Elevated Dirt Works · Free On-Site Estimates
Egress Window Excavation in Missoula, MT
We dig the window-well area for basement egress windows, set drainage gravel and backfill, and coordinate with your window installer on the rest.
Egress Window Digs in Missoula and the Bitterroot
Adding a bedroom in the basement usually means adding an egress window, a window big enough to climb out of in an emergency. Before any wall gets cut, the dirt outside that wall has to come out.
That's the part Elevated Dirt Works does. We excavate the window-well area against the foundation, set gravel for drainage, backfill around the well once it's in and haul away the extra dirt. We do this for homeowners finishing a basement and for contractors doing remodels around Missoula, Lolo and the Bitterroot Valley.
Egress digs are small, but they're right next to the house. That's why we use compact equipment. A mini excavator can get into a side yard or between a house and a fence and dig close to the foundation without tearing up the rest of the lawn. For the wall cut and the window itself, ask us about the full scope. We can coordinate with your window installer so the dig, the cut and the install happen in the right order.
What's Included
- Montana811 locate request before digging
- Excavation of the window-well area against the foundation
- Digging deep enough for drainage below the well
- Drainage gravel at the bottom of the well area
- Backfill around the installed window well
- Hauling off extra dirt
- Cleanup and rough grade around the work area
- Scheduling with your window installer
How It Works
- Free on-site estimate
We look at the wall, the access and what's buried nearby.
- Locates
We call Montana811, and you tell us about any private lines, sprinklers or drains along that wall.
- Excavation
We dig out the well area to the needed width and depth.
- Cut and install
Your window installer handles the opening and the window. We schedule around them.
- Drainage and backfill
Gravel goes in, the well is set, and we backfill and clean up.
What an Egress Window Dig Involves
The hole is bigger than the window. A window well needs room in front of the window for someone to climb out, plus space around the well for backfill. The dig is wider and deeper than most people expect. Your window installer or building plans set the size.
Drainage matters most. A window well is a hole in the ground next to your basement. If water collects in it, it ends up inside. We dig below the bottom of the window and put down drainage gravel so water soaks away instead of pooling. Some wells also tie into the foundation's perimeter drain. Ask your installer what your wall has.
Watch what's buried along the wall. Sprinkler lines, downspout drains, gas lines and utility service lines often run along the house. We call Montana811 and dig carefully near the foundation.
Backfill and settling. Once the well is in place, we backfill around it and compact the soil so the ground doesn't sink next to the house. The final grade should slope away from the well.
Where our scope ends. We do the excavation, gravel, backfill and haul-off. For the wall cut and window install, ask us about the full scope. We're happy to coordinate with the installer you choose.
What Affects the Cost
Well size and depth
A deeper basement window needs a bigger dig.
Access
Narrow side yards, fences and decks can limit equipment.
Buried lines
Utilities or drains along the wall mean slower, careful digging.
Dirt haul-off
Removing spoils adds loads.
Surface restoration
Digging through a patio, walkway or landscaping adds work.
The on-site estimate is free. Call (406) 239-1799
Elevated Dirt Works is crushing it on our tight site. I continue to be impressed with these guys, and am so thankful they are on the dream team building our big addition!
Egress Windows Across Western Montana
We work from our base in Lolo across Missoula County and the Bitterroot Valley.
Ravalli County / Bitterroot Valley
Egress Window FAQs
Do you cut the foundation and install the window?
We do the excavation, drainage gravel, backfill and haul-off. For the cut and the window, ask us about the full scope, and we can coordinate with your window installer.
How long does an egress dig take?
The dig itself is usually quick. The overall timeline depends on when the cut and window install are scheduled, and we plan around that.
Can you do more than one window at a time?
Yes. Several windows on one visit saves mobilization time. We can also handle drainage and regrading around the house or larger foundation work. Contact us for a free estimate.
Ready to Break Ground?
Call for a free on-site estimate. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM.