"True North Contracting is very attentive to my requests, does outstanding work, cleans up their worksite, have a great attitude and no foul language. I am very happy with my new bathroom. I would hire them for another project and I may."
"After meeting with Bob, and being shown and explained the project necessary to take care of our crawl space issue, I was convinced they were the guys for the job, They arrived when they said they would, and finished in the time estimated. A job well done and highly recommended !!!"
"Did the work on schedule and when it ended up costing less, he sent me a check for the difference. As I was not able to be there or see the work, he assured me he'd be available if I had questions in the future. Thank You Corey"
"They did a wonderful job. The owner of this company was very thorough and gave me a good price. I like him a lot because they were very thoughtful, clean, neat, and I had nothing but good to say about them."
"He was very professional yet had a nice sense of humor. He did a great job at 1/2 of all of the other quotes we got to do the same job. I recommend him."
"We have had an intermittant water problem in our basement primarily when it rains heavily in the Winter. I was very happy with the quick response from Mike Sears when we initially called to ask about repairing a water leak problem in our basement. Mike explained how his proposed solution would work to alleviate the water problem. Mike left us with a detailed estimate and informational materials about the proposed repair. He also explained what wasn't included in the job such as tearing out the current sheetrock, insulation and framing from the wall. I did this part of the work and the reconstruction after the drain had been installed. We spoke to Mike a few days later, agreed to the price and set a date for the repair. On the scheduled date, two of Mikes employees arrived on time and began to prep for the repair. They did a good job of hanging plastic sheeting around their work area so that the dirt and dust would not get into the rest of the basement. We had discovered a crack in the basement wall which wasn't visible when the original estimate was given. Scott Lee gave us a written estimate to repair it with carbon-fiber cloth and sealant. While this was an unexpected expense, there was no reason to put in a drain and leave a crack in the wall. Taking out a basement floor with a jackhammer and installing a drain is a hard, dirty job. Scott and his co-worker completed this job in about 6 1/2 hours including the additional work for the wall crack. They did a good job of cleaning up the old concrete and all working materials Scott explained how the pump would work when the water table under the house rose. My only issue with quality was the uneven concrete finish work on the basement floor above the drain. Because this was leveled by hand, there is a somewhat noticeable depression in this area of the floor. Overall, I am happy with the work and looking forward to a dry basement when the rains come this spring.
Yes, egress windows can significantly add value to a home. By making basement and attic areas safer and more livable, they allow you to market these spaces as finished living areas, which increases your property's value. Many homeowners can recover the full installation cost, with some sources citing a return on investment of around 70%. The exact value added depends on your specific home, location, and adherence to local building codes. Beyond financial value, egress windows enhance functionality by adding natural light and comfort. They are also a crucial safety feature, often mandated by building codes to serve as an emergency exit.
Most modern egress windows installed in basements open outward into a window well, although some older homes have in-swing windows. Egress windows, like casement windows used in other parts of the home, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, may open inward, and these windows are often larger than outward-opening windows.
If improperly installed, an egress window can compromise your foundation’s structural integrity, so it’s important to work with a pro to ensure your foundation remains in good shape. Any money you may save on a DIY egress window installation may cost you in the long run if your foundation is damaged in the process.
You install a window well 8 to 12 inches deeper than the base of the window sill. After filling the well with drainage rock, the well should sit 3 inches below the bottom of the window. The top of the window well should also be at least 3 inches higher than the surface-grade ground. The window well should be about 6 inches wider than the window opening.
To find and hire a reputable contractor for an egress window installation, you should first research local professionals and then vet your top candidates. Start by searching for local contractors who specialize in this type of work, read their customer reviews, and examine their website and portfolio. Once you have a shortlist, contact them to ask key questions: Are you licensed and insured? What is your specific experience installing egress windows? Can you provide references from previous customers? Do you perform the work yourself or use subcontractors? What is the estimated project timeline and your current schedule? How do you handle payment?
The Berwick, ME homeowners’ guide to egress window services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Window wells bring more natural light into your basement and can act as a safe point of egress. Learn about window well replacement costs in this price guide.
Find out how much it will cost to replace a basement window in your home, based on the type and size of the window, whether it’s prefab or custom, and who does the installation.