Anonymous
Post 10/08/2015 09:29     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:Is it underground or above ground. We enlarged two windows this summer in our basement and it was no big deal. We paid someone to cut the the block. He did a crappy job and we had to recut it. All he did was use a circular saw with s special blade and patch with concrete (not even so we had to do it). Then we framed and put in the new windows. If its below ground, that is easily a few thousand dollars as you have to dig out the area, install a well and drainage and then a special window (going down pretty far per code).


It's below ground. The existing window well already had drainage, I don't know if they could build into that or not but if so maybe that would save some money.


Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a second egress from the basement?


Maybe OP wants to rent it out.


We're just planning on using it for the kids and to increase the desirability when we want to sell although I was actually thinking that a door might be a decent idea but I'm sure that would cost a lot more.
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 20:32     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a second egress from the basement?


Maybe OP wants to rent it out.
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 19:37     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a second egress from the basement?


Does a regular window well count as an egress?


Depends on the size and how high off the ground it is but yes.
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 19:37     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Is it underground or above ground. We enlarged two windows this summer in our basement and it was no big deal. We paid someone to cut the the block. He did a crappy job and we had to recut it. All he did was use a circular saw with s special blade and patch with concrete (not even so we had to do it). Then we framed and put in the new windows. If its below ground, that is easily a few thousand dollars as you have to dig out the area, install a well and drainage and then a special window (going down pretty far per code).
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 19:29     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a second egress from the basement?


Does a regular window well count as an egress?
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 18:29     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Why do you need a second egress from the basement?
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 18:12     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I read that I might have to add an egress window. Is it cheaper/easier to add one to an existing window well? Our basement is concrete block. Does anyone have experience with this?


Does your basement currently have any egress at all to the outdoors, windows or doors? How many rooms when finished? Each room needs an egress. If it is all one room and already has egress you may not need another


The basement will just be one room. It has several windows with window wells already but no egresses.
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 17:44     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:I read that I might have to add an egress window. Is it cheaper/easier to add one to an existing window well? Our basement is concrete block. Does anyone have experience with this?


Does your basement currently have any egress at all to the outdoors, windows or doors? How many rooms when finished? Each room needs an egress. If it is all one room and already has egress you may not need another
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 17:36     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
Anonymous wrote:All an existing window well means is that the brick doesn't have to be cut as far. But the hole still needs to be dug and shored. Then the egress window needs to be cut. The cost won't be that much less than starting from scratch because the amount of effort to cut into the concrete block is the same. Once the mason comes to your house and starts cutting he really doesn't care that he's cutting 3.5" vs 4'


Hmm okay. We're thinking about having a new patio/deck put in as well as the basement finished so it might make sense to do it all at once but that would cost quite a bit.
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 17:32     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
All an existing window well means is that the brick doesn't have to be cut as far. But the hole still needs to be dug and shored. Then the egress window needs to be cut. The cost won't be that much less than starting from scratch because the amount of effort to cut into the concrete block is the same. Once the mason comes to your house and starts cutting he really doesn't care that he's cutting 3.5" vs 4'
Anonymous
Post 10/07/2015 17:13     Subject: Thinking about finishing a basement
I read that I might have to add an egress window. Is it cheaper/easier to add one to an existing window well? Our basement is concrete block. Does anyone have experience with this?