Quick Answer:
When choosing a storm shelter company in Oklahoma, look for experience, insurance, shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA guidelines, strong customer reviews, and clear information about installation and warranties. Sprague’s Backhoe has served Oklahoma since 2013 with more than 20 years of storm shelter industry experience.
Choosing a storm shelter is a big decision, but choosing who installs it matters too.
Storm shelter installers aren’t licensed by the State of Oklahoma specifically for storm shelter installation, so homeowners need to do a little homework. Experience, insurance, shelter design, installation practices, and reputation can tell you much more than a sales pitch.
Here are five things to look for when comparing storm shelter companies in Oklahoma.
1. Verify Insurance and Installation Experience
Start with two simple questions: Is the company insured, and how long have they actually been installing storm shelters?
Ask for proof of current insurance and look beyond how long the business name has existed. An established installer should be able to clearly explain their experience, installation process, equipment, and the types of shelters they regularly install.
Sprague’s Backhoe has more than 20 years of storm shelter industry experience and has been locally owned in Oklahoma since 2013. Every installation is handled by Sprague’s Backhoe, with no subcontractors or rotating installation crews.
2. Ask How the Shelter Meets FEMA Guidelines
Be cautious when a company advertises a storm shelter as “FEMA certified” or “FEMA approved.”
FEMA does not certify or approve individual storm shelter products. Instead, safe rooms are designed and constructed according to established criteria for extreme wind and debris protection.
Ask the installer what standards the shelter was designed around and what documentation is available from the manufacturer.
The storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe are designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines. Homeowners can also review FEMA’s safe room guidance before choosing a shelter.
3. Read Reviews From Oklahoma Customers
Reviews can tell you a lot about what happens after the salesperson gets off the phone.
Look for reviews that mention:
- Communication before installation
- Whether the crew arrived as expected
- Care taken around the property
- How problems or weather delays were handled
- Experiences after the installation was complete
Don’t judge a company from one glowing review or one angry review. Look for patterns over time.
Sprague’s Backhoe has built its reputation through Oklahoma customers, repeat referrals, and years of storm shelter installations throughout the state.
4. Compare More Than the Price
Getting more than one quote can be helpful, but make sure you’re comparing the same thing.
A lower number doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the same shelter or installation.
Before choosing a company, compare:
- Shelter size and design
- What is included with installation
- Delivery charges
- Site and equipment access requirements
- Warranty coverage
- Payment terms
- Any additional charges that may apply to your property
A reputable installer should be able to explain the total cost and what you’re receiving without making the process confusing.
Read the Contract, and Ask What the Waiver Actually Covers
Don’t just look at the price before signing. Read the contract, including any property access or liability waivers, and ask questions if something isn’t clear.
Storm shelter installation requires bringing large, heavy equipment onto private property. A general property access waiver may address ordinary risks associated with entering the property, such as driving across a yard or accessing the installation area. That does not necessarily mean the contractor has no responsibility if something goes seriously wrong.
This is also why verifying insurance matters. A contract and a contractor’s insurance serve different purposes. Ask what the waiver covers, what it does not cover, and what insurance the company carries before assuming a waiver leaves you with no protection.
Sprague’s Backhoe uses a written agreement that explains property access and the risks involved with bringing heavy installation equipment onto a customer’s property. Sprague’s Backhoe is also fully insured. If a customer has a question about something in the agreement, Sprague’s Backhoe would rather explain it before installation than have someone sign something they don’t understand.
If paying for a shelter all at once isn’t ideal, Sprague’s Backhoe also provides information about storm shelter financing options.
5. Ask Who Will Actually Install Your Storm Shelter
This is an easy question to overlook.
Ask whether the company you’re hiring performs its own installations or sends the work to subcontractors. You should also understand what equipment will be used, what access is required, and who is responsible if something changes on installation day.
For above-ground storm shelter installations, Sprague’s Backhoe uses its own installation equipment and crew. Above-ground shelters are secured directly into the ground using a steel anchoring system.
Below-ground installations require excavation, so weather, soil conditions, drainage, utilities, and equipment access also need to be considered.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Storm Shelter Company
You don’t need to interrogate the installer, but you should be comfortable asking a few basic questions:
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- How long have you installed storm shelters?
- Are you fully insured?
- Do you perform your own installations?
- Do your shelters meet FEMA guidelines?
- What warranty comes with the shelter?
- What access does your equipment need?
- Are there additional delivery or installation charges for my property?
- Who is responsible for obtaining a permit if my city requires one?
- What does your property access or liability waiver cover, and what happens if your crew accidentally damages my property?
A good storm shelter company should be able to answer those questions clearly.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if a storm shelter company:
- Claims its shelters are “FEMA certified” or “FEMA approved”
- Cannot provide proof of insurance
- Won’t explain who performs the installation
- Provides vague information about the shelter or warranty
- Uses high-pressure sales tactics
- Cannot clearly explain additional charges
- Has little verifiable history or customer feedback
Price matters, but it shouldn’t be the only information you have before allowing heavy equipment onto your property and trusting a company with your storm shelter installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do storm shelter installers need a license in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma does not have a specific state storm shelter installer license. That makes insurance, experience, manufacturer documentation, installation practices, and reputation especially important when comparing companies.
Are storm shelters FEMA certified?
No. FEMA does not certify or approve individual storm shelter products. Look for shelters designed to meet or exceed FEMA safe room guidelines instead.
Should I get multiple storm shelter quotes?
It can be helpful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the different shelter options. Just make sure you’re comparing shelter size, installation, delivery, warranty, and other included services rather than comparing the final price alone.
Should a storm shelter company be insured?
Yes. Ask the company to provide proof of current insurance before installation.
Who gets the storm shelter permit?
Permit requirements vary by city and property location. If a permit is required, the homeowner or property owner is responsible for obtaining it. Sprague’s Backhoe can provide the contractor information and documentation needed for the application.
How long does storm shelter installation take?
An above-ground installation typically takes about two hours once the crew is on site. A below-ground installation generally takes three to four hours when weather, ground conditions, and property access are favorable.
Does Sprague’s Backhoe use subcontractors?
No. Every storm shelter installation is handled by Sprague’s Backhoe, with no subcontractors or rotating crews.
Does signing a property access waiver mean I have no protection if something is damaged?
Not necessarily. A property access waiver and a contractor’s insurance are separate things. Storm shelter installation requires heavy equipment to enter the property, so contracts may address the normal risks associated with access and ground conditions. Ask the contractor to explain the waiver and verify that the company carries appropriate insurance for accidental damage or other covered incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Oklahoma does not have a specific storm shelter installer license, so experience and insurance matter.
- Avoid misleading claims that a shelter is “FEMA certified” or “FEMA approved.”
- Read customer reviews and look for consistent patterns over time.
- Compare the complete installation, not just the quoted price.
- Ask who will actually show up and install your storm shelter.
Looking for an experienced Oklahoma storm shelter company? Contact Sprague’s Backhoe at (405) 600-4905 for a free quote and straightforward information about above-ground and below-ground storm shelter options.
