Basement egress window installation
A complete new escape opening: dig, cut, set the window, anchor the well and finish the inside.
Most basements in the Bismarck area were built with small hopper or slider windows set high on the wall, or with no window at all on some sides. Those openings rarely meet the size an escape window needs. A new egress installation replaces that with a properly sized opening that someone can climb out of, and a well that gives them room to do it.
What's included in a typical job?
- Locating the opening so it clears beams, ducts, plumbing and the electrical panel
- Calling in utility locates before digging
- Excavating outside the wall and protecting the yard
- Cutting the concrete or removing block, and reinforcing the opening
- Setting and sealing the window, usually a casement or a large slider
- Installing the well, drainage rock, and a ladder if needed
- Backfilling, grading away from the house, and interior trim or a wrapped return
Which window style works best?
| Style | How it opens | Egress fit |
|---|---|---|
| Casement | Cranks outward on a side hinge | Nearly the whole frame opens, so the smallest wall cut usually works |
| Slider | One sash slides sideways | Only half opens, so the frame has to be wider |
| Single hung | Bottom sash slides up | Only half opens, so the frame has to be taller |
A casement that swings out needs a well deep enough from the wall for the sash to open fully, which is one more reason well size matters.
Poured wall or block wall?
Poured concrete is cut with a large diamond saw, usually from both sides, with water to control dust. Block walls are opened by removing courses and filling or capping the cut cores. Either way, a wide new opening can need a header or other reinforcement. Ask how the installer will support the wall above the cut.
What affects the price?
- Wall type and thickness
- How deep the sill sits below grade
- Window style, size and glazing
- Well material and size, and whether a ladder is needed
- Obstacles like decks, sidewalks, AC units or meters
- Interior finishing around the new opening
The installer prices the job after seeing the wall, the yard and what's on the other side of the foundation. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point until someone has measured.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How long does an egress window install take?
Many single-window jobs take one to two days on site, depending on the wall, the digging and the weather. Ask the installer for a schedule when you get the quote.
Will cutting the foundation weaken my house?
A properly sized and reinforced opening is routine work. The installer should explain how the wall above the cut will be supported, and the permit review may ask for details.
Related services
- Enlarging an existing basement window
- Window wells, ladders and drainage
- Window well covers
- Bedroom egress code compliance
More background: Bismarck egress window guide.
Finishing the basement or adding a bedroom down there?
Call now and a local egress installer will look at the wall, the yard and the code requirements, then quote the job.