Skip to Content

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Shooting Range?

It will cost you a minimum of $1million to build a standard shooting range. This is so because the cost of acquiring the land, and equipment needed for an outdoor shooting range and other related activities is actually significant.

Apart from the investment you are expected to put into building your outdoor shooting range, this business is essentially very profitable. Interestingly, when it comes to building an outdoor shooting range, the budget is not fixed.

In this article, we will discuss some of the major factors that can influence the overall cost of building an outdoor shooting range.

7 Factors That Influence the Cost of Building an Outdoor Shooting Range

  1. The Size of the Land and Infrastructure

The bigger the size of land and infrastructure you want to build your outdoor shooting range, the more you are expected to spend on lease or rent, or acquiring the land and infrastructure.

Apart from the rent or lease of the land, you will also be required to spend money on construction or renovation costs. Note that your shooting lanes should be separated by dividers to prevent shooters from accidentally shooting each other.

  1. The Cost of Infrastructure and Utilities

The amount you are expected to spend on basic utilities such as electricity, water supply, drainage systems, lighting, furnishing, electronics, gadgets, parking areas, and access roads is no doubt highly significant.

Note that you are going to spend money on installing or upgrading this infrastructure and this amount will depend on the scope and requirements of your specific location.

  1. The Cost of Acquiring Outdoor Shooting Range Equipment and Supplies

You should make plans to spend on equipment and supplies needed to operate the outdoor shooting range, including targets, ear protection, eye protection, ammunition, firearms, shooting bench, and range maintenance tools. range flags, cleaning supplies, range bag, first aid kit).

No doubt, the budget for acquiring outdoor shooting range equipment and supplies will influence the overall cost of building an outdoor shooting range.

  1. The Outdoor Shooting Range Design and Layout

There are different types and styles of designs and layouts that an outdoor shooting range can take. When you contract an architect to help you design an outdoor shooting range, they will charge based on the complexity or simplicity of the design and layout that you choose.

  1. The Types of Permits, Licenses, and Approvals Needed

If you are looking to build an outdoor shooting range in any city in the United States of America, you will be expected to obtain all the needed permits, licenses, and approvals from the appropriate authorities within your jurisdiction. Without the necessary permits, licenses, and approval, you cannot go ahead to build your outdoor shooting range.

  1. The Cost of Landscaping and Aesthetics

You should not only budget for building the outdoor shooting range but also the outside. That is where landscaping and aesthetics come in. Come to think of it, people will first be drawn to how beautiful your outdoor shooting range looks at the outside before they even consider coming in.

This is the reason why you must make sure you have a robust budget for landscaping and aesthetics. The amount you are expected to spend in this regard will be based on your preference and the class of customers you want to attract.

  1. Miscellaneous Expenses

Miscellaneous expenses vary and they could cover expenses such as land mortgages, construction loans, equipment financing, working capital, interest rates, insurance, taxes, professional consulting fees (such as architects, engineers, lawyers, and planning, design, legal compliance, and financial matters), and unforeseen contingencies. 

Also, costs associated with legal fees for consulting with an attorney and drafting necessary contracts and agreements should be considered and should be grouped under miscellaneous expenses.