Egress windows cost $4,215 on average, but can range between $2,714 and $5,884, depending on materials, permitting, and the amount of windows being installed.
The average egress window cost includes $100 to $700 per window for materials, $100 to $250 per window for installation, and $50 to $300 for a permit. Overall, you could potentially be looking at around $4,215 to install an egress window, which is the average that most people spend on this project. In many areas, adding an egress window will allow you to declare an additional legal bedroom in your basement, boosting your home’s value. It will also provide a secondary exit in an emergency and offer some extra natural light to make your basement a cozy destination.
When it comes time to prep for renovations, explore our guide to egress window costs below.
Getting your basement finished can offer up to a 70% return on your investment, and egress windows are required in every habitable space in a basement per the International Residential Code (IRC).
If you want to install an egress window in every room of your finished basement, such as a bedroom, office, recreation room, and den, you can expect to pay an average of around $3,900. This national average considers many factors, including window type. You can lower the price by sticking with single-hung windows instead of opting for a more fanciful design.
“Before you order a specific size window, check your building code,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Review Board Member and Raleigh, N.C.-based general contractor. “Many municipalities require that egress windows have a minimum opening height, a minimum opening area, and even a maximum height of the window sill from the finished floor.”
According to the IRC, an egress window must be at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide and no more than 44 inches away from the floor. Local building codes may also have additional requirements to follow.
Once you have reviewed the egress window codes for your area, check out our breakdown of how you can expect to spend your money when installing a set of egress windows to your finished basement:
The labor cost to install an egress window is about $40 to $100 per hour, which will work out to about $100 to $1,000 per window. Egress windows are located partially underground, which can make them more challenging to install than windows on the first floor of a home.
In addition to having a window company install the egress window, you may also spend another $350 to $1,000 to hire a land surveyor or structural engineer as well as an electrician if you need to install the window around existing wiring.
Basement egress windows must be, at minimum, 24 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Plus, they have to have at least 5.7 square feet of opening space. Most standard-sized egress windows are around 48 inches tall by 30 inches wide. Larger windows may cost more to install, especially if you need to enlarge an existing window opening, which costs about $200 plus between $50 and $300 for permits.
| Size (in.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 20x24 | $200–$400 |
| 27x45 | $500–$800 |
| 31x41 | $800–$900 |
| 36x48 | $900–$1,200 |
There are many different designs to choose from when hiring a professional to install a below-ground egress window. Here’s how much it will cost to buy different types of egress windows.
| Window Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-hung | $100–$400 |
| Double-hung | $250–$500 |
| Horizontal/sliding | $150–$800 |
| Casement | $200–$500 |
| In-swing | $350–$700 |
This is the most common and least costly window type. Single-hung windows open vertically and will cost anywhere from $100 to $400 per window.
These windows open from the top and bottom and are great for letting some air in, making them a good choice for hotter climates. Double-hung windows cost $250 to $500 per window.
These windows slide open to the left or the right—perfect for those with narrow window wells. Horizontal or sliding windows cost $150 to $800 per window.
This window type opens via a hand crank, giving it a unique aesthetic and offering you an easy way to control airflow. Casement windows cost $200 to $500 per window.
These windows open inward, so they’re an excellent choice for older basements with small window openings. In-swing windows cost $350 to $700 per window.
Modern windows can come with many fun and functional add-ons. The number of panes you choose is one of them. The panes are the layers of glass in your window, and you can choose a window with one, two, or three panes. Most people have two-pane windows, but three-pane windows, which have three layers of glass with gas fill in between each layer, are the most energy-efficient.
| Panes | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $100–$400 |
| 2 | $200–$500 |
| 3 | $300–$800 |
Other features, such as a low-E coating, could add up to ten percent to your overall total. Depending on your location, you may also need to weatherstrip your new windows. Weatherstripping windows costs $130 to $400 per window on average.
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Low-E coating | $300–$1,000 |
| Smart glass | $30–$45 per sq. ft. |
| Blinds and shutters | $600–$2,700 |
| Curtains | $1,800–$3,000 |
If you already have windows in your wall or if there are no pre-existing window holes, you may need to hire a contractor to remove your windows or make holes. Contractors will charge around $700 to cut a window opening into a wall. They typically charge about $200 per unit to remove pre-existing windows.
