Total Basement Finishing of Western NY Q&A

Egress Windows are a great safety feture to have in your home. The building code regarding egress windows changed in May 2020, you will need to put an egress window in with most basement renovations now. Please call our office, we are regularly in touch with the code enforcers in all areas of Western New York and can explain what will need to be done in your area of the state with the type of renovation that you are thinking of.

Unfortunatly we can't give you an instant quote over the phone or by email, as every project varies in price due to the physical space in your basement, and the amount of materials and work that will be needed.  We send a design technician out to do a free estimate which will let them calculate a price for you.

Put simply, yes.

When installing an Egress Window, a portion of the foundation is removed. This could jeopardize the structural integrity of your foundation. Most towns do require a permit, and many require a PE stamped drawing to ensure through a third party the design will work and that a structural problem is not created.

5 square feet.

The most recent IRC (International Residential Construction) code was written in 2015 and has been used since October 2016 to establish and guide building codes in NYS. The Exception to part R310.1.1 states: Grade floor or below grade openings shall have a net clear opening of not less than 5 Square feet. Prior to the IRC 2015 the clear opening was 5.7 feet.

The cost is determined purely on two things: The size of the space and the options you choose to put in it. Rest assured when it comes to adding living space...there is not a better value. Finishing your basement is far less than putting an addition on your home (considering you already have the space). You do not have to build a foundation, build and side the exterior walls or add a roof. You can simply finish your existing space!

When finishing a basement you MUST use products that contain zero amounts of organic material. Products that we use and love include closed cell foam for insulation and concrete/mineral board for finished walls. We never use drywall for walls (of any color purple, green or white) or insulation batting because they contain organic materials.

There are a lot of options when it comes to finishing your basement; It would be impossible to say what a basement would cost with out specifying what options and size we are talking about, but, if you are talking about having a contractor do all the work and finishing the floor, walls, ceiling, and electrical, we have seen the price range from $35.00 to $108.00 per square foot. It all depends on the materials and options used and the size of the space.

An Egress window is actually called an Emergency Escape & Rescue Opening, which is very descript! The window's location and size is such that ease of escape is maximized. It is large enough that emergency responders can get in with air apparatus and equipment.