Egress Window Cost: $2,500–$5,898 (Average $4,244) in 2026

Why does an egress window cost so much?

The price mainly comes down to whether the window sits above or below grade, and how much foundation work is required. A typical installed egress window costs $2,500 to $5,898, averaging around $4,244 nationally (Angi’s average and high end; the $2,500 low end comes from Fixr). Above-grade windows in a bedroom, living room, or attic are the cheapest option, with This Old House pricing custom units there at $1,400 to $4,500. Below-grade basement installs cost significantly more — $3,000 to $7,500 (This Old House) — because they require cutting through the foundation, excavating for a window well, and often adding drainage. Angi’s size-based breakdown shows the same pattern: a minimum-code 24x36 in. opening runs $2,500 to $4,000 installed, while a larger 36x60 in. opening reaches $5,000 to $8,500. On the low end, a simple above-grade prefab job can run as little as $700; on the high end, a complex custom basement install with excavation can exceed $9,600 to $12,000 (Angi, HomeGuide).

What affects the cost?

A few factors explain most of the spread between a $2,500 job and a $9,000+ one:

• Above-grade vs. below-grade. Basement installs need foundation cutting and a window well; above-grade bedroom or attic windows don’t, which keeps them cheaper (This Old House).
• Window size. Code requires at least a 5.7 sq ft net clear opening (20 in. wide, 24 in. high), but larger openings for more light cost more — Angi’s table jumps from $2,500-$4,000 for a minimum-size window to $5,000-$8,500 for a 36x60 in. opening.
• Foundation type. Cutting through poured concrete takes longer and costs more than cutting a concrete block wall (HomeGuide).
• Window well material. Metal wells run $200 to $600, plastic $250 to $800, and concrete $750 to $2,500 (Angi).
• Permits and inspections. Most municipalities require a permit, typically $150 to $500, plus a possible $50 to $300 inspection fee (Angi).
• Drainage. A drainage system to keep the well from flooding adds $500 to $4,000 depending on the source (Angi, HomeGuide).
• Prefab vs. custom. Prefab units are ready-made and cheaper; custom-sized or custom-shaped windows cost more (Fixr).
• Labor complexity. A standard job takes 16 to 24 hours, but rerouting plumbing or electrical, or working a hard-to-access site, can push labor past 40 hours (Angi).

How to lower your egress window cost

• Choose a standard prefab size instead of a custom one. Sticking to a minimum-code 24x36 in. opening keeps you at the low end of Angi’s size table ($2,500-$4,000) instead of the $6,000+ custom range.
• Compare window well materials. A metal well ($200-$600) costs far less than concrete ($750-$2,500) and still meets code (Angi).
• Get multiple quotes if you’re below grade. Basement installs have the widest cost spread ($3,000-$7,500, This Old House), so foundation-cutting and excavation labor rates are worth shopping around.
• Handle interior finishing yourself. Drywall, trim, and paint around the new opening can add $300 to $1,200 (Angi) — doing that work yourself trims the total.
• Don’t skip the permit to save money. Permit and inspection fees ($150-$500 per Angi) are small relative to the cost of failing an inspection or having to redo non-compliant work.
• Ask whether a drainage system is really needed. Site grading and soil type affect this; in well-draining locations you may not need the full $500-$4,000 drainage add-on.

Prices vary by region, foundation type, and how much excavation your site needs, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. Get two or three local quotes, and confirm whether the estimate includes permits, the window well, and interior finishing, before committing to a final number.