If you’re looking to resize a current window opening, expect to pay $150 to $200 per opening.
“Before we ever cut into a load-bearing wall, we always bring in a structural engineer to evaluate and produce a report on how the opening will affect the overall structure,” says Tschudi. Keep this in mind, as it will increase your labor costs.
Whenever you’re dealing with a below-ground basement, you’ll encounter residential code requirements for egress windows. You should count on having to pay for a building permit, which will cost $50 to $300. The law may require additional services to get your space up to code.
The cost to hire a land surveyor will be around $500. A structural engineer will cost $500 on average, as well, and an electrician will set you back around $350. Every plot of land is different, so you may not need to bring in all of these experts.
The cost of purchasing and installing an egress window will vary depending on where you live, so it’s essential to speak with a local contractor to get an accurate quote.
For example, installing an egress window on a finished basement will be slightly more expensive in areas close to the water level than in hilly locations that can be excavated easily. Population, material availability, and other factors can also impact the overall cost.
Aside from the size of egress windows, type of glass, and labor costs, there are other factors that can influence the total project cost.
In most cases, you’ll be installing below-ground egress windows since these windows are required in a basement. Installing an egress window below ground adds about $50 to $200 per cubic yard in excavation costs, plus another $50 to $300 for permits.
A primary cost factor will be the windows and frames themselves. Egress windows come in a variety of designs, each of them with its own price range. Prefabricated designs will cost $100 to $500 per unit. Single-hung prefab windows are the most cost-friendly option. Custom designs will cost $500 to $700 per window, depending on the size and type.
Most basements call for a below-ground installation when it comes to egress windows, meaning a contractor will also have to build a window well. These wells are essentially a big hole in the ground directly in front of the window, which your pro will likely line with metal upon completion.
A professional land excavator will charge $50 to $200 per cubic yard to install your window well. Typically, a window well needs 1 to 1.5 cubic yards of space to be compliant with egress codes. You may also need a window well cover to prevent build-up of soil moisture and keep creepy crawlies out, which will cost around $600.
Egress window installation is required for many homes, and it can be an expensive addition to a basement refinishing project. There are many ways to save money on egress window costs, though. Just by shopping around, you can lower how much it costs to put in an egress window.
You should always get at least three quotes from local egress window installers when hiring a pro for a home improvement project. Don’t just jump on the lowest cost, though. Make sure to compare what’s included with each service. You may see a higher cost in one quote, but it could include excavation rates and window customization at a better rate than buying them separately. Be sure to consider the value of each quote before choosing which pro to hire.
If you’re really on a tight budget, you can save money by skipping window extras, like window film, low-E coatings, customized frames, or other decorative features. Just keep in mind that some features could save you more money in the long run by providing more insulation and improving energy efficiency.
Prefabricated windows cost about $200 to $600 less per window compared to customizable options. You can still find plenty of functional and attractive egress window designs at the store without spending extra money to make customizations.
Be sure to shop around at different retailers and window companies for egress windows. Some companies may offer seasonal discounts, holiday sales, or other deals that can save you money. Consider looking for windows around winter, too, when you may find off-season specials.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.
Adding an egress window offers about a 70% return on your investment. But more than adding value to your home, an egress window is required. Once you’ve finished turning your basement into an additional living space or the home gym of your dreams, you have to make sure there is an egress window to meet building codes and keep your household safe in case of an emergency.
Egress windows can be a significant investment, particularly if you’ll need a window well or another type of excavation before the installation. Protect your home’s foundation and the integrity of your finished basement by choosing a reputable and reliable egress window contractor. Perform some research ahead of time to ensure your pro is insured and licensed.
To make sure the excavation and installation process is free from headaches, consider asking your pro if they have insurance first. Be sure to ask how long the project will take and if you will need to hire additional professionals to help excavate the area or handle the electrical wiring in the walls. You may also want to ask for references from previous clients who did similar projects.
An egress window may take about three full workdays to complete. On the first two days, the window company, as well as any additional land surveyors or structural engineers, will need to work on excavating the land around where the egress window will go and cut into the foundational wall to insert the window. If you’re installing multiple egress windows at once, the project will take longer.
