Egress Window Cost

Your egress window cost will depend on several factors. First off, is the egress window going in a bedroom or a basement? Second, what window type are you hoping to install? And finally, if the window is going in the basement, do you need to excavate a window well or do other demolition/labor to meet egress requirements?

Let’s take a look at each of those factors and how they impact cost.

Egress Window Definition

An egress window is designed for homeowners and/or first responders to easily get in and out of. They are required for bedrooms as well as basements that have been converted into a living area or bedroom.

Our egress window guide covers everything from requirements to window types in more depth.

How Much Does an Egress Window Cost?

The national average cost to install an egress window on a home falls between $1,000 and $5,000 total per window in the U.S.

The type, size, material, requirements, and local cost of labor of the egress window you are installing will impact the overall price. For example, casement egress windows tend to cost on the lower end.

Labor cost to install an egress window will be an additional $70 to $150 per hour on average for most window types. Also keep in mind that the average cost to replace or install windows will always depend on where you live.

Egress Windows

Average Installation Cost $1,000 - $5,000

Cost Breakdown

• Materials 66.7%
• Labor 33.3%

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In addition to the egress window installation cost itself, there are some other costs to be aware of:

Excavation

Your egress window basement cost will grow substantially if the exterior of your home has to be excavated first. If you are simply expanding an existing window, your costs will be lower. If the land around your home needs to be excavated for the window installation, you’re looking at an additional cost of between $1,500 and $3,000 per window. This part of the job can be expensive because it requires that pros avoid plumbing that might be installed around your home.

Window Removal

Professionals will charge about $200 to remove an existing window, if needed.

Permits

There is also a cost for the permit for the window project, which typically ranges from $50 to $200. A typical breakdown requires anywhere from $100 to $700 in materials per window plus up to $250 in labor per window.

Window Well Installation

If required in your area, adding a window well to your egress window will cost extra. The cost depends on the size, material, and depth of the well. A basic window well can cost between $100 and $500, while a more decorative well can cost closer to $500 to $2,000 or more.

Opening Reinforcement

Your egress window may require a professional to reinforce the opening. If needed, this can cost an additional $50 to $500 per window.

Simple projects will last one or two days while more complicated projects might take three or four days. Keep this in mind when it comes to factoring labor costs. Ask your pro for an estimate before beginning the work.

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Egress Window: Basement Cost vs Bedroom Cost

The cost difference between a basement egress window and a bedroom egress window can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. On average, basement egress windows can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 or more, while bedroom egress windows may range from $2,500 to $5,000 or higher, depending on the factors mentioned above.

The bottom line here is that in most cases, replacing or installing an egress window in the bedroom is going to be cheaper than the cost of an egress window for your basement.

Here is what to know when evaluating cost for egress window installation.

Basement Egress Windows Cost

Basement egress windows typically require cutting into the foundation, which can add to the complexity and cost of the installation. Excavation may be necessary to create a well outside the window to provide a safe escape route.

Expanding a window’s height tends to be a little more affordable than expanding a window’s width since you are less likely to run into support beams and other important structural elements. Few basement windows will already have the right size opening width (20 inches) to meet egress.

Additionally, a basement window installation may require extra measures to address waterproofing. All of this can impact how much an egress window is.

Bedroom Egress Windows Cost

Bedroom egress windows are required for every bedroom in your home. Access in and out of these windows is more straightforward compared to basement windows. Depending on the floor level and exterior wall structure, bedroom egress windows may still involve cutting into the wall, but they generally do not require excavation or dealing with the complexities of the foundation.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are cases where the difference in bedroom and basement egress window cost will not apply. Replacement egress windows, for example, will already have the excavation and heavy labor completed. That means egress window replacement cost will be the same regardless of where in the house your window is going.

Similarly, if your basement already has a completed window well, then your basement egress window installation cost will not be as high as it would be in a home that needs a brand new window well installed.

What Else Impacts Egress Window Pricing?

Outside of whether the window is going in a basement or bedroom as well as if you are installing an egress window or simply replacing one, the following items will impact your egress window cost:

• Window size. Though there are minimum size requirements for egress windows, there is no maximum. The bigger the window, the more it will cost.
• Window type. There are several egress window types to choose from.
• Frame material. From vinyl to fiberglass, you can pick from a range of options, some of which are more expensive than others.
• Glass type. Double-paned windows will cost less than triple-paned windows, but will also not be as insulating. You can also get low-E glass or other upgrades to improve your window’s energy efficiency.

Egress Window Installation and Final Costs

Once you’ve decided to add an egress window, it’s time to install them. Here’s what you can expect.

• Your contractor will begin by clearing the landscaping around the outside of your home where the window is to be installed.
• A window well will be installed, which gives the window space to open fully. If the well is more than 44 inches deep, there will be an egress ladder or a set of egress stairs to help climb up out of it.
• A pro will pull a permit for your new window which will typically cost between $50 and $200 depending on where you live.
• A typical installation will take about two days, while a more complicated project might take three or four days.

If you are ready to get quotes on your egress window project, Modernize can match you with up to four vetted egress window installers to help save you time and research.

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