An egress window costs $2,621 to $5,898 per window in 2026
An egress window costs $2,621 to $5,898 per window in 2026, and the average is about $4,216. Angi lists an average of $4,244, with most homeowners paying $2,723 to $5,898. This Old House lists $4,216 on average. Bob Vila lists $4,129. Below ground windows cost the most because of digging, a window well and drainage. Size, permits and the wall type also change the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Angi | Angi lists a 2026 national average of $4,244 per window, with most homeowners paying $2,723 to $5,898. |
| This Old House | This Old House lists an average of $4,216 per window, with a typical range of $2,718 to $5,878. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists a national average of $4,129, with a range of $2,621 to $5,662. |
Egress window price by size and location
| Size or location | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 by 36 inch window, meets minimum code | $2,500 to $4,000 | Angi |
| 30 by 48 inch window | $3,500 to $6,000 | Angi |
| 36 by 60 inch window | $5,000 to $8,500 | Angi |
| Bedroom, above ground, prefab | $900 to $3,000 | This Old House |
| Basement, below ground, prefab | $2,500 to $5,000 | This Old House |
| Basement, below ground, custom | $3,000 to $7,500 | This Old House |
| Window well, metal or concrete | $200 to $2,500 | Angi |
| Permits and inspections | $150 to $500 | Angi |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Window size | Angi lists $2,500 to $4,000 for a 24 by 36 inch window and $5,000 to $8,500 for a 36 by 60 inch window. |
| Location | Below ground windows cost more. This Old House lists $2,500 to $5,000 for a prefab basement window and $900 to $3,000 for a bedroom. |
| Window well | Angi lists metal wells at $200 to $600 and concrete wells at $750 to $2,500. Drainage can add $500 to $2,000. |
| Digging and cutting | This Old House lists excavation and well work at $3,000 to $7,000. Bob Vila lists $1,500 to $3,000 for jobs with excavation. |
| Permits and labor | Angi lists permits at $150 to $500 and labor at $50 to $120 per hour. Most installs take 16 to 24 hours. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers the window, the labor, the opening cut and a basic finish. Extra costs often include the window well, drainage, a well cover, permits and inside or outside finish work. Angi lists drainage at $500 to $2,000, covers at $50 to $500 and finish work at $300 to $1,200. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Most egress windows are not a DIY job. Cutting through a foundation wall can harm the structure if it is done wrong, and the opening must meet code for size and height. Angi says most towns need permits and inspections. A pro also handles the window well and the drainage. A handy homeowner may swap a window in an existing opening above ground. For any job below ground, hire a licensed pro, ask to see proof of a license and ask for a written quote that lists every part.
How to tell you need it
You need an egress window when a bedroom or a basement room has no safe way out in a fire. Building codes require an escape opening for sleeping rooms. If you plan to finish a basement or add a bedroom, you will likely need one. A small or painted shut window may not meet the size rules. Ask your local building office for the rules.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote includes the window well, drainage and a cover.
- Check that the window size meets your local code for an exit.
- Ask who pulls the permit and what it costs.
- Ask if digging, concrete cutting and finish work are in the price.
- Compare the total with the range above: $2,621 to $5,898 per window for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose a casement or a standard prefab window. This Old House lists prefab basement windows at $2,500 to $5,000, below $3,000 to $7,500 for custom.
- Pick the smallest size that meets code. Angi lists the 24 by 36 inch size at $2,500 to $4,000, which meets the minimum code.
- Install more than one window in one visit. This can share the setup and digging costs across jobs.
- Choose a metal or plastic window well. Angi lists metal at $200 to $600 and plastic at $250 to $800, versus concrete at $750 to $2,500.
- Get three quotes and ask for permit costs in writing. Angi lists permits at $150 to $500.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Egress windows cost more in 2026 because skilled labor, concrete cutting and window materials cost more.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Angi, This Old House and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an egress window cost?
It costs about $2,621 to $5,898 per window in 2026. Angi lists an average of $4,244. This Old House lists $4,216.
How much does a basement egress window cost?
This Old House lists $2,500 to $5,000 for a prefab window below ground and $3,000 to $7,500 for custom. Digging and wells add to the cost.
How much does a window well cost?
Angi lists metal wells at $200 to $600, plastic at $250 to $800 and concrete at $750 to $2,500.
Do I need a permit?
Most towns require one. Angi lists permits and inspections at $150 to $500 in total.
Does an egress window add value?
Angi says an egress window returns an average of 50% to 75% of its cost. The gain is largest when it turns a basement into a legal bedroom.