A typical egress window installation in Toronto takes one to two days and costs $4,500–$8,000, covering the concrete cut, window unit, steel window well, excavation, drainage, waterproofing and backfill — and it must meet Ontario Building Code 9.9.10.1 exit requirements to count as a legal bedroom egress.
What's Included in a Standard Egress Window Install
Every egress window project from Egress Window Pros Toronto includes:
- Free site evaluation and a written quote within 48 hours
- Excavation down to the foundation, with spoils removed from the property
- Diamond-core cutting and removal of the concrete foundation section
- A new window unit sized to meet OBC 9.9.10.1 clear-opening requirements
- A welded steel window well anchored to the foundation
- Gravel base and drainage connection so the well doesn't become a sump
- Waterproofing membrane on all cut edges and the surrounding wall
- Backfill with granular stone, not heavy clay, to prevent frost heave
- Regrading so surface water drains away from the house
- Full cleanup and debris removal
- 10-year workmanship warranty
Permit filing is handled by the homeowner, but we provide the measurements, drawings and inspection scheduling required by Toronto Building.
Egress Window Installation Pricing
Typical Toronto-area pricing for 2025:
- New egress window installation: $4,500–$8,000
- Window well installation only: $800–$2,500
- Window well covers: $300–$900
- Window well drainage and waterproofing: $500–$3,000
- Basement waterproofing: from $1,200
- Window well replacement and repair: $500–$2,000
The final number depends on foundation thickness, soil conditions, depth below grade, access for equipment, and the window size needed to pass the fire code. A typical 24-inch-high concrete block foundation in a 1950s Toronto house costs less to cut than a 12-inch poured foundation on a newer build. We quote a firm number after the site visit — no surprises when the concrete saw shows up.
The Step-by-Step Egress Window Installation Process
Step 1: Site evaluation and measuring.
We walk the basement, confirm the room is below grade, and measure the rough opening against OBC 9.9.10.1. The code requires a clear opening of at least 0.35 m², with no dimension smaller than 380 mm and a sill no higher than 1,000 mm above the finished floor. If the window well is deep enough, it also needs a fixed ladder or steps. We verify all of it before anything is booked.
Step 2: Permits and code check.
Toronto requires a building permit for any work that cuts the foundation. We itemize the code requirements, verify the well location against property lines and setbacks, and give you the information your permit application needs. The city inspection happens at the end; we coordinate the timing.
Step 3: Excavation.
The crew digs down to the outside face of the foundation, usually 1.2 to 2 metres deep depending on your basement depth. In GTA clay, the hole is shored or battered back so the wall doesn't collapse and the footing stays protected. The window well sits below the surrounding grade, so the excavation is dug wide enough for drainage stone and future access.
Step 4: Cutting the foundation.
A diamond blade concrete saw cuts the opening through the foundation wall. The concrete plug is removed in sections, the exposed rebar is cut back and coated, and the edges are ground smooth. Dust is contained; in finished basements, we protect your floors and furniture before cutting starts.
Step 5: Drainage and gravel base.
A layer of clear stone goes in the bottom of the well, sitting above the footing. In most Toronto installations, a drainage pipe connects the well to the existing perimeter weeping tile, so water that collects in the well moves away instead of sitting against the window. This step is what keeps a below-grade window from leaking during the city's freeze-thaw springs.
Step 6: Window installation.
The window goes into the opening, is shimmed level and square, and is anchored to the concrete with masonry screws. Expanding closure foam fills the gap around the frame, and a vapour barrier seals the interior side. The window is sized and installed so the clear opening meets the minimum dimensions from the finished floor — not from the concrete floor slab.
Step 7: Window well installation.
The welded steel well is positioned over the excavation and anchored to the foundation wall. It's finished with a flange that is sealed against the concrete so water runs down the outside face of the well instead of behind it. If the well depth exceeds code limits, a securable ladder or step system is installed inside so an adult can climb out without help.
Step 8: Waterproofing.
The cut face of the foundation and the surrounding wall get a waterproofing membrane. Where the well meets the concrete, the joint is sealed with a flexible, below-grade sealant that stays flexible through Toronto's winter temperatures. The backfill is then placed in lifts — granular stone, not the clay that was dug out — and compacted so it doesn't settle and slope back toward the house.
Step 9: Backfill and grading.
The top 15–20 cm of soil is graded away from the foundation, and any stripped sod is replaced. This prevents surface water from running down against the new well and into the excavation.
Step 10: Final inspection and walkthrough.
The city inspector verifies the window, well and ladder against the permit and OBC 9.9.10.1. We walk the basement with you, confirm the window opens and locks, and hand over your 10-year workmanship warranty.
Why Toronto Homeowners Choose Egress Window Pros
We're a family-run basement contractor with 12 years of below-grade work and more than 400 egress windows and window wells installed across the GTA. Every install is done by our own crew — not subcontracted to a general labourer — and every crew member is covered under our WSIB policy.
Three things separate our work from a general contractor's:
- OBC compliance is guaranteed. We size every opening to 9.9.10.1 before the saw starts. If the city flags it, we fix it at no cost.
- We install year-round. Toronto winters don't stop us. The drainage design and cold-weather waterproofing materials account for the freeze-thaw cycle, so an install done in January stays dry in the March melt.
- The warranty covers the install, not just the window. The 10-year workmanship warranty covers the concrete cut, waterproofing and well installation. The window itself carries the manufacturer's own warranty.
You'll also get a straight answer on whether your project is worth doing — some Toronto basements with shallow footings or heavy water tables don't want a window cut into them, and we'll tell you that before we take a deposit.
Get Your Free Egress Window Quote
If your basement needs a legal, code-compliant egress window, start with a free site evaluation. We'll measure the room, check the foundation, review the water drainage, and get a firm quote back to you within 48 hours. Call (416) 555-0199 to book the walkthrough.