Definitions and legal references
These Terms of Service govern your use of howtobuildashelter.com (the "Site"), operated independently by How to Build a Shelter. By accessing or using the Site in any way, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the Site.
Educational content, not professional advice
The guides, checklists, and the Survival Readiness Check on this Site are provided for general educational and informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional advice — including medical, safety, emergency management, structural, or legal advice — and should not be relied on as your sole source of preparation for any emergency. Always follow guidance from qualified professionals and local authorities, and use your own judgment for your household's specific circumstances.
Assumption of risk — use at your own risk
Your access to and use of this Site, and any decisions or actions you take based on its content, are entirely at your own risk. You are solely responsible for how you use the information on this Site, and for evaluating its suitability for your own household, location, and circumstances before relying on it. By using this Site, you acknowledge and accept that How to Build a Shelter is not responsible for any outcome, harm, injury, or loss that results from your use of, or reliance on, this Site.
Products and purchases
Some products shown in the shop link directly to Amazon.com rather than being sold by us. When you buy through those links, your purchase, payment, shipping, and any returns are handled entirely by Amazon under Amazon's own terms — we are not a party to that transaction. For any products sold directly through this Site, standard order, payment, and shipping terms apply as described at checkout.
Amazon Associates disclosure
How to Build a Shelter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this Site, at no additional cost to you.
Acceptable use
You agree to use the Site lawfully and not to: copy or republish our content without permission, attempt to disrupt or gain unauthorized access to the Site, or use the Site in any way that could harm other visitors.
Intellectual property
The text, images, and other content on this Site are owned by How to Build a Shelter unless otherwise noted, and may not be reproduced or redistributed without permission. You may share links to our content freely.
No warranties
This Site and all content on it are provided strictly "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non-infringement. We do not guarantee the Site will be error-free, uninterrupted, secure, or that the information provided is complete, current, or suitable for your specific situation.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, How to Build a Shelter and its owner shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages of any kind — including personal injury, property damage, or loss of life — arising out of or relating to your access to, use of, or inability to use this Site, or any reliance on its content, including any harm resulting from emergency preparedness decisions made using information found here. This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory asserted (contract, tort, negligence, or otherwise), even where we have been advised of the possibility of such damages, and to the maximum extent such limitation is permitted by law.
Governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws applicable to the individual operator of this Site, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Site after changes means you accept the revised Terms.
Contact
Questions about these Terms can be sent to admin[a]howtobuildashelter.com.
Last updated: September 15, 2026