Egress windows in Harrisburg and Tea
Escape windows for the fast-growing Lincoln County towns on the south and southwest side of Sioux Falls.
Harrisburg and Tea are Lincoln County suburbs just south and southwest of Sioux Falls, and both have grown remarkably fast. Harrisburg had 958 residents in 2000, 4,089 in 2010 and 6,732 at the 2020 census. Tea, laid out in 1894, went from 1,742 people in 2000 to 5,598 in 2020. That kind of growth means much of the housing in both towns is recent.
Why egress comes up so often here
Young subdivisions mean a lot of houses with unfinished basements and growing households. When a family needs another bedroom, the lower level is the obvious place, and the bedroom needs a code-size escape window and well. Poured walls are typical in newer construction, which keeps the cutting straightforward, but the rough-in plumbing, ductwork and electrical in an unfinished basement still have to be worked around.
What does Harrisburg require?
Harrisburg's Building Services Department requires a building permit before a basement is finished, with rough-in and final inspections from both the building and mechanical inspectors. The city says replacing an existing window with one of the same size doesn't need a permit, so a new or enlarged opening is a different matter. Harrisburg permits expire one year after they're issued. In Tea, check with the city before work starts.
Common jobs
- First and second egress windows for new basement bedrooms
- Upgrading builder-installed wells to larger ones
- Covers for wells in small yards near play areas
Common questions
Do you cover Lennox, Worthing and Canton too?
Yes. Call with your address and we'll connect you with a contractor that serves it.
Do I need a permit to finish my basement in Harrisburg?
Yes. Harrisburg requires a building permit before a basement is finished, with building and mechanical inspections.
Services in Harrisburg & Tea
- Egress window installationA complete escape window for a basement bedroom: excavation, cut, window, well and finish.
- Cutting and enlarging openingsSaw-cut poured or block foundation walls to create a new egress opening or enlarge an old window.
- Window wells and laddersNew and replacement egress wells sized for the window, with drainage and a ladder where needed.
- Window well coversClear, grated or custom covers that keep out snow, leaves and animals but still open from below.
- Basement bedroom code complianceBring an existing basement bedroom up to code for a remodel, rental or sale, with permit and inspection.
Nearby areas
Finishing the basement or adding a bedroom down there?
Call and get connected with a local contractor who cuts and installs egress windows.