Professional Foundation Cutting Services

Your basement needs light, air, and emergency exits. Whether creating legal bedrooms, adding rental suite entrances, or simply brightening dark spaces, cutting foundation openings transforms basements. But this isn’t demolition - it’s precision structural work requiring expertise.

Cutting concrete foundations wrong leads to cracks, settlement, and structural failure. We’ve seen DIY disasters and poor contractor work that compromised entire homes. Done properly, new openings enhance your home while maintaining - even improving - structural integrity.

Our window and door opening services include:

• Egress window creation for legal bedrooms
• Standard window installation and enlargement
• Door openings for separate entrances
• Structural assessment and engineering
• Proper headers and load transfer
• Complete finishing and waterproofing
• Permit handling and inspections
• Window well construction if needed

Every opening is engineered specifically for your foundation type, load requirements, and intended use.

Door Openings for Separate Entrances

Creating Independent Access

Adding doors to foundations enables:

• Legal basement apartments
• Private family suites
• Home office entrances
• Direct garage access
• Garden level walkouts

Door openings require more structural consideration than windows:

• Larger spans need bigger headers
• Load paths must be maintained
• Waterproofing is critical
• Proper landings required
• Step construction often needed

Our Door Opening Process:

1. Determine optimal location
2. Verify no critical utilities in path
3. Install temporary supports
4. Cut opening in controlled sections
5. Install engineered steel header
6. Pour concrete sill
7. Waterproof entire opening
8. Frame for door installation

Whether creating a full walkout entrance or simple access door, structural integrity comes first.

Structural Considerations

It’s Not Just Cutting Concrete

Foundation walls carry tremendous loads. Improper cutting causes:

• Cracks radiating from openings
• Settlement above windows
• Water infiltration points
• Compromised wall strength
• Door/window operation problems

Our Structural Approach:

Load Analysis We calculate loads above each opening:

• Dead loads from structure
• Live loads from occupancy
• Snow loads on roof
• Lateral earth pressure
• Point loads from beams

Header Design Every opening needs proper support:

• Steel lintels sized for loads
• Adequate bearing on each side
• Proper attachment to wall
• Corrosion protection
• Thermal break considerations

Reinforcement Requirements Foundation openings often need:

• Additional rebar around openings
• Crack control measures
• Corner reinforcement
• Proper development lengths
• Connection to existing steel

Crack Prevention Strategic cutting prevents problems:

• Score lines guide any cracking
• Staged cutting maintains support
• Proper curing of repairs
• Control joints where needed

This engineering ensures lasting, problem-free openings.

Waterproofing New Openings

Every Opening Needs Protection

Cut openings become water entry points without proper waterproofing:

Window Wells Excavated window wells require:

• Proper drainage to weeping tile
• Gravel base for water management
• Well walls (galvanized, concrete, or plastic)
• Covers to shed rain
• Integration with foundation drainage

Membrane Systems All openings get comprehensive waterproofing:

• Self-adhering membranes
• Proper flashing details
• Sill pan protection
• Corner reinforcement
• Connection to existing systems

Drainage Integration Water needs somewhere to go:

• Window well drains
• Connection to sump pump systems
• Positive grading away
• Proper discharge points

Poor waterproofing turns improvements into water problems. We ensure lasting dry openings.

Costs and Value

Window and Door Opening Pricing

Egress Windows:

• Basic opening cut: $2,000-3,000
• With window well: $3,500-5,000
• Including window: $4,000-6,000
• Complex situations: $6,000+

Standard Windows:

• Small window addition: $1,500-2,500
• Enlargement project: $2,000-3,500
• Multiple windows: $1,200-2,000 each
• Picture windows: $3,000-5,000

Door Openings:

• Basic door cut: $3,000-4,500
• With stairs/landing: $8,000-15,000
• Full entrance systems: $15,000+
• Interior doors: $2,000-3,000

Factors Affecting Price:

• Foundation thickness
• Reinforcement required
• Waterproofing complexity
• Well construction needs
• Permit requirements
• Access limitations

Value Added:

• Legal bedroom: +$15,000-25,000 home value
• Bright basement: 5-10% property increase
• Rental potential: $200-400/month premium
• Safety compliance: Insurance requirement
• Quality of life: Immeasurable

Returns typically exceed investment within 2-3 years.

Integration with Other Projects

During Underpinning If underpinning your basement, it’s the perfect time for openings. The structure is already supported, engineering is involved, and you’re already in construction mode.

With Waterproofing Coordinate openings with waterproofing projects. Doing both ensures:

• Integrated water management
• Single excavation
• Comprehensive protection
• Cost savings

Before Renovations Add windows and doors before finishing:

• Easier construction access
• Proper sizing for layouts
• No refinishing required
• Dust/debris not an issue

Creating Suites Combine with walkout construction for complete apartment creation:

• Separate entrance
• Egress compliance
• Natural light
• Ventilation requirements

Safety and Quality

Professional Standards Matter

During Construction:

• Dust control systems
• Temporary supports installed
• Utilities protected
• Safe work practices
• Daily cleanup

Long-Term Performance:

• No cracks from openings
• Windows/doors operate smoothly
• No water infiltration
• Proper insulation
• Professional appearance

Our Guarantees:

• Structural integrity maintained
• Waterproofing warranty
• Code compliance certified
• Professional installation
• Ongoing support

Quality shows in details and decades of performance.