New Egress Window is an Eye Sore - Advice Needed

[FlickShagwell]

Putting an addition on the house. Contractor has been awesome so far. He’s had great ideas we love. He recommended an egress window for the new room in our basement. I googled it and came up with a bunch of pics like this:

And this:

So I was all about it. Those look great. They installed it today and I came home to this:

I called the guy and was like, “so you’re gonna push that down into the ground so all that steel isn’t exposed, right?” And he said that no, I wouldn’t be able to open my window if we did that. I don’t even get what he means by that, but aside from that, this is ugly. It looks like a horse tank leaned up against that brand new brick they just put in yesterday. He said obviously once we resodded the yard some of it would be concealed, but what’s that gonna hide, six inches?

For you home improvement types, what are my options here? No way is this gonna grow on me over the next twenty years or however long we live here. Can we get a smaller window well?

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Do you have to meet a city code? I used to incorporate them as we poured the foundations. Seems like 42" was the max the window still could be off the floor. Size of the window may also factor in. Not sure why anyone would have the top higher than the grade...

 

[markfromj]

Something’s wrong here. We have one. Looks like the second pic. I don’t get this.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Yeah that's not right. Blocks all the light and you'd need a ladder to get out...

 

[FlickShagwell]

The top of the window is around the sixth brick up from the bottom if you count up. If that helps.

Something’s wrong here. We have one. Looks like the second pic. I don’t get this.

And yeah, I agree.

 

[3boysmom]

I’m so confused. Why would there be an above ground structure?

 

[OILCHECKER]

Seems odd that the style/design wasn't discussed prior to the installation. Also, I don't think I've ever seen one that protrudes that far above the ground. What would be the point?

 

[Chishawk1425]

Putting an addition on the house. Contractor has been awesome so far. He’s had great ideas we love. He recommended an egress window for the new room in our basement. I googled it and came up with a bunch of pics like this:

And this:

So I was all about it. Those look great. They installed it today and I came home to this:

I called the guy and was like, “so you’re gonna push that down into the ground so all that steel isn’t exposed, right?” And he said that no, I wouldn’t be able to open my window if we did that. I don’t even get what he means by that, but aside from that, this is ugly. It looks like a horse tank leaned up against that brand new brick they just put in yesterday. He said obviously once we resodded the yard some of it would be concealed, but what’s that gonna hide, six inches?

For you home improvement types, what are my options here? No way is this gonna grow on me over the next twenty years or however long we live here. Can we get a smaller window well?

Wtf that's not correct. Sorry

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Is it an awning window that swings out into the well? Again is there code involved? Is the window like 48" tall?

 

[FlickShagwell]

Is it an awning window that swings out into the well? Again is there code involved? Is the window like 48" tall?

They haven’t put the window in yet. It’s definitely not that tall, though.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Putting an addition on the house. Contractor has been awesome so far. He’s had great ideas we love. He recommended an egress window for the new room in our basement. I googled it and came up with a bunch of pics like this:

And this:

So I was all about it. Those look great. They installed it today and I came home to this:

I called the guy and was like, “so you’re gonna push that down into the ground so all that steel isn’t exposed, right?” And he said that no, I wouldn’t be able to open my window if we did that. I don’t even get what he means by that, but aside from that, this is ugly. It looks like a horse tank leaned up against that brand new brick they just put in yesterday. He said obviously once we resodded the yard some of it would be concealed, but what’s that gonna hide, six inches?

For you home improvement types, what are my options here? No way is this gonna grow on me over the next twenty years or however long we live here. Can we get a smaller window well?

Holy crap…don’t know what to tell you. That’s nuts.

Only thing I can think of is plant shrubs around that monstrosity.

If you gave them the pictures you just shared they must be on crack. Not sure how they correct that work 😕

 

[3boysmom]

Is your contractor a native English speaker? Is it possible they are misunderstanding your question and once the window is installed they will remove the water tank? I’m grasping at straws here.

editing because I’m still dumbfounded. I mean, an egress window’s purpose is to allow you to get out in case of emergency right? Like, how is that a help? Is it bigger than it looks? Because it is not only unsightly but looks like it’d be a tighter fit getting out than the first 2 photos

 

[FlickShagwell]

Is your contractor a native English speaker? Is it possible they are misunderstanding your question and once the window is installed they will remove the water tank? I’m grasping at straws here.

He is. And he did our neighbors house and did incredible work. He comes well-reviewed. I’m pretty sure this is what he meant to do, which… just… f*ck.

 

[FlickShagwell]

Holy crap…don’t know what to tell you. That’s nuts.

Only thing I can think of is plant shrubs around that monstrosity.

If you gave them the pictures you just shared they must be on crack. Not sure how they correct that work 😕

I never gave him the pics I shared above. He said he wanted to do an egress window, I googled it, found those and signed off. What he did looks nothing like anything I can find on Google image.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

Unless I am not understanding something here, the metal enclosure should be at least partially buried. There are city codes that govern what clearances are necessary to be a legit egress window and I don't know what city you are in.

But a shovel and a couple of hours'ish of digging should get at least 2/3 of that below ground IMO. I agree, that does look weird as is.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Sawzall it down to ground level when contractor is done ?

side your entire home in horizontal corrugated steel and nobody will notice this window.

 

[Scott559]

If I were a contractor I would be ashamed to have my name attached to that craftsmanship.

 

[Moral]

You can commission me to paint a moral mural on that.

 

[HawkOptimist]

Put some shrubs around it and call it a day.

