Chose the basement bunker over the panic room, not sure I won
After watching one too many documentaries, I had my contractor quote both options in my 1970s ranch outside Tucson. The panic room was 11k, the bunker was 18k, so I went cheap and picked the panic room. Then three weeks ago a monsoon flooded my crawl space, and now that room smells like a wet gym sock. My cousin Dave built a backyard bunker for 15k with a sump pump and it's bone dry. Guess I should have asked about drainage before I put all my canned beans in there. Anyone else build survival spaces without checking water tables first?
Oh man, that wet gym sock smell hits different when it's your emergency supplies. I feel your pain, I really do. I once drywalled a basement without checking the grading outside and ended up with a little indoor pond and a very expensive lesson about water always winning. Your cousin Dave sounds like the smart one here, but hey, at least your beans have a nice earthy aroma now, adds character. Honestly, every contractor learns the hard way that water tables do not care about your plans. Take this with a grain of salt, but I'd trade musty for dry any day, even if it costs a few extra grand.