Highlights
Expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $55,000 to build a root cellar.
You can build an above-ground or below-ground root cellar.
Keep your fruits, veggies, and root crops fresh year-round.
Wet and humid states are not ideal for in-ground root cellars.
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What’s old is new again, and root cellars are making a modern comeback. With many homeowners wanting fresh fruits, vegetables, root crops, and nuts all year long, root cellars provide a dark, dry, and low-temperature environment for produce to thrive. For a fully or partially underground root cellar, you can expect to pay between $2,600 to $11,500. To build a simplified root cellar above ground, you can expect to pay $500 or less.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Root Cellar by Type?
There are various types of root cellars, including above-ground, below-ground, basem*nt, and more. Which type you build impacts your final cost.
| Root Cellar Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Above-Ground | $200 – $25,000 |
| Below-Ground | $10,000 – $55,000 |
| Basem*nt | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Garage Floor | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| FEMA Safe Room/Storm Shelter | Up to 75% of the total cost |
Above Ground
Depending on the type, above-ground root cellars range from $200 for a crawl space to $25,000 for cinder blocks, concrete, insulation, and professional labor and building.
Below Ground
In-ground root cellars are usually built into a hillside or below ground, making them exceptional for storing many crops. Depending on the type of materials you use, equipment rental, and labor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $55,000 for this project.
Basem*nt
To add a root cellar to your existing basem*nt, you’ll have to do some remodeling. To add a gravel floor, proper ventilation, climate control, and shelving, you can expect to spend between $10,000 to $25,000.
Garage Floor
Garage floor root cellars are smaller than in-ground units, but they make it easy for homeowners who want underground storage without leaving the house. This option saves time and hassle— homeowners do not need to head outdoors to clear snow or debris off an in-ground root cellar door. You can expect to pay between $3,000 to $9,000 for this type.
FEMA Safe Room/Storm Shelter
When considering building an above-ground root cellar, many homeowners choose to create a FEMA Safe Room or Storm Shelter (FEMA P-361) to help cover up to 75% of the costs.
The requirements for a tornado or hurricane storm shelter mirror the dimensions of an above-ground root cellar, making this option feasible for those living in storm-heavy areas.
Building a Root Cellar Cost Breakdown
Materials
Depending on the intricacy of your root cellar, materials can be one of the highest or lowest costs. The least expensive option is using recycled materials found around your home.
But if you’re looking to construct a root cellar from scratch, you’ll have to account for these materials costs:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Gravel floor | $1 – $3 per sq. ft. |
| Concrete walls | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Plywood | $30 per sheet |
| Insulation | $20 – $30 per sheet |
| Doors | $500 – $3,500 |
| Refrigeration | $1,000 – $10,000 |
| Thermometer | $100 |
| Hygrometer (for humidity) | $25 |
| Storage Shelves/Containers | $250 – $1,500 |
| Drainage | $1,900 – $6,000 |
Equipment Rental
You’ll need to account for renting heavy equipment or hiring professionals for the construction of in-ground root cellars.
Excavator: It costs $5 to $200 per cubic yard for professional excavation; $350 to $1,600 per day to rent and excavator and DIY.
Pouring concrete: It costs $100 per cubic yard for professional concrete pouring.
Labor
You should budget 30% for professional labor costs to build your root cellar.
Humidity
To prevent your crops from withering and rotting, you’ll need to keep the humidity below 95% in your root cellar. Many cold climates provide proper temperatures below ground, but if you live in a warmer climate, you’ll need to insulate your cellar to keep it cool. You can expect to pay between $100 to $3,500 for climate control.
Size
The average size and depth of a root cellar is 10 square feet. Smaller root cellars run 5 by 8 square feet. Depending on the size, you can expect to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000 to build your root cellar.
Air Circulation
Certain fruits and veggies, such as apples and pears, emit ethylene gas—a natural occurrence that ripens fruits. To avoid overripening all of your stored crops, you’ll need to account for proper air ventilation in your root cellar. To install intake and exhaust vents, you can expect to pay $300 to $6,000.
Cost to Build a Root Cellar Near You
Photo: Aleksandar Angelov Asenov / EyeEm / Getty Images
Root cellars require low temperatures, high humidity, ventilation, a dry or damp space, no sunlight, and accessibility. To meet these needs, you ideally need to live in an area with a cooler climate so you can dig out a root cellar.
Luckily, there are many different types of root cellars, so you can build one that meets the needs of your current climate and your home’s square footage.
Region
In naturally cold climates like New England, you can build an above-ground root cellar to store herbs, grains, squash, beans, onions, and garlic. These items survive well in cooler temperatures, and they don’t require the moisture that comes with an in-ground root cellar. You can expect to pay between $200 to $25,000 for this option.
To construct a root cellar in the Southeast, Southwest, and Far West, such as Arizona and Texas, there will be a cost increase to account for the extra insulation to cool your root cellar from the heat. You’ll want to plan to spend between $500 and $25,000 or more.
State
States with a lot of rainfall and humidity are not ideal for below-ground root cellars. For example, Louisiana is considered a sub-tropical area and has a high water table, which means there’s no option for an in-ground root cellar. An above-ground root cellar won’t work either because it is too humid outside. For this area, adding a freestanding refrigerated root cellar inside your home will run around $900 for a prefabricated fridge and an average of $30,000 for a custom-made refrigerator designed for your lifestyle.
City Center vs. Rural
Many metropolitan homeowners can enjoy the benefits of fresh produce year-round without needing to build an in-ground root cellar. You can store your crops inside your home in coolers or insulated bins that run from $200 to $3,000. Choose a cooler that holds a temperature of 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the top open 1/4 inch for ventilation.
Typically, rural homeowners benefit from ample space to build a root cellar of their choosing. With numerous options available, you can expect to spend an average of $3,000 to $15,000 for an above-ground cellar and $4,000 to $30,000 for an underground root cellar.
Cost to Build a Root Cellar Yourself
Smaller above-ground root cellars are great for DIY enthusiasts. You can build a barrel root cellar, create a berm—a rounded mound of soil that creates a barrier to the outside, or dig a crawl space.
You’ll save 30% on labor costs, and you can work on your root cellar at your own pace. You’ll need a drill, safety goggles, screws, storage baskets, and low-cost or recycled building materials. You can expect to spend $500 or less on these options.
Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor
First, experienced DIYers can install small prefabricated root cellars for as little as $1,000. However, larger prefabricated root cellars cost between $10,000 to $30,000, and they require heavy equipment for installation, so it’s best to leave that to the pros.
Second, we recommend that only professionals take on building an in-ground root cellar. You’ll need to hire a local structural engineer or an architect in your area to draw up building plans for this project.
Finally, you will need to hire a licensed contractor near you to properly construct your root cellar, following all local safety and building codes. You can expect to spend between $10,000 to $55,000 for professionals, materials, installation, and labor for this project.
How You Can Save Money While Building a Root Cellar
You can dig out an above-ground root cellar from an outbuilding, such as a metal storage locker, for a more DIY and less expensive approach. This option provides a cool, damp temperature and plenty of ventilation.
Another inexpensive option is transforming the space underneath your deck into a semi-above ground root cellar with metal bins and plastic sheeting.
FAQs
Should I buy or build a root cellar?
It depends on your budget and what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking for a fast and easy solution, buying a cooler or prefabricated root cellar is a good choice.
But, if you want ample storage space to house your many fruits, vegetables, and root crops, you should build a root cellar for the long term.
What should I consider when building a root cellar?
It might be tempting to save money by burying an old refrigerator or freezer in the ground to keep your perishables cool and dark. But, without proper ventilation, your produce will rot. It’s best to build a root cellar with the proper equipment and environment to keep your crops fresh and ripe.
What other projects should I do at the same time?
Since root cellars are great for prolonging the life of your fruits, veggies, and root crops, you can also add canning to your project list. Canning keeps your food fresh for up to a year, and because canned foods require a dry, dark, and cool environment to thrive, a root cellar is the perfect storage place.
