Storm Shelter FAQs

All of our tornado shelters are made in Oklahoma.

All storm shelters installed by Sprague’s Backhoe meet and exceed FEMA guidelines.

There are many factors that go into the installation of a storm shelter, but most of the time, it’s done in 3-4 hours from start to finish!

Typically 3-6 weeks.

If you call us in the spring or fall during rainy season, weather delays will affect storm shelter installations.
If you call us after a tornadic storm, expect a 12-16+ week wait. It’s always better to beat the rain storms and schedule ahead of time!

Above ground and below ground storm shelters have different advantages and disadvantages. Above ground shelters are more expensive, but have stamped concrete designs that can add beauty to a property. Above ground shelters are just as safe as below ground shelters, and are less invasive because they require less dirt work and site preparation. On the other hand, below ground shelters tend to be more budget-friendly and are the most popular choice for young families, those financing their home, and rebate and grant recipients.

For more information on the differences between above ground and below ground storm shelters, please see our comprehensive blog post that compares the two. Additionally, we have a quiz available to help you determine which type of storm shelter would be the perfect match for your family, lifestyle, and situation.

Most cities require a building permit before you can install a storm shelter. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain a storm shelter permit.

This depends on which shelter you choose. Our storm shelters and safe rooms hold anywhere from 8-16+ people. If you need help deciding which storm shelter is right for you, contact us and we can help!

We get asked this all the time. The answer is no. They are equally safe.

Our off-season for storm shelters is between September and February. We recommend purchasing your storm shelter during these months to avoid a long waiting list and weather delays.

Don’t panic. We recommend waiting for first responders to get to you before trying to get out. If you have registered your storm shelter, they know where you are. If you force open the shelter door, the debris might fall in and cause injuries to people inside.

Registering your storm shelter is a service provided by most cities to help first responders locate people in case of an emergency.  Registering your storm shelter can be done online or over the phone. 

We aren’t sure if it actually increases the value of your home, but having a storm shelter is never a bad thing to have in Oklahoma! As friends of several realtors, we can tell you that a lot of Oklahoma buyers look for homes with storm shelters already installed.

You’re the boss. We will install your storm shelter wherever you’d like it. We recommend putting it in a place where you can get to it in a hurry during a storm. Backyards are the most common place that we install our shelters. If you need help choosing a spot, we are happy to help.

You’re the boss. We will install your storm shelter wherever you’d like it. We recommend putting it in a place where you can get to it in a hurry during a storm. Backyards are the most common place that we install our shelters. If you need help choosing a spot, we are happy to help.

We do! Financing is based on credit scores. Interest rates are currently 2.99% and are subject to change. 

That’s up to your landlord. If he/she is ok with it, so are we!

We are also equipped to move storm shelters and safe rooms, so as long as you have an agreement with your landlord that you own the shelter, you have the option to take it with you when you leave!

Above ground storm shelters vary in price, depending on the size of the storm shelter and the installation address. For your convenience, we have our pricing listed on our website. Visit our above ground storm shelter page for more information and the most up-to-date pricing.