American Tornado Master

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We decided to put in an above ground tornado shelter because of all the tornadoes in the area last year. We had one within 5 miles of our home the other year. I did a lot of research on-line and American Tornado Master was the only local area dealer that had all of their designs tested at Texas Tech Wind Science Engineering Center and engineered to meet or exceed the FEMA 320/361 and the ICC-500 Building codes. The shelter is also well constructed with heavier gauge materials than most of their competitors and they also powder coat the shelter instead of just using paint (more durable).
We found the price to be higher than some other competitor's standard prices that I found on-line, but felt the quality and testing of their product was worth the extra cost. I know that they were really busy since it took almost a month and a half to get a salesman to even come out to give us a quote and go over our options. The only thing that I found disappointing was the lack of a firm delivery and installation date. I was told they normally would get the installation done in 3 to 4 weeks, but due to the amount of business they had, they could not be certain. I did not hear anything from the company after 3 weeks and called the office to check on the installation date. They did respond to my calls, but still could not give me a definite delivery date.
They did schedule the garage foundation check for cables and plumbing (install prerequisite) during the 4th week. I then received a call on Thursday (4th week) and they asked if an installation on Saturday was OK. I put some of my weekend plans on hold and told them to go ahead since we wanted to get this done. The installers did a good job and were very careful. It took about three and a half hours to have the shelter unloaded and installed. Overall I am very pleased with the quality and workmanship of the tornado shelter. It is also an excellent safe room as well.

I had initially planned an in-ground garage floor storm shelter, and received two bids, one from American Tornado Master Inc. and
another from a North Texas based smaller company that specializes specifically in garage floor storm shelters. I then decided instead to purchase an above ground safe room, as I had the ideal location for one. I then received bids from the same two companies, and chose the cheaper bid from the smaller company. This was a huge mistake. The other small North Texas based company required a down payment of 50%, which is common. The small North Texas based company took my money, and I have had to take legal action to recover the money that I put down.
After my experience with the other small North Texas based company, I then called American Tornado Master Inc., and this is where everything went right. The product was more expensive; however, short of having saved my family’s life in a storm (which is a test that I hope to not experience), the safe room is of top quality. The company delivered the product when they said it would arrive, and the installation was done with care and precision. The installers took their time and made sure that the job was done correctly. The safe room’s powder coating even gives it a good appearance. The room comes with three deadbolt locks and two steel interior door braces, making the room impenetrable from the outside. The construction of this safe room is better than what I have seen elsewhere, and the sales pitch about the quality of the product is the real deal in my opinion.
American Tornado Master Inc. delivered me a quality product, great service and piece of mind knowing that I have the best constructed safe room available. As for price, the sales professional made it clear that other safe rooms are less expensive, and sold the quality of the product. That initially did not impress me; however, I now believe in the quality of the product. Other companies may claim to sell an equal quality product at a lower price. I would very much recommend that a purchaser of a steel safe room consider this claim with some skepticism and do some research. For this reason, I am giving an “A” rating for price, since I do not feel that I really have an “apples to apples” comparison with other products available in my area.
I highly recommend American Tornado Master Inc. for steel above ground safe rooms. I would assume that their other products are of the same quality.

The day finally arrived!! At noon, the truck with the installer and his helper arrived, along with a large flatbed truck with my shelter and the 'digger'.

The task was made more complex with soggy ground which holds water well. And, the stockade fence to the back yard needed to be partially removed, then the digger had to wind his way around and through my trees to the far corner of the yard.

He set to digging, and made a huge hole!! Then, we noticed (he noticed and called it to my attention) that at about the three foot level we apparently hit an underground spring. After discussing the situation with Bill over the phone, the installer and I decided after lengthy consideration not to install the shelter. The constant pressure from the spring would eventually undermine the shelter, and I didn't want to risk that.

So, he filled in the hole, filled in the gouges his digger had made in my dirt yard, raked everything nicely and replaced the fence sections (adding two sacks of concrete to the supporting post). He and his helper worked seven hours, and had nothing to show for it. But they saved me a huge future headache, of that I am certain.

Bill called and offered me a great deal on a safe room type of shelter, but I chose to forgo that at this time. I will have to pay for the building permit (the city won't refund that) and am being charged only $400 for the days work by the installer -- which I think is certainly a fair price. All of my remaining deposit will be refunded.

I couldn't ask for better service! They clearly had MY interests at heart. They didn't try to push anything on me just to get a sale. Should I decide in the future to purchase a shelter, they will certainly be the first I call!