How Long Does Windows & Doors Take? Timelines and What to Expect

How Long Does Windows & Doors Take? Timelines and What to Expect

The average impact window installation in Palm Beach County takes 4-8 weeks - but only 1-2 of those weeks involve anyone actually working in your home. The rest is permit processing and product lead time that most contractors mention only after you’ve signed. In Fort Lauderdale, where hurricane codes and HOA approvals add extra layers, homeowners who plan only for installation day often face frustrating delays they never anticipated. This guide maps the full timeline from signed contract to final inspection, so you know exactly what to expect and when.

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Quick Answer

A typical window and door replacement in Fort Lauderdale takes 6-10 weeks from contract to final inspection: 1-2 weeks for design and material selection, 2-4 weeks for Palm Beach County permit approval, 2-6 weeks for product fabrication and delivery, and 1-5 days for actual installation. Impact-rated products and custom sizes extend the fabrication phase, while permit delays from incomplete paperwork can add weeks that have nothing to do with the contractor’s crew.

Table of Contents

• Phase 1: Design and Material Selection (1-2 Weeks)
• Phase 2: Permit Submission and Approval in Palm Beach County (2-4 Weeks)
• Phase 3: Product Fabrication and Delivery (2-6 Weeks)
• Phase 4: Installation (1-5 Days)
• Phase 5: Inspections and Final Sign-Off
• Whole-Home vs. Single-Window: Timeline Complexity
• Red Flags: Contractors Who Haven’t Planned for Permit Time
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• When to Call a Professional
• Frequently Asked Questions

Phase 1: Design and Material Selection (1-2 Weeks)

This phase determines everything that follows. Week one is typically spent measuring every opening, documenting existing conditions, and narrowing material options. Week two, if needed, resolves final selections and places the order.

Here’s what actually happens:

1. Field measurement. A technician measures each opening to the eighth of an inch, noting wall thickness, existing frame condition, and any structural irregularities. In Fort Lauderdale’s coastal neighborhoods like Coral Ridge and Victoria Park, we regularly see original 1950s and 1960s openings that aren’t square - a detail that affects both product selection and lead time.
2. Product selection. This is where brand choice directly impacts timeline. Standard-size vinyl windows from Simonton or Jeld-Wen might ship in 2-3 weeks. Custom-sized architectural windows from Andersen or Pella can stretch to 6-8 weeks. Impact-rated products for Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone add fabrication steps - laminated glass assembly, reinforced framing, missile-impact testing certification - that standard windows don’t require.
3. Final documentation. Signed selections, deposit, and a complete window schedule (every product specified by size, series, and performance rating) allow the contractor to submit for permits immediately.

Homeowners who waffle on selections or change specs after signing delay their own project. We’ve seen a single change order for a different grid pattern add three weeks because it reset the fabrication queue.

Our approach at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida home is to front-load this phase with a curated presentation - we bring 50+ brand partnerships to the table, but we pre-filter to 3-4 options that actually fit your performance needs, aesthetic, and budget. You choose the brand, we handle the build. Less paralysis, faster decisions.

Phase 2: Permit Submission and Approval in Palm Beach County (2-4 Weeks)

This is the phase most contractors gloss over in their sales pitch. It’s also where projects stall through no fault of the installation crew.

Palm Beach County Building Division requires permits for all window and door replacements that change the opening size, alter the structural header, or involve impact-rated products in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Fort Lauderdale sits within this zone, so nearly every replacement triggers permitting.

The standard flow:

• Application submission: Contractor submits window schedule, manufacturer specifications, Miami-Dade or Florida Product Approval numbers for impact products, and structural calculations if opening sizes change. Incomplete packages sit in queue without review.
• Plan review: County staff verify compliance with the Florida Building Code, wind-borne debris provisions, and energy code (prescriptive U-factor and SHGC requirements). This takes 10-15 business days for a clean submittal.
• Corrections and resubmittal: If product approvals are expired, calculations are missing, or energy values don’t match the listed products, the application returns for revision. Each cycle adds 7-10 days.
• Permit issuance: Once approved, the contractor can schedule the pre-installation inspection or proceed directly to installation, depending on jurisdiction requirements.

In Fort Lauderdale specifically, we’ve noticed permit review times lengthen during peak hurricane season (June-November) when homeowners rush to replace damaged or aging windows. Submitting in March or April often shaves a week off approval time simply because the queue is shorter.

HOA approval runs parallel in gated communities like Harbor Beach or Riviera Isles. Some associations meet monthly; others quarterly. A contractor who doesn’t ask about HOA requirements in week one hasn’t fully scoped your timeline.

Phase 3: Product Fabrication and Delivery (2-6 Weeks)

This is where brand selection and product type create the widest timeline variance. Understanding the drivers helps you set realistic expectations.

