Cutting a Patio Door Opening in a Foundation Wall: Cost & Steps (2026)

2026-08-28 — Ottawa-Gatineau

A finished basement with direct walk-out access to the backyard — it's the project that turns a dark basement into real living space. Short answer: budget $2,000 to $4,500 for cutting the opening and removing the concrete in Ottawa-Gatineau. The complete project (lintel, door, finishing) typically lands between $6,000 and $15,000. Here's the breakdown.

2026 price grid (Ottawa-Gatineau)

• Cutting a single door opening (± 3 ft wide): $2,000 – $3,500
• Double patio door opening (5–6 ft): $2,500 – $4,500
• Steel lintel + installation: $800 – $2,000 (mandatory above the opening)
• Engineer's report (if required by the city): $500 – $1,500
• Building permit: roughly $150 – $400 depending on the municipality
• The patio door itself + installation: $2,500 – $6,000 (by your window/door contractor)

Our part — the cutting — includes diamond sawing of the wall, breaking and removing the concrete, and disposal. An 8 to 10-inch thick foundation wall means 1,500 to 2,500 lb of concrete to haul out: that's why a door costs more than a window.

Why a door costs more than a window

• More concrete to cut and remove. A door opening drops all the way to the basement floor — often twice the surface area of a window.
• Mandatory lintel. You're opening nearly the full height of the wall: the steel lintel carrying the load above is not optional.
• Flush cut at the footing level. The bottom of the opening is cut at slab level, which takes floor cuts on top of the wall cuts.
• Exterior excavation. On the yard side, you need to dig down to the footing and plan proper drainage — otherwise your new door becomes a water intake.

The steps of a walk-out project

• 1. Permit and plans. Ottawa and Gatineau both require a permit to open a load-bearing foundation wall. We detailed the process here: foundation wall opening permits, Ottawa vs Gatineau.
• 2. Utility locating. Gas, electrical, water, sewer: everything running in or near the wall gets located before we saw.
• 3. Shoring if required. Depending on the load above, temporary supports go in before the opening.
• 4. Diamond cutting. The wall saw cuts the perimeter cleanly, without the vibration that cracks the rest of the foundation. We cut in sections to control the weight of each piece.
• 5. Removal and disposal. The concrete leaves your property, period.
• 6. Lintel and frame. The steel lintel is bolted in place, then your carpenter or door installer sets the frame and door — ideally the same day or the next.

The wall saw cuts the perimeter without cracking the foundation

Opening complete, ready for the lintel and frame

Mistakes to avoid

• Cutting before the permit. An unpermitted opening in a load-bearing wall can block a home sale years later — and insurance can deny a water damage claim tied to the opening.
• Forgetting exterior drainage. A grade-level door without a French drain or proper grading is a basement flood waiting for the first thaw.
• Picking the location without checking utilities. A sewer line running exactly where you want the door is manageable — but it's planned, not discovered mid-cut.
• Not coordinating the door. The hole shouldn't stay open: cutting and door installation get booked in tight sequence.

Comparing with a window project? Check out the cost of cutting a window opening in concrete — same logic, different scale. For an exact quote on your wall, send us photos (interior and exterior) and rough dimensions. See our window & door opening service → — free quote within 24 hours.