What is the Average Cost to Add an Exit/Walk Out to my Finished Basement?

Answered by LCD: I don't know if "average" helps much, becuase each case is unique and there arer topography, groundwater, surface and rain water, soil stability, and type of foundation wall construction differences in each case - but here are some VERY ROUGH ballpark answers to previous similar questions. You should be able to get a better preliminary cost estimate once your Architect does a conceptual design for it.

Be sure water is handled properly - assuming this will be a walk-up rather than a walk-out to level or lower ground level, because water accumulating (from rain, snowmelt, surface overflow, roof runoff, or groundwater) in the exit stairwell can easily get into the basement if not properly planned for. A walk-up can also cost 50-200% to the cost of a walk-out exit depending on whether a solid concrete "well" is needed, if it needs raised walls to prevent overflow or flooding entry, needs a bulkhead door (generally not allowed if this is the second emergency egress from the basement), etc.

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