How To Install A Window Well Cover

How Much Does Window Well Installation Cost?

Window wells are an oftentimes disregarded, but very of import, part of protecting the interior of your basement. If you take h2o leaking into your basement, the problem may be caused past your window well or lack thereof. Whether you don't have window wells installed around your basement egress windows or demand your existing ones replaced, you may be wondering how much it costs.

At that place are several factors that impact the toll of installing or replacing window wells, such as the blazon and size of the egress window, and the material of both the window well and the window well encompass. If you only need to install or replace a window well, you're looking at spending between $500 and $1,000 – this covers the toll of regrading, materials, and connecting the drainage.

The average cost to install a window well is $750, and each boosted window well comprehend costs $45. Homeowners spend an average of $75 per cubic yard for excavation during window well installation. Information technology costs $400 per window, on average, to install new window wells, and permits cost $100.

Continue reading for our comprehensive guide on window well installation costs, then yous can accept a more well-rounded understanding of how to properly budget for this home improvement projection.

What Are Window Wells & How Do They Work?

If your home has a basement with windows that sit either below or at ground level, information technology's likely that y'all already have window wells. A window well is a semi-round plastic or ribbed metal production that is available at about home comeback centers. It is designed to fit effectually your basement windows, allowing enough space between the surrounding earth and the window for light to reach the interior of your basement.

In many cases, window wells are required as an emergency point of egress. Many homeowners are unaware of how important it is that window wells are installed properly, as they play an important role in draining rainwater abroad from your foundation. But, how practise window wells attain this?

The installation process of window wells begins with the earth being excavated around the window. Typically, a hole is dug about 1 foot underneath the base of the window sill. Before the window well can be installed, you (or your contractor) must consider drainage. To avoid this behemothic hole at the side of your house from collecting water, you take a couple of options.

Window wells are normally filled with a layer of gravel to aid in drainage. It'south very common for the gravel to cover a weeping tile drain that is connected to your foundation'south perimeter bleed. This serves as an boosted rubber measure to prevent water from collecting in the well and possibly resulting in cracks and leaks in the windows.

Window Well Installation Toll Overview

The installation of a window well is much more than just excavating the area around your basement windows. It involves protecting the infinite using plastic, metallic, or masonry to prevent droppings from falling in, connecting a drainage system, then covering it with a layer of gravel. This will assist keep h2o away from both your foundation and windows.

There are a number of factors that influence the price of installing or replacing a window well, including the size and type of egress window, and the material of both the window well itself and the window well embrace. If you're just looking to have the window well installed or replaced, you can await to pay between $500 and $ane,000. This covers the materials, regrading required for the project, and the connection of the drainage.

Whereas, installing the egress window is more expensive since information technology requires the contractor to cut into your foundation and install the frame. In some cases, the toll could be five times the amount of standard window well installation. Hiring a professional person to cut open a wall in your basement, construct a window well, and install the egress window is going to cost an boilerplate of $2,500.

However, the exact cost of window well installation volition depend on the complexity of the project and could cost you as piffling as $500 or as much as $8,000.

Boilerplate Cost	$2,500
Depression End Toll	$500
High End Cost	$8,000

Window Well Excavation Toll

Most basements require a below-grade installation for egress windows. In this case, your contractor has to cut into your foundation or concrete wall in order to dig a window well. The cost to excavate the space for a window well typically ranges from $fifty to $100 per cubic yard. For each window well, you lot'll need about ane to 1.v cubic yards.

Window Well Cover Costs

Depending on the situation, you may or may non demand a window well embrace. Regardless, a comprehend is beneficial for keeping snow, pelting, droppings, and pests out of your window well and away from your domicile'due south foundation. These covers besides help prevent people or animals from falling into the window well and criminals from gaining easy outside admission to your domicile.

Window well covers come in a range of sizes, materials, styles, and shapes. The cost to install a window well varies based on the specific product that yous choose. Window well covers price between $20 and $120 depending on the size of the egress window, while the toll to hire a professional person for the installation volition range from $40 to $l per cover.

With that said, a standard quality translucent window well cover for a standard-sized, u-shaped window well costs nigh $100, including professional installation.

