Q&A for How to Build an Underground Bunker

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Can I build a house underground?

Andrew Peters
Architecture & Construction Specialist
Andrew Peters is an Architecture and Construction Specialist and a Principal at Peters Design-Build, a full service architecture and construction firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew specializes in sustainable and holistic design and building practices. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Accredited Professional. He served as Project Manager for the international-award-winning “Refract House,” Team California’s entry in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a project featured in over 600 online and print articles.

Andrew Peters

Architecture & Construction Specialist

Expert Answer

It depends on where you live, but it's typically illegal to do this. Homes usually have to have windows, which means you can't put an entire house underground. For a regular building, you wouldn't be able to build it out underground to be especially large, but again, it's a moot point since you won't be legally allowed to build it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 37 Helpful 37
Question

What are the major concerns for a bunker, safety-wise?

Andrew Peters
Architecture & Construction Specialist
Andrew Peters is an Architecture and Construction Specialist and a Principal at Peters Design-Build, a full service architecture and construction firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of experience, Andrew specializes in sustainable and holistic design and building practices. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Accredited Professional. He served as Project Manager for the international-award-winning “Refract House,” Team California’s entry in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a project featured in over 600 online and print articles.

Andrew Peters

Architecture & Construction Specialist

Expert Answer

Waterproofing is a nightmare. Water is especially dangerous when it come to building integrity, and it's very hard to waterproof spaces underground if there isn't a building on top of it to divert water away.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 56
Question

What is the best and strongest material to build a bunker if money is not an issue?

Blue Monkey Mason

Community Answer

Reinforced concrete and a lot of steel. You will need to make the wall quite thick.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 26
Question

What if I don’t have a lot of money?

Community Answer

The materials shown above should help you keep the costs down.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What if I had a $5,000,000 budget. What is the best filtration for long-term use?

Peyton Schmiege

Community Answer

HEPA air filters are used in nuclear power plants and hospitals. That would be your best bet. $5,000,000 would provide you with a pretty good bunker!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

I have an old basement foundation. Its building burnt down years ago. It’s just a square pit lined with cinder blocks, about 12x12 and 7 feet deep. Could I turn this into a bunker?

Community Answer

That could make a very good bunker, especially if you could use all the utilities from the old building. Here are some steps: 1. Assess your space. 2. Create a design for your new bunker. 3. Check for damage in the basement. 4. Seal any cracks. 5. Divide it into rooms (optional). 6. Reinforce the walls. 7. Install a new roof. 8. Redo all the utilities. 9. Cover it up. 10. Put in your furniture and supplies. 11. Check for anything else that needs work. 12. Enjoy your refurbished bunker.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can I convert my basement to a emergency bunker?

Panda Man

Community Answer

Yes, you absolutely can. How you do this depends on your basement, but it's a good idea.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0