How much does a window opening in a concrete wall cost in Ottawa?

2026-01-15 — Ottawa-Gatineau

It's THE question we get asked most. Short answer: between $500 and $1,500 for cutting a standard window opening in a poured concrete foundation in Ottawa-Gatineau. Here's what moves the price.

Price factors

1. Wall thickness and type

An 8" poured foundation cuts faster than a 10" or 12" reinforced wall. Concrete block is often the cheapest to open. Stone (older downtown Ottawa or Hull homes) takes longer.

2. Opening size

A code-compliant egress window is roughly 30" × 48" — the bigger the opening, the more concrete to cut and haul out. The removed block often weighs several hundred pounds.

3. Accessibility

Clear workspace outside = faster = cheaper. A sloped yard, a deck above the window, or landscaping to protect adds time.

4. Possible extras

• Steel lintel (required for wide openings): +$150 to $400
• Excavation and window well: usually a separate contract
• The window installation itself: done by a window installer, not the cutter

A real window opening project

How to save

• Bundle the work: two windows the same day cost less than two visits
• Clear access before the contractor arrives
• Send photos with your quote request — avoids price surprises

What's included in the price — and what isn't

A quote for "cutting a window opening" normally covers the layout and marking of the opening, the cut itself (wall saw or hand saw, wet-cut to control dust), breaking the block free, and removing the concrete from the site. It usually does not include excavation of the exterior, the window well, the window itself, interior finishing around the new opening, or the building permit. Ask for these items to be listed separately on the quote so two contractors can be compared line by line.

Poured concrete, block or stone: what changes

Most homes built in Ottawa and Gatineau after the 1970s have poured concrete foundations, 8" to 10" thick. A wall saw on a track makes a straight, clean cut in a couple of hours. Concrete block foundations, common in bungalows from the 1950s and 1960s, are hollow and cut faster, but the top course must be capped and a lintel is almost always needed. Stone or rubble foundations in older neighbourhoods such as the Glebe, Sandy Hill or Old Hull are irregular: the opening is often chipped and reframed rather than sawn, and the price is quoted after a site visit.

How long does the job take?

For a standard egress opening in poured concrete with clear access, count on half a day on site: about an hour of setup (track, water supply, protection), one to two hours of cutting, then removal and cleanup. Two windows on the same house generally fit in one day, which is why bundling them lowers the cost per opening.

Can it be done in winter?

Yes. Wet cutting works below freezing as long as the water line is kept from freezing, and the interior side is protected from cold air once the block comes out. The main winter constraint is the excavation in front of the wall, which is harder in frozen ground. Many homeowners book the cut in late fall or early spring to get the best availability.

Frequently asked questions

Does cutting an opening weaken the foundation?

A properly sized opening with a lintel above it does not compromise a residential foundation. Openings wider than about 4 feet, or several openings close together, should be reviewed by an engineer — the permit process in Ottawa or Gatineau will tell you when that applies.

Can the old small window simply be enlarged downward?

That is the most common request: keep the top of the existing opening and cut down and sideways to reach egress dimensions. It saves the lintel in many cases because the load path above the window already exists.

Who takes the concrete block away?

The cutting contractor removes it. A 30" × 48" block of 8" concrete weighs roughly 900 lb, so it is broken into pieces or lifted out with equipment and hauled away with the slurry.

Ready for an exact number? The quote is free, no obligation.