What it is
The well is half the window
A well is the hole outside the window. It has to be big enough to stand in, drain when it rains and have a cover that doesn't trap anyone.
Size
At least 9 square feet and 36 inches each way, so a person can stand in it.
Drain
Gravel below and a pipe tied to the footing drain or a pit, so it never fills.
Cover
Clear or metal, opens from inside without a key or a tool.
In the price
What's included, and what's not
Included
The well, set on gravel
A drain tied to the footing drain or a pit
Built-in ladder rungs when the depth needs them
A cover that opens from inside
Backfill and grading
Not included
Fixing a foundation leak
Replacing the window
A sump pump
Landscaping around the well
What changes the number
What moves the price
Depth
Deeper than 44 inches needs a ladder or steps.
Material
Corrugated steel, composite or poured concrete.
Drain
Tied to the footing drain costs less than a pit of its own.
Cover
Clear domes, grates or a hinged cover.
Soil
Clay holds water; we add more gravel.
Grading
The yard has to slope away from the well.
How it goes
Steps and who shows up
- 01
Step 1: Look at the well
We see what is there: size, depth, drain, cover.
- 02
Step 2: Dig out
Old wells come out whole if they can.
- 03
Step 3: Gravel and drain
A bed of gravel and a pipe to the footing drain or a pit.
- 04
Step 4: Set and cover
The well goes against the wall; the cover goes on.
- 05
Step 5: Grade
Soil is graded away from the wall.
Permits and rules
Rules for the well
A well is part of the egress path. The usual sizes are 9 square feet of floor area, 36 inches in each direction, a ladder or step if the well is deeper than 44 inches, and a cover that opens from inside without a key.
The permit for the window covers the well. If the house already has a well and you want a bigger window, we check the well against the same sizes.
Questions about this job
Why does my well fill with water?
Usually the drain was never connected, or it is full of silt. We probe the drain and tell you what we find.
Do I need a cover?
A cover keeps out leaves, snow and children. A cover also has to open from inside, so it can't be bolted down.
Can you make an old well bigger?
Often. We replace it with one that meets the sizes and tie it to a drain.
What if my drain is already tied in?
Then the well sits on top of it and we test the flow before backfill.
Ask about your wall
Send a photo of the wall or call. We measure before we quote.