Pricing reviewed October 2026
Replacing a basement window costs $400 to $1,000 per window, with a 2026 national average of about $700, according to Angi (updated Oct 1, 2026). Cutting a new egress opening is a different job: Angi puts egress window installation at $2,723 to $5,881 per window, averaging $4,236 across 760 verified projects (Angi, updated Aug 31, 2026).
The gap between those two numbers is the whole story of basement windows. Swapping a hopper window in an existing opening is one of the cheapest window jobs in a house. Turning a basement into a legal bedroom usually means sawing through the foundation, digging a well and adding drainage, and the glass becomes the smallest line on the invoice. This guide splits the two so you can tell which job you are actually being quoted for.
Basement window cost at a glance
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basement window replacement, installed | $400 – $1,000 per window (avg. $700) | Angi, Oct 1, 2026 |
| Labor only | $100 – $300 per window; up to $600 for custom or complex installs | Angi, Oct 1, 2026 |
| Prefab unit only | $100 – $800 | Angi, Oct 1, 2026 |
| Custom unit only | $150 – $1,200 (25%–50% over prefab) | Angi, Oct 1, 2026 |
| New egress window, fully installed | $2,723 – $5,881 (avg. $4,236) | Angi, Aug 31, 2026 |
| Egress permit | $100 – $500, plus $50 – $300 inspection in some cities | Angi, Aug 31, 2026 |
Hopper vs. egress: two very different jobs
Hopper windows are the small, top-hinged windows that sit near the ceiling of most basements. Angi lists prefab hopper units at $100–$300 and custom units at $125–$450, making them "among the most affordable types of windows for basements." They don't need a window well, they tilt in from the top for ventilation, and Angi notes they are "not great for egress" because of how they open.
Egress windows are sized so a person can climb out in an emergency. Angi summarizes the basement code minimums as at least 20 inches wide, at least 24 inches tall, a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor, and a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. A unit that meets those sizes costs about the same as other basement windows (Angi: $100–$750 prefab, $125–$1,125 custom). What makes egress expensive is everything around it.
| Egress opening size (in.) | Average installed cost, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 24 × 36 (meets minimum code) | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| 30 × 48 | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| 36 × 60 | $5,000 – $8,500 |
| Custom shape or size | $6,000+ |
Source: Angi egress window cost guide, updated Aug 31, 2026.
Where the egress money goes
Angi lists the add-ons that turn a $500 window into a $4,000+ project. Each comes from the same Aug 31, 2026 guide:
- Window well: metal $200–$600, plastic $250–$800, concrete $750–$2,500.
- Drainage: a drain "can add $500 to $2,000."
- Site preparation (excavation, debris removal, delivery): $500–$2,000.
- Well cover: $50–$500.
- Interior and exterior finishes (trim, drywall, paint): $300–$1,200.
- Labor: $50–$120 per hour; a standard install "may take 16 to 24 hours," complex jobs 40 hours or more.
Angi does not list foundation cutting as its own line; it rolls it into labor and "project complexity," noting that "cutting through thick concrete" raises both time and cost. When you compare quotes, ask each contractor to break out the saw cut, excavation, well, drain and interior finish separately so you are comparing the same scope.
Basement window cost by type
| Window type | Prefab unit | Custom unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hopper | $100 – $300 | $125 – $450 |
| Glass block | $100 – $400 | $125 – $600 |
| Awning | $100 – $600 | $125 – $900 |
| Single-hung | $175 – $525 | $225 – $800 |
| Sliding | $250 – $625 | $325 – $950 |
| Casement | $100 – $750 | $125 – $1,125 |
| Egress | $100 – $750 | $125 – $1,125 |
| Double-hung | $250 – $750 | $325 – $1,125 |
| In-swing | $300 – $800 | $375 – $1,200 |
Unit prices only, before labor. Source: Angi, updated Oct 1, 2026. Angi notes casements "generally require a window well," while in-swing units, which open into the basement, suit small wells.
Basement window cost by frame material
| Frame | Prefab unit | Custom unit |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $100 – $650 | $125 – $975 |
| Wood | $175 – $800 | $225 – $1,200 |
| Fiberglass | $250 – $800 | $325 – $1,200 |
| Steel | $275 – $800 | $350 – $1,200 |
| Aluminum | $300 – $675 | $375 – $1,025 |
Source: Angi, Oct 1, 2026. Vinyl is the cheapest, but Angi warns vinyl frames "can crack and warp in extreme climates." Steel is secure but rust-prone in a damp window well. For above-grade windows, see window cost by frame material.
Size and other cost drivers
Angi gives unit prices of $100–$475 for small, $325–$575 for medium and $525–$800 for large basement windows. Three things push a basement replacement above the typical range:
- Changing the opening. Making the hole bigger or smaller means "significantly higher labor costs to cut out a new window opening or fill in the existing one" (Angi). Enlarging a hopper opening to egress size is priced like new egress work, not like a replacement.
- Hidden damage. Rotted bucks, cracked masonry or water damage found once the old window is out are billed on top.
- Brand. Angi names Boman & Kemp and Wellcraft as higher-end basement window brands that cost "considerably more per unit."
When to replace basement windows
Angi says most basement windows last 20 to 30 years. Leaks, frames that won't open, visible rot, or a basement that swings in temperature are reasons to act sooner. If you are finishing the basement as a bedroom, check your local code first: the egress requirement usually applies to sleeping rooms, and an inspector will measure the net clear opening, not the window's nominal size.
How to read a basement window quote
- Replacement quote: should list the unit, removal and disposal, sealing against water, and interior trim. If it's well above $1,000 for one standard hopper, ask why.
- Egress quote: should name the opening size, the well material, whether a drain is included and where it discharges, the permit, and interior finish. Angi's ranges suggest a code-minimum opening lands around $2,500–$4,000.
- Permits: Angi says most municipalities require one for egress work, at $100–$500.
Planning a whole-house project? See whole-house window replacement cost and how much replacement windows should cost.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a basement window?
Angi puts basement window replacement at $400–$1,000 per window in 2026, with a national average of $700. Labor runs $100–$300 per window and up to $600 for custom work.
How much does it cost to add an egress window to a basement?
Angi reports a 2026 national average of $4,236, with most projects between $2,723 and $5,881 per window, including cutting, the well and finishing.
What size does a basement egress window have to be?
Angi summarizes the code minimums as at least 20 inches wide, 24 inches high, a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor, and a net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet. Confirm with your local building department. Check your window size against the code with the egress window size calculator.
Are hopper windows cheaper than egress windows?
Yes. Angi lists prefab hopper units at $100–$300. They need no well but are not suited for egress.
Do I need a permit for a basement egress window?
Angi says most municipalities require one, at $100–$500, with inspection fees of $50–$300 in some cities.
How long do basement windows last?
Angi says most basement windows last 20 to 30 years.
Sources
- Angi, "How Much Does Basement Window Replacement Cost? [2026 Data]" (updated Oct 1, 2026); accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Egress Window Installation Cost? [2026 Data]" (updated Aug 31, 2026); accessed Oct 29, 2026.
Figures on this page come from the third-party cost guides, manufacturer documents and government sources linked inline and listed above, checked October 29, 2026. They are not from the WindowCostEstimate cost guide or our calculator pricing model. Prices and warranty terms change; confirm with the manufacturer and compare written quotes from local installers.