Egress Window

[zoops]

I'd like to have an egress window put into my basement - just curious if anyone in the Bismarck area would recommend someone to do it. Cut the concrete, install the window etc. What can a guy expect to pay? I know it's possible to do yourself but I think I'd like to hire this one out. Thanks!

 

[zoops]

bump

 

[PrairieGhost]

Don't know about Bismarck, but ten years ago it run me $3700. 4X6 window and a 5X7 cedar window well. I have had two done. This one turned out great, but a 2X4 the guy didn't make the window well large enough to open the window. Dumb as a stump. You have to watch contractors. You expect they know what they are doing, but half the time they don't. Twice I have had to take them to court. I won both times easily so that tells you how poor the work was. One I asked and paid for 5 inch concrete and got 3 inch full of cracks and three inches to small. The other kicked the drain tile in a foot above the floor and filled it in.

 

[Obi-Wan]

Edsons Construction - Kevin Nagel 222-8946 226-2145

 

[zoops]

Don't know about Bismarck, but ten years ago it run me $3700. 4X6 window and a 5X7 cedar window well. I have had two done. This one turned out great, but a 2X4 the guy didn't make the window well large enough to open the window. Dumb as a stump. You have to watch contractors. You expect they know what they are doing, but half the time they don't. Twice I have had to take them to court. I won both times easily so that tells you how poor the work was. One I asked and paid for 5 inch concrete and got 3 inch full of cracks and three inches to small. The other kicked the drain tile in a foot above the floor and filled it in.

$3700 for 1 or for both?

 

[Retired Educator]

Not really all that difficult if you have the proper tools. Can't see why anyone would own a concrete saw unless they were in the business so you would have to rent. A small excavator rented would also save you from digging the hole by hand.

If you have a good concrete saw cutting is messy but not all that difficult, especially if the concrete basement is blocks instead of poured. And with poured it depends on how much rebar is in the wall.

While I said it's not all that hard, that is true. But it would be much easier if you had seen it done. Perhaps YouTube would have a video. Building the egress hole outside I thunk is best done with stackable stone. Plan for getting rid of the water that will enter the hole. Another concern, depending on the width of the window you have to plan for header. Any wall that supports a roof is super important. An end wall generally doesn't support as much as a sidewall.

Perhaps it's just easier to hire it done. Any contractor should be able to give you some references, if not, beware.

 

[Obi-Wan]

Why would you hire them the second time didn't you learn your lesson the first time?

Don't know about Bismarck, but ten years ago it run me $3700. 4X6 window and a 5X7 cedar window well. I have had two done. This one turned out great, but a 2X4 the guy didn't make the window well large enough to open the window. Dumb as a stump. You have to watch contractors. You expect they know what they are doing, but half the time they don't. Twice I have had to take them to court. I won both times easily so that tells you how poor the work was. One I asked and paid for 5 inch concrete and got 3 inch full of cracks and three inches to small. The other kicked the drain tile in a foot above the floor and filled it in.

 

[Tim Sandstrom]

Cost me under 2000 to do just last month but I did quite a bit myself. Hired a guy who was willing to be fair and bill strict time and materials. He lined up concrete folks, got the building supplies, framed wall and installed window. I dug the hole, exposed wall to get ready for concrete saw, put Sheetrock and insulation back up and painted after hired guy to texture (I never tape or texture).

I could have probably did more myself but piece of mind and opportunity cost was worth it.

 

[Traxion]

Here it will run you about 4k to put an egress window into a finished basement from start to finish. We have a company that does custom concrete cutting and they do a great job. All hydraulic ran saws, no fumes and stink. And they are chainsaws which work amazing, no dust with the wet system and no mess if you have someone inside with a shop vac. If anyone around you has these tools I would look into it- 100x better than a standard concrete saw.

Good lucK!

 

[dakotaeye29]

I second Edsons. They have been doing it for years.

 

[Retired Educator]

Here it will run you about 4k to put an egress window into a finished basement from start to finish. We have a company that does custom concrete cutting and they do a great job. All hydraulic ran saws, no fumes and stink. And they are chainsaws which work amazing, no dust with the wet system and no mess if you have someone inside with a shop vac. If anyone around you has these tools I would look into it- 100x better than a standard concrete saw.

Good lucK!

I have seen concrete chain saws work. You are correct, they are the cat's meow when used properly. Very neat cut, little mess with shop vac and no dust. Would not suggest someone go out and purchase one just for personal use. They are not cheap but if you are in the business they are worth the money.

 

[REY_off]

The ones that I have seen done, have used the company Advanced Concrete Cutting to cut the basement wall. I've worked with him a number of times when I was working for a contractor back in college. Super Nice guy. Look him up and he can probably point you in the direction of a contractor that he works with to do the rest of the window install.