Even with a flat yard? Or at least enlarge the small typical basement windows into larger windows to allow for additional light and escape if needed? What would the average cost be to do something like this? Thanks!
2007-10-05 07:10:34 · 3 answers · asked by Angela 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yes, it can be done. You say your yard is flat? Is finish grade at the top of the basement walls or is your basement wall already exposed? IF YOUR BASEMENT IS ALREADY EXPOSED (and if your basement walls are poured - not block) you can hire a concrete cutting company to come in and saw new openings for doors and/or windows. I estimate each hole would cost you around $1200 - $1500. If your basement wall is concrete block, you can have someone saw the block joints and knock out the blocks, but be careful! You need to make sure you have the wall shored up properly and allow room to place lentil beams over the new openings. If you do indeed have block walls and decide to go through with this demolition, I strongly suggest getting a reputable contractor to do the work.
Overall, with poured walls, you'd be looking at (depending upon your openings) $10,000 - 15,000 and with block walls - $12,000 - 18,000 (maybe even more)
IF YOUR BASEMENT WALL IS NOT EXPOSED it would be very expensive and I wouldn't be surprised if the cost would be in the area of $30,000 or more. Definitely do your homework and shop around for good contractors.
2007-10-05 09:00:31 · answer #1 · answered by Beej 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can do this, I don't go along with some of the estimates but, these are their estimates from their areas. If your in Michigan you need an escape window in the basement if you have anyone sleeping in the basement, these windows are relatively easy and inexpensive to install in basements here.
It's nothing more then a window that is five by three feet and goes out from the wall about five feet. Like an real big basement window. Check with Home Depot on these. I can't give you the cost of these but, Home Depot can.
If your home is on flat ground, then it will cost you for a walk-out, I'd say to forget it. You could got to a "Berm" part in, part out.
2007-10-06 00:02:33 · answer #2 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, you just need a backhoe.
2007-10-05 07:15:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