Egress Window Prices

Egress windows look and office identical to nearly other types of windows, with the only difference being that the opening has to be large enough to climb out of your basement in case of an emergency. These windows come in a wide variety of styles and sizes to fit your dwelling house and range in price from $100 to $700 per window.

When choosing an egress window for your basement, the product must have an opening of at least five square feet, not including the frame. In add-on to the size of the window, the toll can vary based on how it opens and the specific dimensions.

Cost of Egress Windows past Type

The table below outlines the price of egress windows based on the specific type, with each having its own private benefits.

Type of Egress Window	Boilerplate Toll
Casement	$200 to $500
Horizontal/ Sliding	$150 to $700
Single-Hung	$100 to $400
Double-Hung	$250 to $500
In-Swing	$350 to $700

Single-hung egress window models could cost equally little equally $100 a window. Even so, if you opt for an in-swing or sliding style, y'all'll pay closer to $700 a window. With that said, here are some benefits of the almost popular types of egress windows:

Casement: These windows open up via a paw-crank, assuasive for a sufficient level of fresh air.
Horizontal/ Sliding: This type of egress window slides open to either the right or left, and is ideal for rooms that have narrow window wells.
Single-Hung: Single-hung egress windows open vertically on one side and are the nearly common pick available.
Double-Hung: These windows open top and bottom and are ideal for hotter climates.
In-Swing: This blazon of egress window opens inward and is an excellent choice for older basements that have small-scale window openings.

Window Glass Quality

The quality of the window glass also determines how much yous'll pay per window. For example, double-paned windows usually range from $200 to $500 a window. This choice is the most common equally they are reasonably priced and relatively effective at blocking both drafts and noise.

Single-paned units, on the other hand, typically cost a chip less while triple-paned price more. Boosted features, such as low-E coating may add an extra 10% to the total. Have a look at these twenty exterior window trim ideas.

Custom vs. Pre-Fabricated Egress Windows

Whether the egress window is a pre-fabricated model or custom-fabricated is also going to bear upon cost. Depending on the blazon, pre-fabricated egress windows unremarkably cost between $100 to $500 a window. Meanwhile, custom sizes range from $500 to $700 a window.

Cost to Install Basement Egress Window

The cost to have an egress installed in your basement usually runs from $100 to $250 a window, not including the price of materials. This toll range assumes that the room already has the necessary opening of the right size for the window, along with an existing window well. Add together an additional $500 to $2,000 for the window well replacement.

Additional Services

Earthworks a hole into your foundation to install an egress window and a window well is a specialist chore that must exist washed properly in gild to avoid compromising the structural integrity of your abode. With that said, you may need to budget for the following services:

Average cost to hire a structural engineer: $500
Average cost to rent a land surveyor: $500
Average cost to hire an electrician: $350

Basement Egress Window Requirements

Brand sure that you keep the following requirements from the International Residential Lawmaking regarding egress windows in mind when you are planning out the installation of your window well:

The window well must project at least 36 inches from the business firm, including a footprint of 9 square feet.
The minimum opening for the window must be 5 square anxiety, not including the frame.
The minimum size of the window must be 20 inches wide and 24 inches high.
The minimum sill height must be 44 inches.
For windows installed under decks, they must be at to the lowest degree 35 inches high.
Ladders are required for window wells more than 44 inches deep.

DIY vs. Professional person Window Well Installation

When it comes to window well installation, hiring a professional is almost always the best choice. This particular job isn't something that the average homeowner can usually tackle, as improper installation can cause leaking or flooding in below-grade basements during humidity or heavy rainstorms.

Non to mention, poor grading tin result in the window well trapping water. This h2o that sits in the window well volition exert force on the windows, leading to cracks, leaks, and potentially water getting into your living spaces. Familiarize yourself with the standard window sizes as y'all plan your window well installation.

If yous're searching for professional window well installers make sure that y'all collect at to the lowest degree three quotes. This is not just the all-time way to determine the actual cost of window well installation, it may also atomic number 82 to a lower price. Since this is such a competitive industry, you lot may exist able to negotiate a lower charge per unit for labor.