Yes, you might be able to install an egress window well yourself if you have a background in construction. For most weekend warriors, it’s a very challenging job. Let’s look at some of the skills and equipment you’ll need for a successful DIY installation.
Adding a Brand New Egress Well
For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume that you’re starting from scratch. Either your basement doesn’t have any windows in that room, or it only has a small buck window.
Step 1: Mark Utilities
Before digging, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not at risk of destroying any utility lines or your underground sprinkler system.
Step 2: Excavation
The next step is to dig down beside your basement wall. Depending on the size of your window well, you will need to excavate about 2 tons of dirt. Since digging a hole that size by hand is out of the question for most people, you’ll need to rent a mini excavator. If you have prior experience with a mini excavator, it’s not too hard. However if you don't have experience, we would not recommend digging next to your home as the ideal way to “practice”.
Step 3: Concrete Cutting
This is easily the dirtiest, nastiest part of installing an egress window well. It involves making a precise cut with a heavy concrete saw. The saw is cooled with water as it cuts, so you’re in a dust cloud that sprays concrete “mud” at you. It is easily the most unpleasant part of the job. If you don’t get this part right, it’s much harder to waterproof your window installation. You could either hire someone for this part of the job, or rent a saw and do it yourself. Just keep in mind that it's more difficult (and dirtier!) than you think.
Step 4: Removing the Concrete Section
Once you have the hole cut for the egress window, the concrete wall section has to be removed from where it sits. Our crew normally pounds it with a sledge hammer until it eventually slides into the window well hole. We then lift it out of the hole with our excavator. A 48” window cutout can weigh about 2000 lbs.
Step 5: Install the Egress Window
If you’re a pretty handy DIYer, this part of the process shouldn’t be too bad. Make sure everything you use between the concrete and the egress window itself is rot and moisture resistant.
Step 6: Install the Egress Well
If you’re using a cheap vinyl window well, this part is fairly easy. If you want a concrete window well, it’s more challenging. Here at Illumicast we use precast concrete sections to form the walls of the window well. They are very heavy and require machinery in order to place them precisely into the window well hole. We bolt these sections to the basement wall with 1 inch steel all-thread.
Step 7: All the Other Things
We left out a number of steps here for the sake of brevity, so please do your own research. Also consider watching our installation video here.
Pros and Cons of Installing an Egress Window Well Yourself
Pros
Of course the main reason that you might choose to install an egress window well yourself is to save money. If you’re handy with tools and machinery and can either borrow or cheaply rent the tools you need, it might be worth a shot.
Cons
A common issue with DIY installs is that the dirt keeps settling around the window well, which is both a nuisance and introduces potential drainage issues.
Tool and machinery costs can add up quickly in addition to the supplies for the job.
The biggest issue is waterproofing. Because egress windows are below ground, they need to be installed correctly in order to avoid any ground or rainwater issues. A “figuring-it-out-as-you-go” window well installation can lead to substantial water damage inside your home if you don’t get it quite right. Those initial DIY cost savings can be quickly wiped out by water damage repairs and restoration.
Conclusion
If you’re a high level DIYer or have a construction background, installing a new egress window well yourself is possible. If you’re like most homeowners, the convenience and peace of mind that comes with letting us handle your project is well worth the investment.
We’ve installed hundreds of egress window wells throughout Wichita and Central Kansas over the last 10+ years and would love the opportunity to serve you as well!
You can contact us here.