What are typical costs for basement window well installation in Calgary?

Installing a basement window well in Calgary typically costs between $1,500 and $6,000 per window, depending on whether you are adding a new egress window with foundation cutting or simply replacing an existing window well enclosure. For a full egress window installation — which includes cutting through the foundation wall, installing the window, building the window well, and restoring the exterior grading — expect to pay $2,500 to $6,000 per window in the Calgary market.

If your basement already has a window opening and you simply need a new window well enclosure, the cost is much lower. A standard galvanized steel window well with proper drainage runs $300-$800 installed, while a larger stepped or terraced window well suitable for egress runs $500-$1,200 installed. Adding a clear polycarbonate window well cover to keep out rain, snow, and debris adds another $100-$300 per well. These covers are particularly valuable in Calgary, where hailstorms and heavy spring snowmelt can overwhelm unprotected window wells and send water pouring into the basement.

Full egress window installation is the more common project in Calgary basements, especially in homes from the 1960s-1980s across suburbs like Brentwood, Varsity, Lake Bonavista, and Dalhousie that were built with small, non-compliant basement windows. The Alberta Building Code requires every basement bedroom to have an egress window with a minimum unobstructed opening of 3.77 square feet (0.35 square metres), a minimum width of 15 inches, and a maximum sill height of 39 inches from the floor. Cutting a new opening in a poured concrete foundation requires specialized concrete-cutting equipment, typically a wall saw, and costs $800-$1,500 for the cut alone. The window itself — usually a sliding or casement style designed for egress compliance — runs $400-$1,200 depending on size and quality.

The window well construction for an egress installation must be large enough to allow a person to escape and a firefighter in full gear to enter. This means the well must extend at least 21 inches from the foundation wall and be at least 39 inches wide. In Calgary, the window well must also account for frost depth exceeding 1.2 metres, so proper drainage is critical. A layer of clear gravel at the bottom of the well connected to the weeping tile system or a dedicated drain prevents water from pooling — essential during Calgary's spring snowmelt season when large volumes of water flow across still-frozen ground.

Drainage considerations add $200-$500 per window well if a dedicated drain line needs to be connected to the weeping tile or sump system. In areas with bentonite clay — common throughout Calgary's NW and NE quadrants — extra care is needed because clay soils retain water and exert lateral pressure on window well walls. Metal window wells in clay soils should be securely anchored to the foundation with masonry screws or brackets.

This work requires a building permit from the City of Calgary because cutting into the foundation wall is a structural modification. The permit ensures a Safety Codes Officer inspects the work to confirm it meets Alberta Building Code requirements. Expect permit fees of $150-$400 per window. Any contractor performing this work should carry WCB Alberta coverage and have experience with Calgary's soil conditions. Get matched with experienced basement professionals through the Calgary Construction Network to compare quotes on your window well project.