Last updated: September 2026
At Egress of Long Island, we’re often asked by homeowners: “How much value will an egress window add to my house?” It’s a fair question, especially for Long Island homeowners turning a basement into living space.
Adding an egress window can add to your home’s value and appeal, especially when it helps turn basement space into a legal bedroom or living area. It also makes the space safer.
Let’s look at how egress windows affect home value, and what they do and don’t add on their own.
Quick Answer: How Much Value Does an Egress Window Add?
An egress window is one of the requirements for a basement bedroom to count as legal living space (along with things like ceiling height and a permit). That can add more usable room for your family, help at resale, and give everyone a safe way out in an emergency.
For a broader benchmark, the National Association of REALTORS 2025 Remodeling Impact Report estimates that a full basement conversion to living area recovers about 71 percent of its cost at resale. That figure covers the whole conversion, not the egress window by itself.
Our egress window packages start at around $5,500.
How Egress Windows Can Add Value to Your Home
Creating Legal Bedrooms
A big part of the value comes from turning non-compliant spaces into legal bedrooms. For many Long Island homes with finished basements, this can change how your home is described in real estate listings.
Building Code Compliance: Without proper egress windows, a finished basement room cannot legally be marketed or appraised as a bedroom, regardless of how it’s used. According to the International Residential Code and New York State requirements, all bedrooms must have adequate emergency exits.
Bedroom Count Impact: The difference between a 3-bedroom and a 4-bedroom home can matter to buyers. A basement room can only be marketed as a bedroom if it meets code, and an egress window is one of those requirements.
Increasing Usable Square Footage
Finished Basement Value: Appraisers usually report below-grade space separately from above-grade living area. Even so, a legal basement bedroom can add appeal and usable room that buyers notice.
More Usable Room: A legal basement bedroom gives you more usable room for your family.
Enhancing Home Marketability
Beyond the appraisal, egress windows can make homes more appealing to buyers in a few ways:
- Buyer Appeal: Homes with more bedrooms and usable living space attract more potential buyers
- Safety Perception: Safety features are major selling points, especially for families with children
- Natural Light: Egress windows bring additional natural light into basement spaces, making them more inviting
- Resale Appeal: A basement bedroom that counts as legal living space gives buyers more usable room, which can help when it is time to sell
ROI Breakdown: The Numbers Behind Egress Window Value
Installation Costs on Long Island
As we detailed in our comprehensive cost guide, egress window installs start at around $5,500 with a masonry well, a Boman Kemp well package starts at around $6,000, and a Cambridge ArmorTec block well package starts at around $8,500. Here is what the Boman Kemp package includes:
| Cost Component | In Our Boman Kemp Package | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Cutting | Included | Saw-cut, reinforced opening in your foundation wall |
| Window | Included | European tilt-and-turn window, standard 32×42 size, other sizes available |
| Window Well System | Included | Boman Kemp galvanized steel well, ladder where required, and a steel safety grate with a clear polycarbonate cover |
| Excavation, Waterproofing, and Drainage | Included | Machine excavation, below-grade waterproofing, drainage stone base, 50-gallon NDS Flo-Well leaching system, compacted backfill, restoration of the disturbed area, and broom-finished cleanup |
| Interior Finish | Extra | Interior rough finish and molding are priced separately |
Value Added
The value an egress window adds depends mostly on these factors:
- Your Local Neighborhood: Higher-value neighborhoods see greater returns
- Overall Home Condition: Well-maintained homes benefit more from upgrades
- Quality of Installation: Professional, attractive installations yield better returns
- Existing Bedroom Count: Going from 2 to 3 bedrooms typically adds more value than going from 4 to 5
What the Numbers Say
There’s no single formula for what an egress window adds on its own. As a broader benchmark, the National Association of REALTORS 2025 Remodeling Impact Report estimates that a full basement conversion to living area recovers about 71 percent of its cost at resale. The egress window is one piece of that project, along with things like ceiling height, finishing, and a permit.
Additional Financial Benefits
Insurance Considerations
Some insurers may look favorably on safety features like egress windows, but it varies by company, so check with your agent.
Tax Implications
While home improvements generally don’t qualify for immediate tax deductions, the increased home value from adding egress windows can benefit you when selling. We recommend you consult with a tax professional about how capital improvements might affect their specific tax situation.
Before and After Value Comparison
Here’s how a basement room compares with and without an egress window:
| Feature | Without Egress Window | With Egress Window |
|---|---|---|
| Basement bedroom value | Not counted as a legal bedroom | Counts as legal living space |
| Can market as legal bedroom | No | Yes, if the room also meets other code requirements |
| Natural light | Usually a small basement window | More daylight from a larger opening |
| Emergency escape | No code-compliant escape opening | Code-compliant escape opening |
Getting the Most From Your Egress Window
These steps help you get the most from installing egress windows across Long Island:
- Choose quality materials that complement your home’s exterior
- Hire experienced professionals (like our team at Egress of Long Island) who understand Long Island building codes
- Consider window placement for maximum natural light and aesthetic appeal
- Add proper drainage and waterproofing to prevent future issues
- Finish the surrounding basement area to create a cohesive living space
Conclusion: Is an Egress Window Worth It?
At Egress of Long Island, we think of installing egress windows as one of the key steps in turning basement space into a legal bedroom, along with things like ceiling height and a permit. It adds safety and more usable room for your family, and it can help at resale. For a full basement conversion to living area, the National Association of REALTORS 2025 Remodeling Impact Report estimates about 71 percent of the cost is recovered at resale.
If you plan to use a basement room as a bedroom, an egress window isn’t optional. It’s part of making the space legal and safe.
Ready to talk about an egress window for your home? Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate. Our team focuses on code-compliant egress window installations that add safety and usable space.
FAQ Section
How long does egress window installation take?
Most of our professional installations can be completed in 1 day, with minimal disruption to your home.
Can I install an egress window myself to save money?
While DIY is possible, professional installation helps with code compliance, proper waterproofing, and structural integrity, which all matter when you sell.
Will an egress window cause water problems in my basement?
Installed with proper waterproofing, a drainage stone base, and a storm water leaching system, an egress window is built to handle water around your foundation. Our work is backed by a 5-year workmanship warranty, and manufacturers back their own products. No one can promise a basement will never see water, but a good install lowers the risk.
How many egress windows should I install?
Building codes typically require one egress window per bedroom. For maximum value, we recommend adding an egress window to each potential bedroom space in your basement.
