• They let a lot of light into the basement
• They turn a basement room into a legal bedroom
• They increase safety by having a secondary fire escape
• They increase your property value with the addition of an extra bedroom
• They create a more enjoyable space without the feeling of being 'in a basement'

NO. The mini excavator I use is quite small and has rubber treads. We also put down a 'carpet' of plywood around the excavation area and anyplace the machinery will be sitting for any amount of time. The dirt is moved manually by humans and wheelbarrows, not a big bobcat. My crew of 3 and I take pride in leaving the worksite as clean as when we arrived. We all know what rakes and brooms are for, thank you very much.

Thanks to modern digging equipment and electric blankets, we can now dig through frozen dirt. There is no reason to put off your window project until the warm summer months. Give me a call.

Yes. These windows need to be a bit bigger to meet code, but it can be done and they look great. Let me help select a proper size.

Yes. Historically, this was not a good choice as the gliding hardware did not work well. I have recently found a brand that I approve of and glides nicely. An added benefit of this style is that you can remove both panes and have a wide opening to move couches and other large objects in and out of your basement.

Yes. This is the most common style installed in an egress as it minimizes the hole size and maximizes the window opening. Remember, it is not the size of the glass that is important. It is the size of the OPENING that makes code.

Yes. Put a window wherever YOU want to. Don't limit your options by only enlarging existing windows.

Yes, yes and yes. The window and retaining wall must be low enough for young children to climb out. It must also be big enough for a full sized firefighter with gear to climb into the room in case of an emergency. There are a LOT of specific city codes regarding these windows. It can be tough wading through it all.

YES, and they are based on the value of the project. Most permits are $100 or less for an egress window and require a final inspection by your city inspector.

Either you or I can call Gopher State One Call. www.gopherstateonecall.com They may not have records of sprinkler systems, patio grill gas lines, or buried dog fencing. LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANYTHING BURIED IN YOUR YARD BEFORE I DIG.

Most projects can be completed within a single day. Sometimes, in only 6 hours. Weather, soil conditions, and the complexity of the window well design make this a bit of a variable, but typically a single day.

Yes. Check out these links for ideas. Window Bubble, PolyGuard Covers, or Quick Strong. These can be time consuming to customize and install, so give me a call and we can discuss some ideas.

Some windows need to be specially ordered and can take 3-4 weeks lead time. Some standard size windows are readily available. If timing is an issue, just call me and ask what my schedule looks like, we can usually work something out.

Well, there is an awful lot of dirt to be moved for the window well. There is also a lot of equipment to be brought on site. Cutting the hole in the basement wall will also create a lot of cement dust. Each of these issues is specifically addressed.

• A Plywood Flooring is laid down on the grass and around the hole to minimize lawn stress.
• The dust is contained with tarps, fans, and air pressure.
• The dirt can be regraded around your foundation or hauled off site.
• You will not see a big mess when I am done

I will gladly leave as much dirt on your property as you can possibly use. Building up your foundation for drainage support is a GREAT idea and I can pile the dirt neatly in place and smooth it out for no cost. I will take away all of the remaining dirt and debris and dispose of it properly or bring it to recycling centers. The block wall will get ground up and become a road somewhere in the local area. Scrap metal is recycled. Root and plant material is composted. I'll gladly transplant plants to my yard.

Water can only get in from 3 areas:

• The Sky: A heavy rain will drop a few inches of water. We have a foot or so of gravel and space below the window graded away to absorb this volume.
• The Walls: Heavy rains will create localized rivers of flooding. The Window well is installed higher than the surrounding ground to act as a barrier to keep water from flowing over the wall. Obvious issues are graded with the excavated dirt.
• The Ground: If the ground is completely saturated, water will fill up from the base of the well. If your home typically has flooding problems, let me know as there are a number of fairly simple remedies such as a French drain, or tying the window well into an existing drain tile system.

Not usually. Ambient ground and house heat tend to keep the well clear and open all winter long.

Yes. If the ground is frozen, I lay out a heating blanket to thaw the ground before digging. The one basement room will get cold, but the hole is cut and filled with a window in a very short time.

Only for windows which will be installed wider than an existing window frame. It is a matter of looking at your framing structure.

They are no more or less easy to enter than any other window in your home. They have double lock latching mechanisms. I have discussed this with the police and they say most burglers enter through an unlocked door, not a window. In fact, the service door to the garage is the most frequent method of entry.

Imagine someone else helping you out with your job; it is not that easy of a question. Competent workers who know what they are doing can be beneficial, but my experience to date has been sketchy. As I guarantee my work, I will have to rely upon the quality of your work and don't want to have to spend my time fixing yours. Let's just say you'll have to prove you are worthy.

Thanks Carol, you ROCK!