Egress Window Installation in North York, ON | OCM Excavation

OCM Excavation installs egress windows across North York so basement bedrooms meet Ontario Building Code 9.7.1.3 and 9.9.10. We handle the full scope under one crew: exterior excavation, foundation saw-cut, steel lintel, waterproof sill, window install, and the window well that ties into your drainage. North York has one of the densest concentrations of post-war bungalow second-suite conversions in the GTA, and the egress opening is almost always the gating structural item on the file. Call 416-317-3090 for a North York site visit.

The Code Numbers You Need to Hit

If a basement room is used as a bedroom, Ontario’s Building Code requires an emergency escape window: clear opening of at least 0.35 square metres, no dimension less than 380 mm, sill no more than 1.5 m above the finished floor, and the window must open from inside without keys, tools, or special knowledge. The original windows in a 1950s North York bungalow are usually 12 by 24 inches. The egress install replaces them with a code-compliant opening cut into the foundation.

How the Install Goes Together

• Exterior excavation — Yanmar SV40 digs 24 to 36 inches below grade and 12 inches past the planned window perimeter. North York’s narrow side yards along Bathurst and Wilson make tight access work — the mini-excavator fits where a backhoe will not.
• Foundation cut — concrete saw scores the perimeter, chain-saw or hammer-drill removes the section. Any cut wider than 36 inches needs engineer-stamped lintel drawings.
• Steel lintel and waterproof sill — load-bearing steel above, sealed sill below.
• Window install — 36″×48″ or 36″×60″ sliding or casement unit, flashed and sealed.
• Window well and drainage — see our North York window well installation page; drainage stone tied to existing weeping tile.

Permits Under Toronto Building (North York District)

North York is part of the City of Toronto, so the permit is filed through Toronto Building’s North York district office. You need a building permit for the foundation cut and the window opening. If the egress is part of a second-suite registration, a zoning compliance review usually layers on. Confirm the current process with Toronto Building before booking — second-suite policy gets updated regularly. Most North York bungalows have poured concrete foundations that take an egress cut cleanly; some older block walls need engineering review first.

North York Pricing and Timeline

Most North York egress installs land between $3,500 and $7,500 per opening. Variables: foundation type, depth, window size, soil and access conditions, and drainage tie-in. Plan 5 to 10 working days per opening from dig to inspection close-out. Bungalows along Lawrence and Sheppard with clear side-yard access run faster. Tight semis near Yonge with shared driveways need more setup time, which we will scope on site.

Egress as Part of a Bigger North York Project

Most North York second-suite conversions package several pieces. If headroom is the limiter and you need to drop the floor, North York basement underpinning can be sequenced with the egress so both happen on one engineering file. If the suite needs its own entrance, a North York walk-up basement conversion shares mobilization with the egress dig. One crew, one trench, less restoration work for your landscaper.

Why North York Owners Choose OCM

Our entire shop is excavation, concrete cutting, and foundation work. The dig, the cut, the lintel set, the well, the drainage tie-in, the waterproof flashing — one crew, one project manager. We work to your designer’s engineer drawings and leave the opening square and dry so the window installer just sets the unit. Call 416-317-3090 or check neighbouring cities like Toronto egress and Vaughan egress. Full GTA service areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for an egress window in North York?

Yes. Toronto Building (North York district) requires a building permit for any structural cut in a foundation wall. If the egress is part of second-suite registration, expect zoning compliance review on top. Engineer-stamped lintel and opening drawings go in with the application.

My North York bungalow has tight side access — can you still work?

Usually yes. The Yanmar SV40 fits through gates as narrow as roughly 4 feet, so most North York semis and bungalows are workable. If access is impossible — say a fully enclosed side yard with no gate — we look at alternative routes or limited hand-dig. The site visit answers the question definitively.

Do you deal with gas lines or other utilities in the way?

We coordinate a utility locate before any dig — gas, hydro, water, and telecom. If a service runs through the dig zone we work around it or call the utility for a temporary relocate. This is standard scope, included in the project.

What if my basement is already fully finished?

We can still retrofit the egress. Drywall and insulation on the affected wall section come off so we can cut the foundation. After install, your renovator or framer reinstates the finish. Plan for some interior dust and a temporary wall opening. We protect the rest of the space.

Typical cost in North York?

$3,500 to $7,500 per opening for excavation, foundation cut, steel lintel, egress window, and basic well. Tighter access, deeper digs, wider cuts, and longer drainage runs push higher. Firm price comes after the site visit.

Book a North York Site Visit

Call OCM Excavation at 416-317-3090 or use our free quote form. We will look at the North York foundation, talk access and drainage, and give you a real number and timeline.

Related Services in North York

• Egress Window Installation in Vaughan
• Egress Window Installation in Toronto
• Egress Window Installation in Richmond Hill
• Egress Window Installation in Mississau
• Walk-Up Basement Conversion in North York
• Basement Underpinning in North York
• Window Well Installation in North York
• Foundation Waterproofing in North York
• All Service Areas