Top-rated shelter or outbuilding builders.

Get matched with top shelter or outbuilding builders in Portola Valley, CA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 3 pros

Matching on HomeAdvisor

Share some details icon
Share some details about your home project.
Match with local pros icon
Within moments, match with highly-rated local pros.
Compare quotes icon
Compare quotes and choose the best pro for the job.

Find Shelter or outbuilding builders in Portola Valley

Avatar for McCormick Home Builders, Inc.
McCormick Home Builders, Inc.
4.4(
23
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2017

Free estimates

Customers say: True professional

"We found McCormick home builders through Angie’s list. They were not one of our original contacts, but they contacted us and came out to give us a quote. Matteo was extremely helpful, informative, honest, and gave us reasonable realistic prices, and did not try to inflate the prices or pressure us in anyway. We felt very comfortable with him immediately. We felt like he was a member of the family that we could just talk to and ask questions he was very personable. He gave us his contact number in case we had other questions and he was always available when we needed him for any type of questions or concerns. Mateo‘s team did a beautiful job. They were fast. They were efficient. They cleaned up beautifully. They did a wonderful job. They were very considerate of our time our needs and our neighbors. They were an absolute pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Matteo from McCormick home builders for any home building projects, and we will be calling him again in the future!"
.
.
.
.
.

+1

Response time6 hrs
Recommended by28%of homeowners
RSF Construction Inc.
1.0(
1
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

RSF Construction Inc. is a leader in providing our customers with the highest quality service in an honest, efficient, and professional way. Our pledge is to create successful relationships with our customers, employees and community by building trust, treating every project with the utmost integrity and exceeding expectations. We look forward to working with you!

Avatar for Wise Builders
Wise Builders
4.8(
99
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

"I cannot recommend enough! Our project included a kitchen remodel, new flooring, and recessed lighting throughout the home. The final result exceeded our expectations and has made our newly purchased home more functional, as well as more comfortable. The project was completed in lightning speed (~40% faster than original quote, which was reasonable to begin with), but certainly without compromising on quality. Everything turned out beautiful!"
After
After
After
After
Before

+498

Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for Musante Property Development, Inc.
Musante Property Development, Inc.
5.0(
18
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

An award winning provider, we started our business to build housing in the Sacramento area in 2004, then converted to home maintenance, repair, and remodeling in 2008 in the greater Bay Area. We work out of the Woodside/Redwood City area. We handle all work related to home maintenance and repair from "to do lists" to room additions, but our true passion is in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.

Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+23

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Babylon Builders
Babylon Builders
4.2(
463
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I cannot overstate how happy I am with Ron and his great team from Babylon Builders. I had a dream to have a greenhouse built with a hot tub inside. I was looking for an oasis and a natural garden under one roof. I searched and interviewed many contractors and I at one point thought this idea could not materialize as there were discussions from other contractors who did not seem to get the feel and flow or vision of what I was trying to capture. In addition to the build, the placement of the greenhouse had to be attached to my balcony. I came across Babylon Builders and after having a conversation with Ron I got excited thinking this could really happen. Ron came to the house within a few days and brought Juan and the crew so we could all go over exactly what we were hoping for. We hired their team instantly. They were very efficient, creative, and neat in their cleanup every day which was so important to me. Juan thinks outside the box and is a great problem solver in addition to being very talented in his ideas. Every day we would go outside several times a day to watch the magic happen. Juan and Ron fielded many questions and were always ready to answer our numerous questions. Ron and Juan are great people and take pride in their work. Their price was great too. In the end, the results were better than we imagined! I highly recommend Babylon Builders to anyone who wants great craftsmanship and a job you will be proud of."
Backyard
Finished Complete
Backyard
Modern Country Kitchen
MORE WORK

+167

Response time1 day
Recommended by87%of homeowners
Avatar for Mega Power Electric, Inc
Mega Power Electric, Inc
5.0(
191
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Mega Power Electric is an excellent company to work with. Gary and his team are knowledgeable, honest, and will go out of their way to get the job done right. We installed panels and solar battery storage unit in our home and we're reaping the benefits of being clean and green."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+32

