The Complete Job, Done to Code
An egress window installation is not a window swap — it is a small construction project in your foundation wall. We excavate the well area outside, cut a code-sized opening through the concrete or block with concrete saws, set a window that meets the IRC minimums (5.7 square feet of clear opening, 20 inches wide, 24 inches tall, sill within 44 inches of the floor), build the window well, connect drainage, and finish the inside trim. Most installs take one to two days.
How It Works: Our Process
Step 1 — Free visit. You call or send the form. We measure the room, check the wall inside and out, look at the grade and drainage, and confirm the opening size the code requires.
Step 2 — Written estimate and permit. Itemized pricing: window, cutting, well, drainage, cover, labor. We handle the Fairfax County permit paperwork.
Step 3 — Dig and cut. We excavate the well area, protect your basement from dust, and cut the opening clean with concrete saws.
Step 4 — Set and build. The window goes in square, level, and sealed. The well goes up with a ladder when the depth requires it. Drainage gets connected — never skipped.
Step 5 — Inspection and walkthrough. The county inspects, we walk the job with you, and we show you how the window opens and the cover lifts.
Poured Wall or Block Wall — We Cut Both
Fairfax County basements are a mix: older homes often have block walls, newer ones poured concrete. Poured walls cut slower and cost more; block walls cut faster but need careful support at the opening. We do both every week, and the estimate reflects your actual wall — not a guess.
What You Get Beyond Code
Code compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. You also get natural light in a basement that used to need lamps at noon, fresh air through a window that actually opens, and a bedroom you can legally list when you sell. One project, three wins.
What to Expect on Install Day
The crew arrives in the morning and starts with protection: floors covered from the door to the work area, plastic sheeting to contain dust, and a clear path for hauling concrete out. Then the cutting starts — and yes, it is loud. Concrete saws are not quiet tools. Most homeowners stay home during the work; the noise is the worst part, and it comes in bursts, not all day. By afternoon the opening is cut, the window is set, and the well is taking shape outside. We haul every chunk of concrete away the same day. You do not need to move out, board the pets, or do anything special — just keep the work area clear.
Poured Concrete vs. Block: How the Cut Differs
Fairfax County has both wall types, and they cut differently. Poured concrete is dense and consistent — the saw moves slower, the job takes longer, and the price reflects the labor. But the cut edge is clean and seals beautifully. Block walls cut faster because the saw moves through block and mortar joints quickly — but the mason has to respect the joints, and the opening needs solid bearing on both sides. Either way, we support the wall around the cut as we go. Nobody cuts a foundation wall and hopes for the best; the opening is planned, measured, and supported before the first cut.
After the Cut: Inspection and Cleanup
Once the window is set and the well is built, two things happen. First, the Fairfax County inspector checks the work against the code — opening size, sill height, well size, ladder. We build with margin so this step is uneventful. Second, we clean: concrete dust wiped down, floors uncovered, the yard graded and raked where we dug. Then we walk the job with you. We open the window fully so you see the clear opening, lift the cover from inside the well so you feel how easy it is, and show you the drain. Every project is different — contact us for a free written estimate.
Choosing the Right Window Style
Most of our installs use casement windows — they crank fully open, so the whole window counts toward the code opening, which means the smallest wall cut and the lowest price. When the well is shallow or you prefer no crank hardware, a slider works — it just needs a wider opening to deliver the same clear space. Our style comparison guide walks through the tradeoffs honestly. During the free visit we measure your wall and recommend the style that passes code with the least cutting, and we show you the math so you can see why.
Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form for a free written estimate.