefer a traditional underground shelter or want the structure to be less noticeable on the property.
Because below-ground shelters are exposed to groundwater and rain, their condition matters. Some water intrusion can occur during heavy rain, so proper maintenance and drainage around the surrounding property are important.
Neither option is automatically better for resale. The better shelter is the one that works for the property and the people who need to use it.
Does Meeting FEMA Guidelines Matter to Future Buyers?
It can.
A buyer may feel more confident about a storm shelter when there is clear information about how it was designed and what safety guidance it follows.
The storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines. FEMA does not certify or approve individual storm shelter products, so homeowners should be cautious of resale listings or contractors using terms such as “FEMA certified.”
You can learn more about the design and construction criteria for safe rooms through FEMA’s safe room guidance.
Will an Appraiser Add the Cost of the Shelter to My Home?
Don’t assume so.
An appraisal isn’t a reimbursement calculation for home improvements. Spending money on an improvement doesn’t automatically increase the appraised value by the same amount.
An appraiser considers the property, comparable sales, market conditions, and other relevant factors when developing an opinion of value. How a storm shelter affects a particular appraisal can vary.
If you’re installing a shelter specifically because you’re preparing to sell, talk with a knowledgeable real estate professional or appraiser in your market before assuming you’ll recover the installation cost.
What About Homeowners Insurance Discounts?
Don’t install a storm shelter based on the assumption that your homeowners insurance premium will decrease.
Insurance companies have different underwriting rules, discounts, and eligibility requirements. Some may recognize certain protective improvements while others may not.
If an insurance discount is important to your decision, contact your insurance company before purchasing the shelter and ask whether it offers any benefit for a storm shelter and what documentation would be required.
The Value You Get Before You Ever Sell
Resale value is only one part of the equation.
If you own the home for another five, ten, or twenty years, the shelter is there for your household during Oklahoma severe weather throughout that time.
It gives you a predetermined place to go when a tornado warning is issued instead of trying to figure out your safest option in the middle of a storm.
That’s the primary reason to install one.
If a future buyer also sees the shelter as a valuable feature when it’s time to sell, that’s an additional benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a storm shelter add to a home’s value in Oklahoma?
There is no reliable statewide dollar amount. The effect on resale or appraised value depends on the individual property, shelter, local market, comparable sales, and buyer demand.
Will I get the full cost of my storm shelter back when I sell?
There is no guarantee that you’ll recover the full installation cost through a higher selling price. A storm shelter should primarily be considered a safety improvement, with potential resale appeal as an additional benefit.
Can a storm shelter help sell a house?
It can be an appealing feature for buyers who want tornado protection already installed. Whether that translates into a faster sale or higher offer depends on the buyer and current real estate market.
Is an above-ground or below-ground shelter better for resale?
Neither type is automatically more valuable. Above-ground shelters may appeal to buyers concerned about stairs and accessibility, while below-ground shelters may appeal to buyers who prefer traditional underground protection.
Does a storm shelter affect a home appraisal?
It may be considered as part of the property, but homeowners shouldn’t assume an appraiser will increase the home’s value by the amount spent on the shelter. Appraisal methods and local market evidence determine how improvements contribute to value.
Will homeowners insurance be cheaper if I install a storm shelter?
Possibly, but don’t assume a discount is available. Insurance companies set their own rules. Contact your insurer directly to ask whether a storm shelter qualifies for any discount or other benefit.
Should I install a storm shelter if I’m planning to move?
That depends on your timeline and priorities. If you’ll still be living in the home during Oklahoma severe weather, you receive the safety benefit immediately. Potential resale appeal should be viewed as an additional benefit rather than a guaranteed financial return.
Key Takeaways
- There is no standard dollar amount a storm shelter adds to an Oklahoma home’s value.
- An existing storm shelter can be an attractive feature to future buyers.
- Professional installation, condition, and documentation can affect how buyers view the shelter.
- Neither above-ground nor below-ground shelters automatically provide greater resale value.
- Don’t assume you’ll recover the full installation cost through resale or receive an insurance discount.
- The primary value of a storm shelter is the protection it provides while you own the home.
Considering a storm shelter for your Oklahoma home? Call Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 for a free quote and straightforward information about above-ground and below-ground storm shelter options.