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Silicon Valley Renovations
Silicon Valley Renovations
4.7(
26
)

Serving Portola Valley, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"At the time, Eli Samson was my contact with Build4Less, but now he is with Silicon Valley Renovations. Eli listened to my requirements, made good suggestions, and brought in workers who were courteous and professional. The work was completed in time for the winter rain. Eli had the roofers install three rain barrels, and he brought in labor to excavate drains to keep water away from the foundation. Eli communicates well, and that is what made me decide to hire him."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+17

Recommended by100%of homeowners
...
Showing 1-10 of 68
FAQs for shelter or outbuilding building service projects in Portola Valley, CA

A bomb shelter is an abode built to withstand disaster. Bomb shelters may refer to a space or bunker that can protect inhabitants through a hypothetical nuclear attack, apocalypse, or any other massive crisis. People usually build bomb shelters underground and stock them to live there a few days to a month at a time. Doomsday bunkers accommodate long-term living rather than just through a short crisis.

Builders construct bomb shelters with reinforced steel, box culvert, concrete, or other durable materials (but many professionals do not recommend shipping containers, as they’re not designed to live underground. If building underground, you’ll first have to excavate land before building the actual structure. You’ll have to implement air and water filtration systems, septic systems, and power supply.

It takes a lot of experience to safely and legally construct a bomb shelter, not to mention make sure it’s fit to live in for extended periods of time. It’s best to talk to a residential structural engineer near you for proper guidance.

The current standard filtration systems require filtering both air and water. For air, you’ll want an NBC filter system, which both domestic and international producers make. NBC stands for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical, which filters out all three. If you’re only building your shelter for natural disasters, chemical attacks, and biological attacks, you may opt for the less expensive HEPA filter system. 

Water filtration requires the same level of care. You’ll likely want to have a large water storage capacity to survive short-term disasters. For long-term living, you’ll want to have a water filtration system.

Rising S bunker prices depend on the size, ranging anywhere from $20,000 to $9 million. Their least expensive model is 96 square feet while their most expensive model has a gym, swimming pool, hot tub, and bowling alley.

  • Mini: $45,500

  • Standard Bomb Shelter: $67,500–$109,500

  • Silver Leaf: $140,000–$182,500

  • Admiral: $180,000–$500,000

  • Xtreme: $450,000–$780,000

  • Xtreme Bunker Complex: $840,000–$1,830,000

  • Luxury Series: $3,800,000–$9,600,000

You almost always need a permit to build a bunker on land with any type of public utilities running through it. You’ll want to check with your local building code enforcement agency to see if this is the case for your area. 

Because you’re building a structural component that often requires electricity, water, and sewage services, you’ll need to apply for permits to attach these utilities to your new property. However, off-grid-only units in rural areas may not need all or any of the permitting you’d normally find in more urban settings.

To survive a nuclear blast, you’ll need to have your bunker at least three feet underground. However, it’s usually advisable to put it further underground. To survive a close strike, you’ll want to have the bunker at least 10 feet down and with five-foot thick reinforced concrete. However, knowing exactly how deep to build depends on the size of the blast you’re trying to avoid. Most bunkers don’t need to be more than 5 feet below the ground. 

The Portola Valley, CA homeowners’ guide to shelter or outbuilding building services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

  • newly built swimming pool enclosure

    The cost to build a pool enclosure depends on the type of cover you choose and the size of your pool. Learn how to budget for this project.

  • Open door to storm cellar

    HomeAdvisor’s Bomb Shelter and Bunker Cost Guide covers all the costs of a prefabricated doomsday bunker. Find costs and find professional bunker builders near you.

  • light blue shed in a backyard

    Building a shed or playhouse comes with costs for materials, labor, and design choices. Compare DIY vs. professional installation to find the best option for your budget.