Basement Window Costs

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Basement window costs will run $1,450 to $4,500 for the entire egress project, which involves much more than simply popping in a window and sealing it up. (Note: do it yourself pricing is much different and might run $800 to $1000 for the entire egress project.) Any basement that is being renovated or is being used as a living space is required to have an emergency egress opening. This can be either a door or a window. In order to create the opening and have it comply with city or county building codes, most basement windows require a number of steps that we will go through and provide cost estimates for.

This is one project where there will be tremendous price differences between different contractor bids and quotes so make sure to get at least three. This will insure that you understand the scope and details of your particular project and that you receive the most competitive pricing.






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Step 1: Prep The Exterior

For an egress window to pass code, there must by roughly 5.7 square feet of open space - enough space for an adult to get through the window and up the well or out of the space. Often times, this means digging out around the outside of where the window will be placed. In some cases, this is a DIY project. In others, it requires a two or three man team working with a small backhoe to clear away the space and get rid of the earth.

Step 2: Install Exterior Support

Once the area is prepped, something needs to be installed to secure the space in the future. There are a whole lot of options here; some homeowners install terraced layers or levels that gradually go down to the basement window, others opt for concrete or stone steps, while some go with a premade window well with its own ladder and protective top. The decision will often be dictated by on how deep the window or basement is in relationship to the ground level.

Step 3: Cutting The Rough Hole

Unless there is already a hole in the basement wall (which there will typically not be unless the space is being used), your contractor will have to create the opening. Cutting a large hole through your home's walls is serious business. The contractor or person in charge will need the house drawings and specs in order to insure that they don't hit any electrical or plumbing lines, which can cause a whole other set of headaches.

Step 4: Framing The Window

After the hole is cut in the basement wall, it must be properly framed out to provide the necessary wall support and to handle the weight of the new window. The contractor will often add flashing to the header and sides and add a sill pan to the bottom as an extra water barrier should any water get inside the frame somewhere down the line.

Step 5: Install The Window

The fifth and final step is to insert the window and secure it in place using the nailing flange that comes with all new construction windows. The installer will typically put in a low expanding foam around the edges to completely seal the window (depending on how snug it fits in the opening) and then caulk both the inside and outside. They may also do some additional finish work depending on the project detail and requirements.