Cost & quote scope
How EPS dome quotes are scoped
Vaultwerk doesn't publish a fixed list price, because an EPS dome quote is driven by scope tier, order size, interior fit-out, trade terms, and destination logistics. This page explains what moves the number — so you can prepare a quote request and brief your own budget, not read it off a shelf. For the lifecycle dome house cost comparison, see the EPS vs PVC TCO guide.
A note on numbers: figures depend on the model, quantity, interior scope, and shipping terms confirmed for a specific project. Use this page to prepare a quote request, not as a final price list.
Why there's no single list price
A bare 28 m² shell delivered to a port, and a turnkey resort of linked domes assembled on site, are not the same product — even when the dome looks identical in a photo. Publishing one sticker price would either flatter the simple case or frighten off the complex one. Instead, Vaultwerk quotes by scope, so you can see exactly what's in the number and brief your owner, finance partner, or committee with confidence.
The three scope tiers
Vaultwerk quotes by tier so two offers can be compared on the same basis. Decide which tier you're buying before you compare suppliers, and require every shortlisted supplier to quote the same tier against the same buyer-supplied items list.
| Tier | Typically included | You still budget separately |
|---|---|---|
| Shell-only | EPS modules, structural joinery and hardware, mesh, mortar, exterior coating, factory documents | Foundation, MEP, glazing labour, interiors, assembly crew, destination certification |
| Ready-to-move-in | Shell scope plus basic interior finishes, basic MEP rough-in, and glazing per the drawing set | Foundation, assembly labour, HVAC commissioning, certification applications |
| Turnkey | Ready-to-move-in scope plus on-site assembly with factory supervisory support | Local general contracting and certification handled through a buyer-engaged local partner, quoted separately |
What drives your budget
Ten factors move an EPS dome quote up or down. Knowing them up front makes your inquiry faster to price and easier to compare.
| Factor | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Scope tier | Shell-only, ready-to-move-in, or turnkey — the single largest driver of the number. |
| Footprint and model | 28, 33, 40, or 44 m², and whether sizes are combined into a linked or clustered layout. |
| Order size | A single cabin and a multi-unit resort batch carry different per-unit pricing and packing efficiency. |
| Interior fit-out level | From a bare shell to a fully finished interior, including bathroom and kitchen specification. |
| MEP routing | Electrical, water, and sanitary routing — specified per unit and per site. |
| Glazing and doors | Panoramic glazing, standard windows, and door packages each change the line. |
| Export reinforcement packaging | Reinforcement framing for international transit is a separate line, required for most destinations. |
| Trade term and destination port | FOB versus CIF, and the specific destination port, change what is and isn't in the quote. |
| On-site assembly support | From documents only, to supervisory support, to a full assembly scope. |
| Destination certification | Any destination-specific testing or compliance path the project requires. |
Order size changes your unit economics
Per-unit pricing, lead time, and container packing efficiency all shift with order size. Vaultwerk routes each inquiry to the right path by unit count, so a backyard buyer and a resort developer both get a relevant answer.
1–5 units
Single cabin, backyard build, or a small bed-and-breakfast. Quoted as a small order; packing and freight efficiency are lower per unit.
5–20 units
Boutique camp or a small resort phase. Volume begins to improve per-unit packing and lead time.
20–100 units
Resort or theme-park development. Quoted as a project batch with a project lead time.
100+ units
Tourism-scale or government-backed program. Handled as a staged, project-specific program.
What's usually not in the dome quote
The dome quote covers the building system at the tier you choose. The items below are normally budgeted separately — Vaultwerk flags them early so they don't surprise the project after the quote is signed.
- — Foundation and groundworks
- — Destination port handling, customs, and duties
- — Inland freight and crane access
- — Local general contracting and building permits
- — MEP commissioning on site
- — Destination certification and compliance applications
Look at cost over time, not just the sticker
The initial quote is one input. Insulation and energy use, maintenance cycles, and shell lifespan decide what a dome actually costs over ten, fifteen, or twenty years of operation — and that's where an EPS shell separates from a cheaper-to-buy fabric dome. Run the lifecycle math before you compare sticker prices.
Full lifecycle comparison: EPS vs PVC dome total cost of ownership. Spec and certification record: evidence & spec brief. Product footprints and layouts: Dome Series.
Common pricing questions
- Why doesn't Vaultwerk publish a fixed dome price?
- Because an EPS dome project's cost is driven by scope tier, footprint, order size, interior fit-out, trade terms, and destination logistics. A bare shell-only unit and a turnkey resort cluster are different products, so a single published number would mislead more than it helps. Share your scope and you get a quote built on the same basis you can compare against other suppliers.
- What's the difference between shell-only, ready-to-move-in, and turnkey?
- Shell-only covers the EPS modules, structural joinery and hardware, mesh, mortar, exterior coating, and factory documents — you handle foundation, MEP, glazing labour, interiors, and assembly. Ready-to-move-in adds basic interior finishes, basic MEP rough-in, and glazing per the drawing set. Turnkey adds on-site assembly with factory supervisory support, while local general contracting and certification are handled through a buyer-engaged local partner.
- Does ordering more units lower the price?
- Order size changes per-unit pricing, lead time, and container packing efficiency. A single unit, a 5–20 unit camp phase, a 20–100 unit resort batch, and a 100+ unit program are each quoted differently. Tell us your unit count and the quote reflects the right tier.
- What is not included in a dome quote?
- Foundation and groundworks, destination port handling, customs and duties, inland freight and crane access, local general contracting and permits, on-site MEP commissioning, and destination certification applications are budgeted separately. Vaultwerk scopes these with you so nothing surprises the project budget after the quote is signed.
What to send for a usable quote
The more of these you include, the faster the first quote comes back — and the easier it is to forward to an owner, finance partner, or committee. Copy this list into your inquiry; none of it requires a price from you.
| Input | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| Model and footprint | 28, 33, 40, or 44 m² — or a combined / linked layout |
| Unit count | 1–5, 5–20, 20–100, or 100+ — drives the pricing tier |
| Target scope | Shell-only, ready-to-move-in, or turnkey (or 'not sure yet') |
| Interior level | Bare shell, basic finish, or full fit-out including bathroom |
| Destination port | The discharge port that freight and trade terms are quoted against |
| Incoterm | FOB or CIF — decides what's inside the quote versus your budget |
| Site status | Land, foundation, and access readiness at the destination |
| Certification path | Any destination testing or code approval the project needs |
| Timeline | Target opening or delivery window |
| Evidence needed | Spec sheets, layout drawings, container plan, or report pages to forward internally |
Get a quote built on your scope
Tell us your unit count, destination, intended use, and scope tier. You'll get a scoped quote and an RFQ checklist within one business day — with real numbers, on a basis you can compare.