Basement window replacement costs about $400 to $1,000 a window in 2026
Replacing a basement window costs about $400 to $1,000 per window in 2026 when the new window fits the old hole. Labor is $150 to $600 of that. If you need a bigger egress window for a basement bedroom, the job changes: cutting the wall and digging a well costs about $2,500 to $6,000 per window.
What basement window replacement costs
| Same size swap, per window | $400 to $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Labor, per window | $150 to $600 |
| Ready made window, unit only | $100 to $800 |
| Glass block window, ready made | $100 to $400 |
| Replacing an existing egress window | $300 to $800 |
| New egress window with well | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Egress average, one guide | $3,850 to $4,200 |
| Permit for egress work | $100 to $500 |
A simple swap takes about 2 to 4 hours per window, says Well Expert. An egress job can take 2 or 3 days because of the digging. Sources: Angi, basement window replacement cost (August 2026); EcoWatch, egress windows cost (July 2026); Well Expert, basement window replacement cost guide (April 2026); The Basement Guide, egress window cost (February 2026); HomeBuddy, egress window cost guide (August 2026).
What changes your price
- Same size or bigger. A swap in the same hole is cheap. Cutting a bigger hole in concrete is not.
- Ready made or custom. Custom windows cost more and take longer to arrive.
- Frame material. Vinyl is the cheapest choice.
- Window type. Glass block, sliders and double hung windows all price differently.
- Damage around the window. Rot or cracks in the frame or wall add cost.
- How many windows. Doing several at once costs less per window.
Swap or egress: two very different jobs
Most basement windows come in standard sizes. Angi says that means you can often buy a ready made window for $100 to $800 and pay $150 to $600 per window for labor. If the frame, the wall and the well are fine, this is the whole job.
An egress window is a window big enough for a person to climb out in a fire. Building codes require one when a basement room is used as a bedroom. Well Expert puts this at $2,500 to $6,000 per opening, because the crew must cut the foundation, add support above the opening, dig a well and add a ladder or steps. The Basement Guide puts the 2026 average at about $3,850 to $4,200.
This Old House notes a helpful case. If your old window is a standard 30 to 36 inch utility window, the crew can often just make the hole taller and skip a new support beam. Sources: Angi, basement window replacement cost (August 2026); Well Expert, basement window replacement cost guide (April 2026); The Basement Guide, egress window cost (February 2026); This Old House, egress window cost (June 2026).
Basement windows and water
Many basement windows fail because water pools in the well. If you see damp walls or stains under the window, fixing the window alone may not be enough. See our basement waterproofing page for those costs.
For windows on the upper floors, see our window replacement and Andersen windows pages. If the wall around the window is cracked, see foundation repair.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the quote is for a same size swap or a new egress opening.
- Ask if the window is ready made or custom.
- Ask if sealing and trim are included.
- Compare with $400 to $1,000 per window for a swap, or $2,500 to $6,000 for egress.
- For egress work, ask who pulls the permit.
Ways to pay less
- Pick vinyl frames and ready made sizes where you can.
- Replace several windows at once. Well Expert says it is often about 15 percent cheaper per window.
- Check the federal tax credit. The Basement Guide says it can cover 30 percent, up to $600 a year, for windows that meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient rules.
- Get 3 quotes, and make sure each is for the same window.
- Fix leaks around the window now, before they damage the wall.
How we got these numbers
Window prices depend on the job, so no one posts one national price. The ranges come from 2026 cost guides, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a basement window?
About $400 to $1,000 per window in 2026 when the new window fits the old hole.
How much does an egress window cost?
About $2,500 to $6,000 per window, with cutting, the well and steps.
Do I need a permit to replace a basement window?
Usually not for a same size swap. Egress work often needs one, at about $100 to $500.
How long does basement window replacement take?
About 2 to 4 hours per window for a swap. An egress window can take 2 or 3 days.