The well is the part of an egress window you see from the yard. It holds back the dirt, drains water away and gives you room to climb out.
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Clear opening: at least 5 sq ft at or below grade (5.7 above), 24 in tall and 20 in wide.
Sill: no more than 44 in above the floor.
Window: opens from inside without keys or tools. A casement swings fully open.
Well: at least 36 in out from the wall and 36 in wide, 9 sq ft.
Ladder or steps: needed when the well is deeper than 44 in.
Drain: to the foundation drain tile, unless the soil drains well.
Cover (optional): must open from inside without a key, tool or extra force.
At least 36 inches out from the wall and 36 inches wide.
Room for the window to open all the way. A casement swings out into the well, so the well must clear the open sash.
Ladders and steps
A well deeper than 44 inches needs a ladder or steps that are attached for good and usable with the window fully open:
Rungs at least 12 inches wide.
At least 3 inches out from the wall.
No more than 18 inches apart, all the way up.
The ladder may stick into the required well space by up to 6 inches.
The code allows built-in steps instead of a ladder.
Drainage
The well has to drain into the home's foundation drain system or another approved way, unless the soil is well-drained sand or gravel.
Steel or timber
In one listed installer's posted packages (The Egress Window Company), a corrugated steel well is the standard and a timber well is the upgrade: $3,295 with steel and $4,095 with timber, same window. Ask what each installer offers.
Covers
Covers are optional under the Minnesota code. They keep out snow and debris (Angi), and DLI leaves it to homeowners to decide whether a well needs a guard against falls. If you add one, it must open or lift off from inside without a key, tool or extra force. DLI also says to think about how snow on the cover affects opening it.
Under a deck
An egress window can open under a deck or porch if it opens fully and leaves a path at least 36 inches high to the yard.
Listed alphabetically. No company pays to be listed; a paid spot would be labeled Featured. Facts come from each company's own website and Minnesota DLI license records, checked Nov 3, 2026. A listing is not an endorsement. How we list installers · Add your company
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Questions
Does an egress window well need a ladder?
Only if it is deeper than 44 inches. Then it needs a permanently attached ladder or steps that work with the window fully open. Rungs must be at least 12 inches wide, stand 3 inches off the wall and be no more than 18 inches apart.
Does a window well need a drain?
Yes, in most soils. The code says the well must drain into the foundation drainage system or another approved method. The exception is very well-drained sandy or gravel soil.
Are window well covers required?
No. Covers are optional in Minnesota. If you add one, it has to come off or open from inside without a key, tool or extra force, and it should not stop the window from being used as an exit.
Can a window well go under a deck?
Yes, if the window can open fully and there is a clear path at least 36 inches high from the well to the yard.
What does a window well cost?
It usually comes with the egress job. The Egress Window Company's posted packages show the difference: $3,295 with a corrugated steel well and $4,095 with a timber well, same window.
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