How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace a Basement Window Well?

By Shelley Frost

December 10, 2025

If your home has a basement, it likely has window wells. They're those little semicircle structures around your lower-level windows meant for ventilation and easy egress in an emergency.

This May Also Interest You: How to Install or Replace a Window Well

You may eventually need a window well replacement if yours starts to deteriorate. Find out how window wells work and how much you can expect to pay for window well installation.

What Is the Purpose of a Window Well?

Window wells are built around basement and ground-level installations to create a space between the soil and the window. They allow you to have larger windows on the lowest level of your home instead of small windows situated above ground level.

Window wells can have several uses and benefits:

Emergency escape route. Window wells are necessary around egress windows, which are larger basement windows that make it easier for people to exit in an emergency. The window well may feature steps or a ladder to make escape easier and faster.
Increased light. Moving earth away or installing a larger window in a window well allows more sunlight to reach your basement, making it feel more like a finished space.
Better ventilation. Along the same lines, adding window wells allows you to open basement windows for increased ventilation. Since basements sometimes have high humidity levels, increasing ventilation is often beneficial for decreasing moisture in the space.
Decreased water infiltration. Window wells keep not only earth away from windows but also water. They can help reduce the chances of your basement flooding or of water getting in around the windows.

How Deep Should Window Wells Be?

The depth of a window well depends on the size of the window and the local building codes. As a general guideline, window wells should be at least 8 inches below the windowsill. Width-wise, you want a window well that's a minimum of 6 inches wider than your window.

If you're installing a window well around an egress window, you'll need to meet minimum overall size requirements to ensure there's enough room to use it as an exit. The International Residential Code says the horizontal size needs to be a minimum of 9 square feet, with a projection, and the width should be at least 36 inches.

Do Window Wells Need Drains?

While you don't have to install a drain in a window well, it's common to incorporate some type of drainage. If you don't have a way for water to drain out of the hole, it can pool and potentially leak into your basement through the window. Drains are particularly important in areas that receive lots of precipitation.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Existing Basement Window Well?

The average cost for a window well replacement is between $1,000 and $5,000 (CAD 1,383 and CAD 6,916) per window, according to HomeGuide.

What Are the Cost Factors?

Several components make up the price of a window well replacement:

Labor takes up a large portion of the cost, averaging $400 to $1,400 (CAD 553 to CAD 1,936) per window.
You can expect to pay $50 to $200 (CAD 69 to CAD 277) for permits if your area requires them.
You'll also pay anywhere from $50 to $300 (CAD 69 to CAD 415) to have an old window well removed.

The material your new window well is made of also has a major impact on the price. Steel is typically the most affordable option, while concrete is often on the high end of the price range. Here are the common cost ranges for different materials:

Steel: $400 to $800 (CAD 553 to CAD 1,106)
Plastic: $600 to $1,600 (CAD 830 to CAD 2,213)
Fiberglass: $1,000 to $2,000 (CAD 1,383 to CAD 2,766)
Concrete: $1,500 to $2,800 (CAD 2,075 to CAD 3,873)

More Related Articles:

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Window Well Liner?

Pricing for just the window well liner is usually between $400 and $2,800 (CAD 553 and CAD 3,873). If you're only replacing the liner, the project should cost less than if you're digging a new window well or changing the design of an existing one.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Window Well Cover?

The average cost for window well covers is between $250 and $500 (CAD 346 and CAD 692), but the price can be much higher. How much you spend depends largely on the material and design of the cover. A custom-made cover typically costs more than a standard one available at a home improvement store.

Adding a cover can prevent people from falling into your window well if they aren't paying attention. It also helps stop leaves and other debris from entering the well and can help keep moisture out.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

Follow us