Doors and Windows - Window well

I have to install a window well around a basement egress window.
Please help!
I had a landscaping guy who said he could do it, but upped his price and then backed out. Now we plan to install it ourselves...any direction would be helpful!

First, check with your loacl bldg. dept. and find out EXACTLY how they want it done. They will tell you the minimum sizes -- how wide it has to be as well as how much depth from the window wall to the outside wall of the well is required.

They will probably require that the walls of the well be concrete, you may have to have rebar or similar reinforcing in them, and they will need to be a minimum thickness.

You want to do it right the first time. REDOING it would be costly!!

You can build a window well out of retaining wall block. Check out the sites for Anchor Wall Systems, Allan Block, Keystone and Versalok for how to lay the units. They may not have an example for a window well, but the process is the same as for a retaining wall. To footings are used and no rebar or concrete required.

Depending on the depth, the set-back ledges may qualify for steps.

I saw a well built built this way for a basement that used a patio door for egress.

Dick