The window well is designed to let light into the basement, and also satisfies the egress requirements for the basement. The 'steps' serve two functions - they act as raised beds, so you can plant flowers etc. in there, and they also serve to allow emergency access as steps (i.e. they are not meant to be a primary set of stairs, just for use in emergency).

what would something like this cost to build in my own basement?

Lauren - It really depends on a lot of factors like job site access, type of foundation, amount of excavation, drainage, labor rate for the area where you live etc. The actual window well unit itself is around $1,000, but that cost is the easy one to define! Best thing to do is to have someone in your market come out and take a look for you and give you an estimate after viewing the site and seeing exactly what is involved.

How does this work with big rains? Does it flood?

There is a lot of gravel installed around and at the base of the unit, per manufacturers install instructions, which help facilitate drainage. You can also incorporate a drywell inside the well, hook a drain into an existing sump pump drainage system, or install a sump pump at the base of the window well. Just depends on the application and site conditions!