In Toronto, an egress window installation runs $4,500 to $8,000, and a complete project including the window well runs $5,300 to $10,500. The window itself is $4,500 to $8,000; the window well adds $800 to $2,500; drainage, covers, or waterproofing are separate line items. That price range isn’t a quoting tactic — it reflects real differences in foundation type, how deep below grade the window sits, soil conditions in your part of the GTA, and whether you’re enlarging an existing opening or cutting a brand-new one. Below is the full breakdown so you can see exactly where the money goes before you ask for a quote.
What Determines the Price
No two Toronto basements are the same, and that’s what creates the $3,500 spread on the base installation. The main cost drivers are:
- Foundation type. Poured concrete takes more time and diamond-core cutting than concrete block. Older Toronto homes with brick or rubble foundations require extra prep and repair work.
- Depth below grade. A window that sits 2 feet below grade is a much faster job than one that sits 4 feet down. The deeper the cut, the more excavation, soil removal, and backfill are needed.
- Existing opening vs. new cut. Widening and reinforcing an old basement window opening is often less expensive than cutting a fresh hole through the foundation wall.
- Soil and drainage conditions. Toronto’s dense clay holds water and shifts with freeze-thaw cycles. If your window well needs drainage tied into the weeping tile system, that increases the cost.
- Access. Townhouses with narrow side yards, rear-only access, or obstructions near the work area add labour time. This is a real cost factor across central Toronto and the downtown core.
- Permits and inspections. We confirm on-site whether Toronto Building requires a permit for your project before we quote. Where a permit is required, we build it into the process.
Egress Window Cost Breakdown
These are the typical installed prices we quote in the GTA. All pricing includes labour, materials, and site cleanup.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Egress window installation (complete: cutting, window, lintel, waterproofing, backfill) | $4,500 – $8,000 |
| Window well installation (galvanized steel or polymer) | $800 – $2,500 |
| Window well cover (clear or aluminum) | $300 – $900 |
| Window well drainage & waterproofing | $500 – $3,000 |
| Basement waterproofing (interior or exterior) | From $1,200 |
| Window well replacement & repair | $500 – $2,000 |
A full egress system — window plus well, drainage, and cover — typically lands between $5,600 and $11,400. If you’re only converting an existing basement window to meet Ontario Building Code exit requirements, you may not need all the extras, and your quote will reflect that.
What’s Included in Your Quote
When we give you a fixed quote for an egress window installation, it covers the complete below-grade system, not just the window frame. The scope includes:
- Diamond-core cutting of the concrete foundation
- Steel lintel installation where required to support the load above the opening
- A made-to-measure egress window that meets OBC 9.9.10.1 exit requirements (minimum 0.38 m² clear opening, no dimension less than 380 mm, and sill no more than 1,000 mm above the finished floor)
- A new window well sized so the window opens fully, with a permanently attached ladder or steps if the well extends more than 1,000 mm below grade
- Gravel drainage base and connection to the existing drainage system where applicable
- Waterproofing membrane repair around the new opening
- Backfill and compaction
- Debris removal from your property
- WSIB-covered labour and a 10-year workmanship warranty
You’ll see window well covers and waterproofing listed as separate line items because not every homeowner needs them on day one. We’ll tell you honestly whether your project requires them.
The Process: From Site Evaluation to Finished Window Well
1. Free site evaluation within 48 hours. We come to your home, measure the existing window or the proposed opening, check the foundation type, assess soil conditions, and confirm whether Toronto Building requires a permit.
2. Fixed quote in writing. You get a detailed quote within 48 hours of the visit. The price doesn’t change if we discover standard conditions during the cut.
3. Scheduling that works year-round. Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycle doesn’t stop us. We design drainage and backfill properly so the well sheds water even when the ground is shifting in late winter.
4. Installation in 1 to 2 days. The concrete cut, lintel, window, well, and drainage are completed in a single visit for most projects. Larger or more complex below-grade jobs may take a second day.
5. Final walkthrough and warranty. We review the window operation, check the well drainage, and leave you with your warranty paperwork. Most egress windows are usable the same day.
Why Choose Egress Window Pros Toronto
We’ve been doing below-grade work in the Toronto area for 12 years, and we’ve installed more than 400 egress windows and window wells across the GTA. That experience matters when you’re cutting through a structural foundation — mistakes are expensive and hard to reverse.
- OBC compliant, every time. Every egress we install meets Ontario Building Code 9.9.10.1 exit requirements. If the job needs a permit, we handle it and schedule the inspection.
- Toronto freeze-thaw expertise. Clay soil, shifting frost lines, and seasonal drainage are not surprises to us. Every window well we install is designed to shed water, not hold it.
- Licensed, insured, and WSIB covered. You’re protected on the work site and after the job is done.
- 10-year workmanship warranty. Covers the installation, the seal, and the drainage work we put in place.
- A family-run crew, not a sales funnel. Your quote comes from the same team that does the work. No subcontracted labour, no bait-and-switch pricing.
If you want to know exactly what your Toronto home needs, get the free site evaluation. Call (416) 555-0199 or request a quote online — we’ll confirm the scope, check for OBC compliance, and email your price within 48 hours. No pressure, just a straight answer on what your egress window costs.