Do I need a window well if I’m installing an egress window?

Yes. An egress window in a basement needs a window well below grade so the opening is clear of soil and the window can be opened fully. The well also provides the space required to climb out during an emergency. We install the window and the well together, or replace either piece on its own.

Can you install a window well in the winter in Toronto?

Yes. We do year-round installs. The freeze-thaw cycle is exactly why drainage has to be done right—when snow melts, the water has to go somewhere besides the bottom of the well. If the ground is frozen, we break through and keep the excavation dry during the install.

What if my window well is rusty and leaking water into the basement?

We replace the old well with a new liner, and if the foundation is showing signs of moisture, we’ll recommend waterproofing before reinstalling. The cost for a standard replacement starts at $500, and it goes up if drainage work or waterproofing is needed. That quote is free. Ready to get started? Book a free site evaluation and quote within 48 hours. Call us at (416) 555-0199 .

Window Well Installation in Toronto — $800–$2,500

A window well installation in Toronto costs $800 to $2,500, with the final price driven by depth, width, wall material, drainage work, and whether an old well has to be removed. That price includes a new well liner, excavation, base preparation, backfill, and cleanup—but not the egress window itself. If you need the full package, egress window plus well, expect $4,500 to $8,000.

What a window well installation includes

A window well is the metal or plastic structure that holds back soil around a below-grade window. It gives the window opening space outside and, when paired with an egress window, the ability to exit. Our standard install includes:

Excavation down to the window opening, with enough clearance to meet your window’s rough opening.
Removal and disposal of the old well if there is one.
A new galvanized steel or plastic well liner, cut and fastened to fit.
A compacted gravel base at the bottom of the well for drainage.
Backfilling around the outside of the well with clean fill or screened gravel.
Caulking and flashing at the top edge where the well meets the foundation.
Site cleanup and removal of excavated material.

We size the well to meet Ontario Building Code requirements for egress windows. A window well installed by Egress Window Pros Toronto is built to OBC Section 9.9.10.1, which means the opening is large enough for a person to climb through and, if the window serves as a bedroom exit, the well provides a clear path out.

Window well pricing: $800 to $2,500

Base price for a standard window well install is $800. The job goes up from there based on the conditions at your house.

Depth and width. Deeper wells need more excavation, more liner material, and more labour. A typical egress well is about 42 inches wide and 24 inches deep, but a deep below-grade window can push that higher.
Access. A well beside a driveway or in a narrow side yard takes longer to dig by hand. If we have to break concrete, cut asphalt, or work around a patio, that adds time.
Material. Galvanized steel is the standard choice. Heavy-duty plastic is lighter and resists corrosion, but it costs more. Custom colours and taller curb heights also raise the price.
Old well removal. If your existing well is rusted out, bolted to the foundation, or buried under landscaping, removal and disposal adds $150 to $400 depending on size.
Drainage correction. Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycles shift soil and can crush a poorly drained well. If your old well filled with water, we’ll recommend a drainage layer or tie-in to the weeping tile system. That work is separate and runs $500 to $3,000, depending on how far the water has to travel.
Waterproofing. If the foundation around the window shows moisture damage, we may add a waterproofing membrane to the exposed wall before the well goes back in. That starts around $1,200 as part of a larger basement waterproofing job.

If you only need the well replaced and there are no complications, $800 to $1,200 is the most common range. When drainage, concrete work, and a more expensive material are involved, a full job can reach $2,500.

Window well installation process at Egress Window Pros Toronto

Every installation starts with a site evaluation. We check the window opening, foundation condition, soil type, drainage direction, and access from the yard. You’ll get a written quote within 48 hours, and the quote will show the price for the well alone and any optional drainage or waterproofing work.

Once you approve the quote, we schedule a date. In the GTA, that can be year-round. We install in winter because the project is a shallow excavation; we just have to break through the frost line and keep the area dry with a temporary sump pump if snow melt is coming in.

On install day, the crew:

1. Protects the work area with plywood or plastic.

2. Excavates down to the window opening.

3. Removes the old well if there is one.

4. Installs the new well liner and fastens it to the foundation.

5. Adds a gravel bed at the bottom of the well.

6. Backfills with clean fill and compacts it in layers.

7. Cleans up and hauls away the excavated material.

Most single window well installations take four to six hours. If we’re doing drainage or waterproofing at the same time, expect a full day.

Why choose Egress Window Pros Toronto

We’re a family-run Toronto basement contractor with 12 years of below-grade experience. We’ve installed more than 400 egress windows and window wells across Toronto and the GTA, and every install is done by our own crew—not subbed out.

Building code compliance. All egress window and well work meets OBC 9.9.10.1. If your area requires a permit, our work aligns with what the inspector will look for.
Drainage-first approach. Toronto clay soil and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on window wells. We build in drainage on the backfill side, so the well doesn’t fill with water and heave in the winter.
Licensed, insured, WSIB covered. You get the paperwork you need, and workers on your property are covered.
10-year workmanship warranty. If a well shifts, separates from the foundation, or fails because of a workmanship issue, we come back and fix it at no cost.
Free site evaluation and quote within 48 hours. No need to send photos and guess—we look at the actual conditions before we quote.

If you’re in the GTA and you need a window well replaced or installed, call us. We work across North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Vaughan, and Markham, and we’re happy to set up an evaluation.

✓Google Rating: 5.0 ★✓Years in Business: 12+✓Egress Installs: 400+✓Workmanship Warranty: 10 yrs

$800–$2,500typical project range

Free on-site estimate · no obligation · (416) 555-0199

Get Free Quote