What this covers
An egress window is a basement window sized and placed so a person can climb out and a firefighter can get in, which is what makes a basement room a legal bedroom in most places. The company excavates outside the foundation, cuts the concrete or block with a wet saw, installs a lintel where the wall needs one, sets a buck and a window that meets the local opening and sill-height rules, and builds a window well with a gravel base, a drain tied to the footing drain or run to daylight, and a ladder or steps where the well is deep. A cover keeps rain and children out while still opening from inside.
When to call
- A basement bedroom or finished space that must meet egress rules.
- A small, high basement window you want replaced with more light and a way out.
- A basement being finished after water damage, where egress is part of the plan.
What to expect
- PlanThe location is chosen for interior layout, exterior grade and utilities, and the permit pulled.
- Excavate and cutThe soil is dug out, the foundation cut with a wet saw and the opening squared.
- SetLintel, buck and window are installed, flashed and sealed to the concrete.
- Well and drainThe well is set and backfilled with gravel, the drain connected, the cover fitted, and the window tested.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
What makes a window an egress window?
Local codes set a minimum clear opening, a maximum sill height from the floor, and a well big enough to stand in, with a ladder if it is deep. The company sizes the window and well to those rules.
Will cutting the foundation weaken the house?
A properly sized opening with a lintel where needed carries the load around it. The company checks the wall type and span before cutting and reinforces where required.
Where does water in the well go?
A gravel base and a drain pipe carry it to the footing drain, a sump or daylight. Without a drain, a deep well becomes a pool against the window.
Related: New window installation · Window replacement · Basement finishing · All siding, windows and doors
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.