Table of Contents
- Average Basement Entrance Addition Cost
- What Is a Basement Entrance?
- Basement Entrance Addition Cost Breakdown
- Basement Entrance Addition Cost by Type
- Factors That Determine Basement Entrance Costs
- Additional Costs and Considerations Associated With Basement Entrance Additions
- DIY Basement Entrance Addition vs. Hiring a Professional
- How to Save Money on Basement Entrance Additions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An exterior basement entrance can open up an entire level of your home to the outdoors. Many homeowners add new basement entrances as part of the larger cost to finish a basement. Exterior entrances add more living space, up resale value and create opportunities for rental income. The average basement entrance addition is $7,650, though costs can range from $2,125 to $11,000, depending on the type of entrance you want to install and the scope of the project.
Key Takeaways
- Installing an outdoor basement entrance provides homeowners with an alternative access point to the basement, enhancing its functionality and convenience. It typically costs $7,650 to install a basement door entrance on average.
- There are two main types of basement entrance doors: walkout exits, which provide direct outdoor access and require foundation restructuring. Bulkhead doors, which are less expensive, involve excavation and provide enclosed access to finished basements through unfinished areas.
- Several factors impact the total cost of installing a basement entrance, including the age of your home, location, materials, foundation strength, door style and patio/staircase style.
Average Basement Entrance Addition Cost
The two major outdoor basement entrance types are bulkhead doors and full walkouts. Bulkheads involve fewer costs and are handy when you need access to an unfinished cellar, coming in at about $3,200 on average.
Walkouts are the type that most people picture when talking about a basement entrance, complete with full traditional doorways, surrounding patios, windows and more. The average walkout basement cost is $7,650. Some of the most significant cost factors are prep and excavation around the home’s exterior, cutting a hole into the foundation and building a patio or staircase at the entrance.
Basement Entrance Addition Cost | |
---|---|
Average Cost | $7,650 |
Highest Cost | $11,000 |
Lowest Cost | $2,125 |
What Is a Basement Entrance?
An outdoor basement entrance is an exterior access door that lets you enter a home’s basement without going through the main entrance. This type of entrance is usually mounted in a foundation wall with a weatherproof frame and a lockable latch.
Having a separate basement entryway can make a basement more useful. Homeowners often add basement entrances when finishing a basement for additional living space.
Basement Entrance Addition Cost Breakdown
Some major costs included in a basement entrance addition include digging and cutting the home’s foundation, framing the entrance door and installing a new patio.
Door Framing Cost
Framing for a basement entry door can cost $350 to $800, including the cost of the building permit that will likely be required.
Foundation Preparation and Labor Cost
Several areas around a home’s exterior need to be prepared before a new entrance door can be installed. Contractors will need to dig around the home’s foundation so the ground is level with the bottom of the basement. They’ll also need to cut directly into the concrete wall to make room for a new door. Expect to pay between $825 and $3,250 for the materials and labor involved at this stage.
Cost to Add a Patio
If your basement entrance exits onto a patio, the cost to build the patio itself can be as little as $500 if you keep things simple. However, the average ground-level patio can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,400, with more complex builds including features like a roof over the basement entrance.
Cost to Remove an Existing Basement Entrance Door
Your home may already have an old bulkhead entrance door that you wish to upgrade. Removal of the existing door can cost between $400 and $600.
Basement Entrance Addition Cost by Type
There are two main types of basement entrance doors a homeowner might choose to install. Each allows separate exterior access but has different uses, appearances and price points.
Cost of a Walkout Exit
A basement walkout exit costs anywhere from $2,500 to $11,000. This type of basement door entrance opens directly onto the ground level outdoors, often with a patio or deck. They’re common in homes built on a slope. Installing these exits usually involves restructuring a home’s foundation and exterior to accommodate a new door frame.
Cost of a Bulkhead Door
Adding a bulkhead door costs anywhere from $2,125 to $4,250, significantly less than the typical basement walkout. Installation involves excavating and cutting into the foundation so a set of stairs can lead from a metal doorway down to the basement. Bulkheads are often used as an enclosed basement entrance, accessing a finished basement through unfinished areas.
Type of Entrance | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
---|---|---|---|
Walkout exit | $2,500 | $11,000 | $7,650 |
Bulkhead door | $2,125 | $4,250 | $3,200 |
There are pros and cons to each type of basement entrance.