Standard vinyl windows (non-impact): 2-3 weeks

Standard aluminum windows (non-impact): 3-4 weeks

Impact-rated vinyl or aluminum: 4-6 weeks

Custom architectural or oversized units: 5-8 weeks

Specialty shapes (arches, circles, trapezoids): Add 1-2 weeks to base timeline

Impact-rated products take longer because the manufacturing process is more complex. Laminated glass must be cut, assembled with interlayer film, autoclaved for adhesion, then paired with reinforced frames that have undergone missile-impact and cyclic pressure testing. The fabrication facility must hold current Florida Product Approval for the exact configuration ordered - not just the series, but the size, glazing, and hardware combination.

We’ve worked with homeowners in Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Isles who wanted matching sightlines across 40-year-old custom arches and new rectangular openings. That level of customization pushed fabrication to 10 weeks. We planned for it, communicated it, and sequenced other exterior work around the delay. A contractor who promises “4 weeks total” for that scope either doesn’t understand the product or isn’t being straight about what’s included.

Delivery logistics matter too. Large window orders ship on flatbed trucks that need site access. In dense Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods with narrow streets and limited parking, coordinating drop-off requires advance planning with the homeowner or property manager.

Phase 4: Installation (1-5 Days)

This is the phase homeowners actually picture when they think “how long will this take?” The reality is often shorter than expected - which makes the pre-installation delays feel even more frustrating.

Single window or door: 2-4 hours

Partial home (5-8 openings): 1-2 days

Whole-home replacement (15-25 openings): 2-3 days

Whole-home with custom sizes, impact products, or stucco repair: 3-5 days

The installation sequence follows a predictable rhythm:

1. Protection and prep: Crew covers floors, moves furniture, and establishes work zones. For impact installations, this includes verifying product labels match permit documents - inspectors check this.
2. Removal: Old units come out. In Florida’s humid climate, we frequently find water intrusion damage around the sill that wasn’t visible until removal. Minor rot repair adds hours; significant damage can extend to a second day.
3. Installation and fastening: New units are leveled, shimmed, and anchored per manufacturer specifications and Florida Building Code wind-load tables. Impact products require specific fastener patterns and embedment depths that differ from standard installations.
4. Flashing and sealing: Critical for water intrusion prevention. We use manufacturer-specified flashing tapes and sealants, not generic caulk. In Fort Lauderdale’s driving rain environment, this detail separates projects that last from projects that leak.
5. Trim and finish: Interior trim replacement or repair, exterior stucco patching, paint touch-up. This is where material choices matter - James Hardie trim, for instance, requires different finishing than PVC or wood.
6. Cleanup and walkthrough: Operational testing of every sash, lock, and hardware component. We document serial numbers for warranty registration.

Weather delays installation in Fort Lauderdale more than most markets. Afternoon thunderstorms from May through October can halt exterior work for safety reasons. We build this contingency into scheduling rather than pretending it doesn’t exist.

Phase 5: Inspections and Final Sign-Off

Installation isn’t the finish line. Palm Beach County requires a final inspection to verify code compliance and close the permit. Unclosed permits become problems at resale - title companies flag them, and buyers demand resolution.

The inspection checklist includes:

• Product labels match approved plans (impact rating, manufacturer, series)
• Fastener type, spacing, and embedment meet structural requirements
• Flashing and weatherproofing are visible and correctly applied
• Operable units function properly
• Energy code compliance (U-factor and SHGC values)

Scheduling the inspection typically takes 2-5 business days in Fort Lauderdale, longer during peak periods. The inspector arrives, verifies compliance, and either passes the job or issues a correction notice. Common failures include missing labels, incomplete flashing at the head, or fastener spacing that doesn’t match the approved engineering.

We attend every inspection with the permit documents and product data sheets. Homeowners who choose Roofing in West Palm Beach or other exterior work from us get the same discipline - one contractor, every phase, with accountability through final sign-off.

After pass, the contractor submits for certificate of completion, and the homeowner receives documentation for warranty registration and future sale. Total elapsed time from installation completion to closed permit: 3-7 days in normal conditions.

Whole-Home vs. Single-Window: Timeline Complexity

Replacing every window in a Fort Lauderdale home isn’t just more volume - it’s a different project type with coordination challenges that extend beyond simple multiplication.

Phased installation for weather protection: In homes without alternative shelter, crews can’t remove all windows simultaneously. We phase by elevation or floor, completing and sealing each section before opening the next. A 3-day installation becomes 4-5 days with phasing logic that maintains livability.

Material consistency across decades of construction: Homes in neighborhoods like Coral Ridge or Poinsettia Heights often have original windows from multiple eras - aluminum sliders from a 1970s addition alongside wood casements from the original 1950s build. Matching sightlines, frame depths, and operation styles across incompatible existing conditions requires more design time and often custom solutions.

