Do egress windows in a basement add value?

Question

I just bought my first house that’s going to be a BRRRR. The basement has 2 bedrooms and a family room with small windows. The home was built in 1958 and is grandfathered in so egress windows are not necessary. However, If I add the egress windows, will it make the home worth more and would it be a good investment? The egress windows in my area would cost about $2500 each.

Theresa Harris · Answer

It wouldn't add value, but if you are using it as a rental, you might want to consider adding them from a safety perspective.

Whitney Hutten · Answer

@Bryce Andersen I agree in part.  Adding an egress to a basement window will allow the basement to be counted as "conforming" and it will be much easier for the appraiser to count it for you (bumping the value).  Then there is just the pure safety issue.  If there is no egress in the basement, the right thing to do is to put one in for safety reasons.  This will also allow a tenant or future buyer to say yes more readily due to the safety feature.

Michael Noto · Answer

If it is not required to make the unit legal, then I do not think this is the type of improvement that will add value.

Justin Reid · Answer

Egress windows would only add value in a situation where you would be required to have one in order to add a countable bedroom I would think. Since that is not your situation I'm going to say no, but from a landlord perspective I think they are a good idea for basement bedrooms.