Relocating an Egress Window

Reasons

• Changes in your landscaping or home design may make it necessary to relocate an egress window. If you remodel the apartment in your basement and move the bedroom to another location, you may need to move the window, as well. Many times, the egress window must be in the bedroom. Likewise if you build an addition to your home that blocks an egress window, you may need to relocate it. Some egress window wells fill up with water because of yard drainage patterns. Relocating the window can be the solution to this problem.

Process

• The process of moving a basement egress window involves first removing it from its housing in the foundation wall. You'll need to remove the window casing and enclose the opening with new cement blocks. Then you will have to fill in the area with dirt and landscape. On the inside, you will have to drywall and paint. Next, you must create a new opening elsewhere in the basement. This involves digging up the area next to the foundation and making a window. Special drilling and cutting equipment will be needed to create the new window opening. You will have to install a new window, making sure the foundation is tight and secure. Finally, you will have to grade and landscape outside and paint inside.

Considerations

• Relocating an egress window is a complex and expensive operation. Egress windows cost several hundred dollars each, but the equipment and labor to dig up your foundation and install the new window can cost many times that. You'll need to hire an experienced contractor with the right equipment and expertise in foundation work to avoid damaging your home. Although it is possible to relocate an egress window, it should be considered a last resort because of the cost and major work involved.

Avoiding Relocation

• You only need an egress window if your building codes specify that one is required for basement sleeping areas. If you rearrange the basement or remove the downstairs rental unit, your egress window may be unnecessary. Check with your local building department to ensure that you don't relocate an egress window unnecessarily.