Interior consequence management: Whole-home replacement affects every room. Floor protection, furniture moving, and dust containment scale with scope. We coordinate with homeowners on sequencing - bedrooms first, common areas last, or vice versa depending on living patterns.

Exterior envelope continuity: Windows don’t exist in isolation. Stucco transitions, trim integration, and paint matching must work across the full facade. Our full exterior envelope capability - roofing, windows & doors services, siding - means we see these interactions rather than treating windows as a standalone trade.

We’ve completed whole-home replacements in Fort Lauderdale’s Harbor Beach where the project spanned 8 weeks from contract to close, and others in Victoria Park that finished in 5. The variance came from product selection and permit timing, not installation efficiency.

Red Flags: Contractors Who Haven’t Planned for Permit Time

Some timeline promises should make you pause. Here are warning signs that a contractor is either inexperienced or being misleading about how long your project will actually take:

• “We can start next week.” In Fort Lauderdale’s permit environment, anyone promising immediate start on permitted work either hasn’t submitted plans or plans to work without permits. Both are problems.
• Vague “start date” language without permit status. A legitimate timeline specifies “permit submitted,” “permit pending,” or “permit issued” with dates. “We’ll get to you in 3 weeks” tells you nothing about where you actually stand.
• No discussion of product lead time. If selection happens in hour one and installation is promised for week three, ask specifically: is the product already in stock? For impact windows, the answer is almost certainly no.
• Impact products quoted on standard window timelines. We’ve seen competitors quote 3-week delivery for impact-rated custom sizes that every major manufacturer quotes at 6+ weeks. The homeowner learns the truth after deposit.
• No mention of inspections in the project flow. A contractor who talks only about “install day” and not about “inspection day” hasn’t fully accounted for project completion.
• Pressure to sign before HOA review. In Fort Lauderdale’s deed-restricted communities, HOA architectural review can take 30+ days. A contractor rushing signature before this checkpoint either doesn’t know the local landscape or doesn’t care about your compliance risk.

At Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, we provide a phased timeline in writing before contract signature, with realistic ranges for each phase and explicit identification of homeowner-controlled variables (selection speed, HOA responsiveness, color finalization) versus contractor-controlled variables (permit submission quality, crew scheduling, inspection attendance). For how to hire a construction contractor in Fort Lauderdale: a step-by-step guide, see our detailed resource.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planning your vacation around “install week” without confirming permit status. We’ve had Fort Lauderdale homeowners book travel for the week installation was “supposed” to happen, only to learn permits were still pending. Confirm permit issuance before making non-refundable plans.
• Selecting products based on speed rather than suitability. A 2-week standard window might seem appealing until you learn your insurance requires impact rating for the discount you’re counting on. Speed now can cost money later.
• Ignoring stucco and trim repair in timeline planning. Window replacement disturbs surrounding finishes. Budget time and budget for stucco patch, trim replacement, and paint - not just the units themselves.
• Assuming all brands have similar lead times. Andersen Architectural Collection and Simonton DaylightMax serve different markets with different supply chains. Your contractor should explain these differences during selection, not after ordering.
• Neglecting warranty registration deadlines. Most manufacturer warranties require registration within 30-60 days of installation. Missing this window voids protection on a product you just invested heavily in.
• Trying to coordinate window replacement with unrelated exterior work without a single contractor. We’ve rescued Fort Lauderdale projects where a roofer, painter, and window contractor each blamed the others for sequencing failures. From driveway to roofline, one accountable team eliminates this chaos.

When to Call a Professional

Window and door replacement involves structural, waterproofing, and code-compliance dimensions that reward professional execution and punish amateur mistakes. Call a qualified contractor when your project involves impact-rated products, opening-size changes, structural header modification, or integration with other exterior work like roofing or siding.

Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida offers free estimates in Fort Lauderdale - call (844) 665-0162. We handle window and door projects as part of our full exterior envelope capability, with access to Andersen, Pella, Marvin, Milgard, Jeld-Wen, Simonton, PGT, and CGI product lines across multiple performance tiers. Explore our more guides & resources for additional homeowner insights. You choose the brand, we handle the build, and we carry accountability through permit, installation, inspection, and final sign-off.

We also invite comparison with our other residential services: Kitchen Remodeling in West Palm Beach and Bathroom Remodeling in West Palm Beach for interior transformation, or roofing and hardscape work for full-property coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Window and door replacement in Fort Lauderdale is a multi-phase project where the visible work - installation - represents a small fraction of total elapsed time. Smart homeowners plan for permit processing and product lead time with the same attention they give to material selection and budget. The contractors who earn trust are those who explain this reality upfront, document realistic timelines, and maintain accountability through final inspection. Those who promise speed without specificity often deliver delays without explanation.

Built to spec, not to convenience. That’s how exterior work should proceed.

Written by the team at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2014.