What makes a window "egress"
The residential code requires an emergency escape opening in every sleeping room: generally at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, a sill no higher than 44 inches off the floor, and a window well big enough to climb out of. Your local construction official has the final say, and we design to meet it.
How we install one
- Locate utilities and check the property line and setbacks.
- Excavate outside and saw-cut the foundation wall.
- Frame and waterproof the opening, install the window, and set a drained window well with a ladder or steps.
- Finish the interior trim and schedule the inspection.
Why it matters
A legal bedroom can add real value at appraisal. It also makes a basement safe for a teenager, an in-law, or a guest, and brings in daylight that makes the whole space feel less like a basement.
Typical cost
Most egress windows run $5,000 to $8,000 each, installed with a drained well. Poured-concrete walls, tight lot lines, or rock can push that higher.
Use the basement cost calculator →
Questions about basement bedrooms & egress windows
Can you put an egress window in a poured concrete foundation?
Yes. We saw-cut poured concrete and block foundations. Poured walls take a little longer and cost a bit more.
Will an egress window leak?
Not when the well is drained properly and the opening is waterproofed. We tie the well drain into the footing drain or a dry well, and add a well cover if you want one.