Egress Window Installation in Markham, ON | OCM Excavation
OCM Excavation installs egress windows across Markham — Unionville, Cornell, Berczy Village, Milliken, and Cathedraltown — so basement bedrooms actually pass Ontario Building Code 9.7.1.3 and 9.9.10. We handle every piece from one trade: exterior dig, foundation saw-cut, steel lintel, waterproof sill, the window itself, and the window well drainage. Most Markham calls split between older homes near Bayview that mirror Richmond Hill demand and newer Cornell or Unionville builds where the basement was finished without egress originally. Call 416-317-3090 for a Markham site visit.
What the Code Requires
For any basement room used as a bedroom, the Building Code requires an emergency escape window: clear opening of at least 0.35 square metres, no dimension under 380 mm, sill no more than 1.5 m above the floor, and the window must open from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Most basement windows installed before egress rules tightened do not meet these numbers. That is the problem an egress install fixes.
The Five Pieces of the Work
- Exterior excavation — Yanmar SV40 digs 24 to 36 inches below grade, 12 inches past the planned window perimeter, navigating Markham side yards, irrigation, and landscape lights.
- Foundation cut — concrete saw, then chain-saw or hammer-drill to remove the section. Cuts wider than 36 inches need an engineer-stamped lintel design.
- Steel lintel and waterproof sill — load-bearing lintel above, sealed sill at the bottom.
- Window install — 36″×48″ or 36″×60″ sliding or casement unit, flashed and sealed in.
- Window well and drainage — see our Markham window well installation page; stone, weeping tile tie-in, and proper grading.
Markham Permits and What the City Looks For
Markham’s Building Department requires a building permit for any structural opening cut into a foundation wall. If the egress is part of legalizing a basement second suite, expect zoning review as well — confirm current Markham process before scheduling. Newer Cornell or Cathedraltown homes typically have poured concrete foundations that take an egress cut without drama. Older Markham homes with block foundations sometimes need additional reinforcement, which your engineer will detail. The site visit tells us which path your house is on.
Markham Pricing and Timeline
Most Markham egress installs run $3,500 to $7,500 per opening. The number depends on foundation type, depth, window size, soil and drainage conditions, and how far the new well needs to tie into the weeping tile. Per opening, plan on 5 to 10 working days from dig to backfill and inspection. Newer Unionville and Cornell builds with clear access wrap on the faster end; older Markham homes with heavier landscape or tight setbacks run longer.
Combining Egress with Other Basement Work
Most Markham legal-suite projects come in pieces. If the suite needs a separate entrance, a Markham walk-up basement conversion often shares the egress dig footprint, saving a mobilization. If headroom is the issue, we sequence egress into a Markham basement underpinning job so structural work and code compliance happen on one engineering file. Bundling saves money on both excavation and inspection rounds.
Why Markham Owners Pick OCM
Excavation, concrete cutting, and foundation work is our entire shop. You get one crew managing the dig, the cut, the well, the drainage, and the waterproof finish. Your designer’s engineer drawings drive our scope, and we leave a square watertight opening for the window installer or framer to take over. Call 416-317-3090, or look at neighbouring cities — Richmond Hill egress, Toronto egress. Full GTA service areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for an egress window in Markham?
Yes. Markham requires a building permit for any structural opening in a foundation wall. If the project is part of a second-suite legalization, expect zoning compliance review alongside. Engineer-stamped drawings of the lintel and opening size go in with the permit application.
My basement was finished by the builder without egress — is that normal?
Yes, common in newer Cornell and Unionville builds. Builders often finish a basement as recreation space without bedrooms, so egress was never required. The moment you put a bed in that room, the Code applies. We can retrofit the opening cleanly even into a fully finished basement.
What does the inside of the basement look like during construction?
Drywall and insulation come off the section of wall around the planned opening, exposing the foundation. The wall is open for several days. Once the window is set and sealed, your framer or finisher reinstates drywall, trim, and finish. We coordinate that handoff with your renovator.
Can you do multiple egress openings on one job?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper per opening than doing them separately. Excavation, equipment mobilization, and inspections get shared across openings. Common scenario in Markham: two bedrooms in the basement suite, each needing its own egress on the same exterior wall.
What’s the typical cost in Markham?
$3,500 to $7,500 per opening including excavation, foundation cut, steel lintel, window, and basic window well. Wider cuts, deeper digs, and complex drainage tie-ins push the number up. Firm quote after the site visit.
Book a Markham Site Visit
Call OCM Excavation at 416-317-3090 or use our free quote form. We will look at your Markham basement, talk through the foundation, and give you a real price and timeline.
Related Services in Markham
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- Egress Window Installation in North York
- Walk-Up Basement Conversion in Markham
- Basement Underpinning in Markham
- Window Well Installation in Markham
- Foundation Waterproofing in Markham
- All Service Areas
in Markham? Let’s talk.