Walkout Exit
Pros:
- Lets in lots of air and natural light
- Creates additional indoor and outdoor living space
- Increases home value
Cons:
- Complex installation
- Higher upfront costs
Bulkhead Door
Pros:
- Provides easy basement access from outdoors
- Simpler installation
- Lower upfront costs
Cons:
- Doesn’t let in any light
- No additional usable living space
Factors That Determine Basement Entrance Costs
Besides the type of entrance that you choose, there are several other factors that will impact your total cost of installing a basement entrance. Some of these factors are as follows:
Age of Home
Your contractors may face construction challenges related to the age of your home. Older homes often require additional reinforcement or repair before you can do major renovations.
Location
Where you live can be a factor in the cost of your basement entrance construction. Ground density varies from region to region, and denser soil can sometimes make excavation more difficult and time-consuming. You may also be required to pay for specific permits for excavation or renovation in your local jurisdiction.
Materials
The materials involved in installing a basement entrance include the door and the walkout frame. If you’re adding a patio, deck or staircase outside of the entrance, you’ll likely need concrete, brick or stone pavers to build it.
Foundation Strength and Condition
The condition of your foundation dramatically impacts the cost of a basement entrance. For example, if you already have an above-ground foundation wall that’s in good shape, you’ll need to pay for very little excavation before cutting into it to add a door. On the other hand, extensive digging will come at a higher cost.
Style of Door
Basement entrance doors can range from highly secure windowless metal doors to glass sliding or French doors that let in lots of natural light. The style of door you choose will impact the price you pay for materials and installation labor. For example, glass doors are a common choice with much higher costs than other door styles.
Style of Patio and Stairs
If your basement entrance includes a surrounding patio or staircase, your chosen materials will impact your project cost. Poured patios tend to cost the least per square foot. If you choose to make a statement with brick, concrete pavers or stone, expect higher material costs and additional labor for installation.
Additional Costs and Considerations Associated With Basement Entrance Additions
As you plan and budget for a basement entrance addition, you may be confronted with a few additional costs.
Waterproofing
If your basement entrance leads into a livable space, you’ll need to waterproof the basement, foundation and entrance. Basement waterproofing costs anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000.
Permits
Most municipalities have permitting requirements for excavating your yard or cutting into your home’s foundation. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,200 for these permits.
Finishing Costs
Many homeowners install a basement entrance addition as part of a large basement finishing project. Basement finishing can include new drywall and insulation, electrical wiring and outlets, lighting and flooring among other costs.
Sump Pump Installation
To ensure your walkout basement won’t flood in even the worst weather, you can install a sump pump system that collects water from outside and discharges it away from your home. Sump pump installation costs range from $600 to $1,800, which includes the pump itself and the installation labor.
DIY Basement Entrance Addition vs. Hiring a Professional
While there are some aspects of a basement entrance addition that you can DIY, most of the work will require professional help from structural engineers, door installers, patio contractors and more. If you’re simply adding or switching out a pre-hung door in a pre-cut space, you can DIY the entire job for less than $100 in some cases.
Otherwise, expect new basement entrance projects to involve surveying your property, acquiring permits, installing drainage, pouring a new foundation, building door frames, insulating, installing drywall and testing the door’s structural integrity. Once the entrance is complete, you can DIY the finishing work by installing your own trim and painting the surrounding walls.
How to Save Money on Basement Entrance Additions
You likely won’t avoid the cost of labor for an intensive project like a basement entrance addition. Instead, you could save on multiple basement-related projects by combining them into one. Some basement remodel ideas include:
- Adding a deck or patio outside of the new entrance to create usable outdoor living space
- Finishing a basement bedroom, home office or entertainment room
- Turning a finished basement into a rental unit with a small kitchenette and full bathroom
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed two providers and five cost databases on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much value does a walkout basement add?
A walkout basement is a high-ROI home improvement project that usually adds about 10% to 20% to a home’s value, compared to similar homes without a walkout basement. The added value comes from the additional living space, privacy and views that the walkout entrance helps create. Adding a screen to your walkout basement door can also create better air circulation and cool your home in the summer without relying too heavily on air conditioning.
What are the disadvantages of a walkout basement?
Walkout basement disadvantages include a risk of water damage, safety concerns and difficulty recouping costs. Basements can flood, and you’ll need to waterproof and maintain yours properly to avoid costly damage. Safety risks come from additional access points for intruders, so you’ll want to secure all basement windows and doors. Finally, while walkout basements can increase your home’s appraisal value, that often doesn’t reflect its full market value.
Can you add a walkout to an existing basement?
Yes, you can add a walkout to an existing basement as long as there’s enough room for an opening in one wall. An exterior entrance requires access via stairs, ramps or a patio area. Unless you’re converting a bulkhead to a walkout, your project may require excavating around your foundation wall. You may also need to do some interior remodeling. A structural engineer can evaluate your foundation, framing and insulation to ensure they’re up to code before building.