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We want to get a single non-conforming basement window converted to a conforming egress window, so we're looking for some good references to check out. This will actually be a project for some time in the spring, but I want to get some estimates now so we can figure out how much money we need to squirrel away for the project. The one estimate I got already was for $3800, which seemed a tad high to me.
Thanks.
DIY. Dig rent a saw. A friend has done a couple of them himself.
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$3,800 seems about on par from the limited similar things I've seen, which was digging down 6 feet to access a broken water supply line.
$3800 is stupid high. You dig the hole for free and have a concrete cutting company cut the foundation. I bet you could cut that in half. When calling for estimates, tell them that the hole is already dug and see what they quote you.
Yeah, if additional estimates average out around that $3800 range I will definitely look into doing some part of it myself. There's already a standard window well in place, so I think I'd need to dig a couple of feet deeper. Not sure what distance is required horizontally from the window outward though, but there's some fairly new concrete there providing a critical drainage function, so hopefully I would be able to preserve most of that.
Thanks for the tips so far. Will still follow up with any referrals to a profession though.
Call Broomfield building code department and they will tell you exactly what is required.
I don't have pictures, but my friend did his - dug down, rented the saw and cut the walls. As for the egress part, he just used the landscaping wall blocks, tapered them out and they were the steps to egress out of the window. He didn't use any pre-made style window well etc. It makes things a little bit bigger than needed, but no ladder required etc.
Pro-Saw
Prosawinc.net
So, is this thing done yet? or do you still need the thing?
I looked into doing one about 3 years ago, Permits & Engineering is involved if you cut into the Foundation. I decided to just replace the Window with one that would pass code & have my Landscaper enlarge & build a Railroad Tie Window Well.