Seriously, why no blueprint or some other sort of drawing for you to look at and approve ahead of time? When having any home remodeling done, I want to see the contractors ideas in design form before they do the actual work. Otherwise you run into the problem you’re now faced with.

 

[Whatsgoingonwitgyouguys0190]

It looks like he just put in a smoker. No escape in case of fire and you just sit there screaming until you’ve got a nice bark on you.

 

[waterboy4582]

How much of the well is below grade?

 

[Whatsgoingonwitgyouguys0190]

How much of the well is below grade?

The whole thing is an F. Come on, Bobby.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

 

[waterboy4582]

The whole thing is an F. Come on, Bobby.

Not good looks like someone ordered the wrong well. A call to the city building department to get minimum distance above grade should solve the problem

 

[Whatsgoingonwitgyouguys0190]

Not good looks like someone ordered the wrong well. A call to the city building department to get minimum distance above grade should solve the problem

My dad put in wells that looked similar when they came in but only like a 1” lip is above the white rock around them after install so that’s my guess

 

[seminole97]

OP is going to die in a fire.

 

[waterboy4582]

My dad put in wells that looked similar when they came in but only like a 1” lip is above the white rock around them after install so that’s my guess

Yep. Changing that one wouldn’t take much a little bit of shovel work

 

[FlickShagwell]

Unless I am not understanding something here, the metal enclosure should be at least partially buried.

Oh, a lot of that enclosure is buried. The thing is like 6 feet tall.

 

[LuciousBDragon]

Putting an addition on the house. Contractor has been awesome so far. He’s had great ideas we love. He recommended an egress window for the new room in our basement. I googled it and came up with a bunch of pics like this:

And this:

So I was all about it. Those look great. They installed it today and I came home to this:

I called the guy and was like, “so you’re gonna push that down into the ground so all that steel isn’t exposed, right?” And he said that no, I wouldn’t be able to open my window if we did that. I don’t even get what he means by that, but aside from that, this is ugly. It looks like a horse tank leaned up against that brand new brick they just put in yesterday. He said obviously once we resodded the yard some of it would be concealed, but what’s that gonna hide, six inches?

For you home improvement types, what are my options here? No way is this gonna grow on me over the next twenty years or however long we live here. Can we get a smaller window well?

This is what happens when you let the contractor PIIYB prior to job completion. You’re supposed to PIIHB dumbass.

 

[Jan Itor]

Karma OP

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

I never gave him the pics I shared above. He said he wanted to do an egress window, I googled it, found those and signed off. What he did looks nothing like anything I can find on Google image.

That sucks…unfortunately you have to be very specific apparently. Googled it just now and see nothing like that…should be ground level and below…

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

Oh, a lot of that enclosure is buried. The thing is like 6 feet tall.

Yikes, OK, he got one that is too tall. I would have him change it out.

 

[bhawk24bob]

the primary purpose of an egress window is having the ability to egress from the window. How the hell is somebody supposed to get out of that?

 

[Hawki97]

You're West O right? it doesn't need to be that tall from a code perspective. Cut it back, put some bushes around it that @LuteHawk would be proud of, call it good.

 

[FlickShagwell]

You're West O right? it doesn't need to be that tall from a code perspective. Cut it back, put some bushes around it that @LuteHawk would be proud of, call it good.

Midtown, fool.

Just fired off a very reasonable but firm email. Told him “if the plan all along was to have so much exposed metal above grade, then we have to come up with a better one.” Will update as new developments happen.

 

[red/green hawk]

I never gave him the pics I shared above. He said he wanted to do an egress window, I googled it, found those and signed off. What he did looks nothing like anything I can find on Google image.

Just start by telling him you don't like it. If he's well reviewed he will not want the customer being disappointed even if he thinks you're nuts.

There is no way it should be that tall. Maybe a 1/4 of the height...maybe.

 

[Hawki97]

Midtown, fool.

Just fired off a very reasonable but firm email. Told him “if the plan all along was to have so much exposed metal above grade, then we have to come up with a better one.” Will update as new developments happen.

Ah, shit...not sure then. Just helped a buddy closer to CO by about 6 miles than you do a project - and that was definitely not how we did it and we were within code. Can't be much different, but who knows!

How's that "Catch" photo looking in the basement? Thats why you need that egress window. To save all the Hawkeye gear!

 

[FlickShagwell]

How's that "Catch" photo looking in the basement?

Really ties my Hawkeye Room together! Was that you that sent it? I love it. I got a nice frame for it and everything. Under autographed pics of Kevin Kasper, AJ Epenesa, Marv Cook, and ISM and sandwiched between my 03 and 04 seniors posters.

 

[Hawki97]

Really ties my Hawkeye Room together! Was that you that sent it? I love it. I got a nice frame for it and everything. Under autographed pics of Kevin Kasper, AJ Epenesa, Marc Cook, and ISM and sandwiched between my 03 and 04 seniors posters.

Yup, I had a few of them and remember you were looking for one. I am down to two left - but finally engineered a spot for one in the home office. Glad yours is still in a good spot. Like I said, get that egress window...gotta escape with the Hawkeye gear if there's ever a fire. The wife will find her way out!

 

[FlickShagwell]

Yup, I had a few of them and remember you were looking for one. I am down to two left - but finally engineered a spot for one in the home office. Glad yours is still in a good spot. Like I said, get that egress window...gotta escape with the Hawkeye gear if there's ever a fire. The wife will find her way out!

Well thanks once again. I’ll send pics the next time I’m down there. Kind of a bitch to get to at the moment since half the house is a construction site.