Breakthroughs & Digouts

No basement entry problem we can't solve.

Need to replace a failing basement entry, or add one where none exists? Our Breakthrough and Digout services are full-replacement, full-warranty projects from Connecticut's largest basement entry specialist.

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10,000+
Installations since 2002
250+
Google Reviews
100%
Factory-trained crews
A finished basement entry with concrete stairs and a welded steel hatchway
Project · Wallingford, CT Mono-pour concrete stairs · 12-ga welded hatchway
CT
Licensed in Connecticut · #0644013
BBB Accredited Business
Industry-leading warranty
$0
$0 Down financing available
In-house, factory-trained install crews

Two services · One specialist

Replace a failing entry, or add a new one. Either way, we own the whole job.

Most contractors won't touch a foundation cut or a from-scratch bulkhead. We've been doing nothing else since 2002, and every project ships with welded steel, mono-pour concrete, and a written warranty.

Service 01 · Digout Existing basement entry with stairs, the kind of installation a Digout replaces

Full Digout Replacement

Complete tear-out and rebuild of your existing basement entry. Old stairs, damaged foundation pit, hatchway, and bottom door, replaced with a new, durable, code-correct entryway built to last decades.

  • Remove failed bulkhead, stairs, and rotted or cracked pit
  • Form and pour new concrete pit and stairs
  • Install 12-gauge welded steel hatchway and insulated bottom door
  • Premium powder-coat finish with 4 color options
Best when: Existing entry is unsafe, leaking, rusted, or beyond repair
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Service 02 · Breakthrough A new basement entry being cut into a foundation with formwork in place

New Basement Breakthrough

We cut a brand-new entry through a foundation that never had one. From engineered cut to finished hatchway, this is how you add a second means of egress, code-compliant access, or a finished walk-out.

  • Excavate and cut through existing foundation wall
  • Build new bulkhead pit with concrete cap and waterproofing
  • Stairs, hatchway, and bottom entry door installed
  • Premium powder-coat finish with 4 color options
Best when: No basement entry exists · Code requires second egress
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The Process

Three steps. One factory-trained crew. Done right.

Whether it's a Digout or a Breakthrough, the project follows the same proven sequence. We walk you through every phase so you always know exactly what's happening on your property.

Digout Process

1

Day 1 · Demo & Site Prep

Remove Existing Entry

We protect the surrounding hardscape, then remove the old hatchway, stairs, and crumbling pit walls. Excess material is staged for haul-off and the foundation is exposed, ready for the new build.

2

Days 2 to 4 · Masonry & Forms

Build, Form, & Pour

Our masons rebuild the bulkhead walls, cap with concrete, and form up the pit floor and stairs. Depending on the size and structure of the pit, blocks may be chosen instead of a mono-pour for the concrete.

3

Day 5 · Doors & Finish

Hatchway & Door Installed

We set the 12-gauge welded steel hatchway with premium powder-coat finish, hang the custom-sized insulated bottom door, rough grade the perimeter, and walk the project with you before sign-off.

Breakthrough Process

1

Day 1 · Excavation

Excavate the Area

We excavate the area for a minimum 7 × 7 × 7 hole alongside your foundation, then cut a precise opening through the existing foundation wall to make way for the new basement entry.

2

Days 2 to 4 · Masonry & Forms

Build, Form, & Pour

We build up the new bulkhead pit, cap with concrete, fully waterproof the exterior, and form up the stairs. Depending on the size and structure of the pit, blocks may be chosen instead of a mono-pour for the concrete.

3

Day 5 · Doors & Finish

Hatchway & Door Installed

We set the 12-gauge welded steel hatchway with premium powder-coat finish, hang the custom-sized insulated bottom door, rough grade the perimeter, and walk the project with you before sign-off.

Anatomy of a build

What 24 years and 10,000+ entries actually looks like.

Real photos from real Connecticut homes. From foundation cut to finished hatchway.

Full waterproofed bulkhead, ready for concrete cap
01 · Block bulkhead
Full waterproofed bulkhead, ready for concrete cap
Forms set for the mono-pour
02 · Digout forms
Forms set for the mono-pour
Block hatchway with poured cap
03 · Concrete cap
Block hatchway with poured cap
Wood forms ready for mono-pour stairs
04 · Stair forms
Wood forms ready for mono-pour stairs
Mono-pour concrete stairs and bottom door
05 · Finished stairs
Mono-pour concrete stairs & bottom door

Why Choose Us

Why CCD Digouts & Breakthroughs?

Built to last, designed to fit. Here's what every job includes plus the benefits that come from each specific service.

Overall Benefits

Perfect Fit

Every job is custom-built to your specific entryway. We take exact measurements and tailor the work to your space, guaranteeing a seamless fit.

Enhanced Home Value

We collaborate with you to design an entryway that improves functionality and complements the look of your home.

Long-Lasting Construction

Doors are meticulously built to endure harsh New England conditions, with welded seams and multiple primer layers under the powder coat.

Ease of Maintenance

Once installed, expect minimal maintenance. Built to stay securely in place with no shifting, loosening, or seasonal re-leveling.

The CCD Advantage

From Start to Finish.
One Specialist.

Work with one company you trust to do the whole job, accountable to the outcome from first measurement to final walk-through. No coordinating three separate experts, no finger-pointing when something goes sideways, no gaps between trades. Masonry, doors, stairs, and waterproofing are all handled by our in-house factory-trained team.

Breakthrough Specific Benefits

Increased Access

Adding a basement entry makes day-to-day access easier and provides a critical escape route in emergency situations.

City & State Regulations

Many Connecticut towns require more than one means of egress from the basement depending on local code. We help you meet it.

Digout Specific Benefits

Safety

Some basement entries are simply not safe to use anymore. Rotted stairs, leaking pits, and failing doors mean a complete replacement is the only real fix.

Permanent Resolution

Rather than patching a failing entry every few years, a digout resets the clock with a fully engineered, code-correct rebuild.

What Homeowners Say

250+ five-star reviews. Earned, not bought.

Google Reviews
4.9
250+ ratings

"Our basement entry was leaking for years. CCD came out, scoped the digout, and three days later we had brand new stairs and a hatchway that actually seals. The crew was tidy and professional the whole time."

Maria D.Wallingford, CT

"We needed a second means of egress from the basement to satisfy the inspector. CCD cut the new opening, built up the bulkhead, and handled everything. Painless from quote to permit close-out."

Tom & Janet R.West Hartford, CT

"Honestly the most organized contractor we've ever hired. Written scope, fixed price, factory-trained crew, no surprises. The mono-pour stairs look like they belong in a commercial build."

Greg P.Fairfield, CT

Common Questions

Answers from a crew that's done this 10,000 times.

Don't see your question? Call us at 203-591-9507, a real person picks up.

How long does a Digout or Breakthrough take?

Most projects run 4–6 working days from demo to finished door, weather permitting. We give you a hard schedule before we break ground, and we stick to it.

Do you handle the building permit?

The permit itself is pulled by the Owner, but CCD provides all required documentation, licenses, and insurance certificates so your municipality has everything they need.

What about landscaping after the dig?

We rough grade around the new bulkhead and remove debris. Final landscaping, sod, or flagstone work is by Owner. Most homeowners like to coordinate that with their own landscaper.

Will my basement be safe, dry, and pest-free after?

That's the whole point. Welded steel hatchway, mono-pour concrete with proper exterior waterproofing, weather-sealed insulated bottom door. No daylight, no water, no critters.

Do you offer financing?

Yes, $0 down financing is available through our financing partner. Ask about it during your free estimate.

Free, No-Obligation Quote

Let's solve your basement entry for good.

Tell us what you're dealing with. We'll come measure, scope the job, and put a fixed price in writing. No pressure, no fees.

  • Free in-home estimate, written scope
  • $0 down financing available
  • Fully licensed (CT #0644013) & insured
  • Factory-trained, in-house install crews

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A real estimator calls within 1 business day.

$700
OFF Your Project

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