Water at the bottom of the stairs
Rain and melting snow collect in a walkout. We plan the bottom drain before construction begins.
Basement Walkouts and Separate Entrances
A basement walkout or separate entrance can be an above-grade side door or an excavated entrance below ground. Your ground levels, side-yard space and city rules determine the options and cost.
- Written scopebefore work starts
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- Permits & inspectionscoordinated
- Serving Brampton& the GTA
MikeOwner, KDM
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- A written, itemized scope
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How much does a separate basement entrance cost?
An above-grade basement entrance usually costs about $2,000 to $3,000. A below-grade walkout or walk-up usually costs about $10,000 to $12,000 because it needs excavation, walls, stairs and drainage.
- Above grade: a new door off the existing stair landing
- Below grade: excavation, walls, stairs, a guard and drainage
- In Brampton, the entrance needs a 1.2 metre clear path
- Both need a building permit
GTA basements
Whether the entrance is above or below grade changes the price the most. Above grade usually runs around $2,000 to $3,000. Below grade usually runs around $10,000 to $12,000.
- Written scope
- Permits coordinated
Basement entrance options: side door or walkout?
These are the two usual entrance options for a basement unit. A site check shows which one works for your home.
| Side door above grade | Walkout below grade | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A new outside door at the existing stair landing, above ground level | An excavated stairwell beside or behind the home, leading to a basement-level door |
| Main work | Cut, frame and support the opening, then install the door and small landing | Excavation, retaining walls, stairs, a guard, drainage at the bottom and the door |
| Typical cost | About $2,000 to $3,000 | About $10,000 to $12,000 |
| Watch for | In Brampton, a side-yard landing must be under 0.6 m high and no larger than 0.9 m by 0.9 m | Side-yard setbacks. Many below-grade entrances end up in the backyard |
People use walkout and walk-up in different ways. Here, walkout refers to an entrance excavated below ground level.
Brampton rules for basement walkouts and separate entrances
Check Brampton's zoning requirements for two-unit homes before choosing where to put the entrance.
1A 1.2 metre clear path to the entrance
Keep an unobstructed path at least 1.2 metres wide to a side or rear entrance. The full path must be on your property.
2Small landings for side doors
If an above-grade side door is the main unit entrance, its landing must be under 0.6 metres above ground and no larger than 0.9 metres in either direction. Steps are required on both sides.
3Access through the garage or a shared vestibule
Where an outside entrance will not fit, access through a garage or shared interior vestibule is also allowed.
4A permit for below-grade entrances
Brampton provides a dedicated below-grade entrance permit package outlining the required drawings.
Below-grade entrance permit package5Other GTA cities
Entrance rules and permits vary across Mississauga, Toronto and other GTA cities. We review the requirements for your city during the site visit.
How we build a basement walkout
- 1
Site check
We measure ground levels, side-yard space and path width to determine the door location.
- 2
Drawings and permit
We submit the drawings to the city as part of the permit application.
- 3
Excavation
We excavate the stairwell beside or behind your home.
- 4
Walls, stairs and drainage
We build the retaining walls and stairs and install the bottom drain.
- 5
Opening and door
We cut and support the foundation opening, then fit the door.
- 6
Guard, inspection and cleanup
We install the guard and railing, arrange the city inspection and restore the yard.
Basement entrance problems we check before building
A path that is too narrow
Fences, air conditioners or gas meters may obstruct the required 1.2 metre path. We measure the space before designing the entrance.
An unsupported opening
A door opening in the foundation needs suitable support above it. That support must be planned in the drawings before cutting begins.
Basement walkout and separate entrance costs
Ground levels have the largest effect on entrance costs. We quote below-grade entrances after checking the site.
- 1Above or below gradeExcavation, retaining walls and drainage make a walkout more work than an above-grade door.
- 2Depth and number of stepsThe deeper the basement, the longer the stairwell needs to be.
- 3Where it goesLimited side-yard space, fences or utilities may mean placing the entrance in the backyard.
Written scope
Typical line items
- Side door above grade
- About $2,000 to $3,000
- Walkout below gradeExcavation, walls, stairs, drainage, guard and door
- About $10,000 to $12,000
- Drawings and permit
- Quoted after site visit
You receive a written, itemized quote before work begins.
How the entrance fits into a legal basement unit
The entrance is one part of the city's checks for a legal basement apartment. Read about the other work on these pages.
Legal basement renovation in Brampton
Build a registered rental apartment from an unfinished basement.
Legal basement renovationLegalizing a finished basement
See which legal-unit requirements a finished basement may be missing. Legalization usually starts around $40,000 and can cost less when more requirements are already met.
Legalize a basementWhat homeowners say about working with Mike's team
Based on 60+ Google reviews
4.9
They are professional, detail oriented and just an amazing bunch of people to work with. Mike is very energetic and always willing to help you out in every possible way. The work quality is great and the timing is the best part, he finished my basement side entrance work before he promised.
Sagar JaniGTA
Basement side entrance
Working with KDM has been a complete pleasure. The entire team was friendly, prompt, efficient, and thorough. They under promised and over delivered. I got a beautiful basement that I am completely happy with in a timeframe that was barely an inconvenience. They cleaned before, during, and after so it was easy to move into the space.
Melissa JansenGTA
Basement remodeling
I hired Mike to renovate my basement, and I could not be happier with the results. The work was absolutely phenomenal, every detail was executed with care, professionalism, and top notch craftsmanship.
Sahil GosaliaGTA
Basement remodeling
Basement entrance questions
How much does it cost to add a separate entrance to a basement?
An above-grade entrance usually costs about $2,000 to $3,000. A below-grade walkout usually costs about $10,000 to $12,000 and includes excavation, walls, stairs and drainage. We provide a quote after assessing the site.
Do I need a permit for a basement entrance?
Yes. A building permit is required to cut a new exterior doorway or excavate a walkout. Brampton has a dedicated permit package for below-grade entrances.
Can the entrance go in the side yard in Brampton?
Yes, if it meets zoning rules and has a clear 1.2 metre path on your property. A narrow side yard usually means putting the entrance at the rear.
Will a walkout let water into the basement?
Properly planned drainage keeps collected rain and snowmelt from entering the basement. The drain at the foot of the stairs is included in the design from the beginning.
Is a walkout the same as a walk-up?
The terms are often used interchangeably for an outside stairwell leading down to a basement door. An above-grade side door is a separate option that involves less work.
Find the right basement entrance for your home
Book a site visit. We measure ground levels and the access path, review city requirements and give you a written scope.
- Written, itemized scope
- Permits coordinated
- Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto
