The Average Cost to Remove & Install a Basement Window

General Information

• Basement windows vary from small windows placed near the ceiling of the basement to larger egress windows. The size and complexity of an egress window installation increases the cost significantly in comparison to smaller basement windows. Building codes might dictate the acceptable size for your basement window and could require that you use a larger window than the one you intended to install. If a bedroom is in the basement, you might be required to install an egress window to have a legal unit.

Materials

• The materials you need for an egress window will run about $500, as of the date of publication. These materials include the window, lumber, a moisture barrier, caulk, insulation and concrete mix. If you don't own a circular saw, you might need to rent one, which will increase the cost. The cost of a non-egress basement window depends on the thickness of the pane you choose, the trim and how energy-efficient the windows are.

Installation

• A non-egress basement window costs about $100 to $500 to install, as of the date of publication. The installation alone for an egress window by a contractor typically costs between $2,000 and $3,000, according to a 1998 article in Popular Mechanics. A complex job or a job that requires the installer to re-frame around the window will increase the cost of the job. The cost to remove the old basement window is typically included in this cost.

Considerations

• As with any home improvement project, labor rates vary across the country. Get multiple quotes before you commit to a contract. You might be required to get a permit before installing the basement window, which will add to the cost. You might also require the addition of a basement well, which is a small area on the outside of your home that provides an escape route from the basement in case of an emergency. If you require a basement well, you will need to dig out the area and you must ensure that no power, telephone or sewer lines or pipes are in the ground before you begin the project. A basement well cover can cost less than $100, but customized options can be double or triple that amount.