How Long Does Impact Window Installation Take in Florida? (2026)
The physical installation takes 1–5 days. The total project timeline — from first contact to final inspection — is 3–6 weeks with in-stock inventory, or 12–22 weeks with custom-ordered windows. Here is every phase broken down with real timing numbers.
Physical Installation Time by Home Size
A crew of 2–3 experienced installers handles 8–12 standard ground-floor windows per day. These times are for the physical installation only — not including permit wait or product lead time.
| Home / Project Size | Installation Days | Typical Crew |
|---|---|---|
| Small condo (4–6 windows) | 1 day | 2 installers |
| Small home (6–10 windows) | 1–2 days | 2 installers |
| Typical home (10–15 windows) | 2–3 days | 2–3 installers |
| Large home (16–24 windows) | 3–4 days | 3 installers |
| Estate (25+ windows + doors) | 4–8 days | 3–4 installers |
Second-floor windows, impact doors, stucco repair, and non-standard openings add time. Vieser Construction provides a per-project timeline estimate at the measurement visit.
Full Project Timeline: In-Stock vs Custom Order
The biggest timeline variable is not installation — it is whether you buy in-stock or custom-order your windows. The difference is 2–4 months.
| Phase | In-Stock (WSM) | Custom Order | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement visit | Day 1 | Day 1 | Free measurement visit. Confirm opening sizes vs available inventory (in-stock) or submit factory order (custom). |
| HOA approval (if applicable) | 2–8 weeks | 2–8 weeks | Submit ARC packet. Board meets monthly — missing cutoff adds 4 weeks. Building permit cannot be submitted until HOA approves. |
| Product availability | Same week | 8–14 weeks | In-stock inventory ships immediately. Custom factory orders take 8–14 weeks minimum (up to 20 weeks during hurricane season backlog). |
| Permit processing | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks | County review: Miami-Dade 5–10 days, Broward 5–12 days, Palm Beach 5–10 days. Vieser submits and tracks permit. |
| Installation | 1–5 days | 1–5 days | Physical window installation. Crew of 2–3 installs 8–12 windows per day for standard ground-floor openings. |
| Final county inspection | 3–7 days | 3–7 days | Inspector verifies compliance. Permit is officially closed. Certificate of Completion issued. |
| Wind mitigation inspection | After permit close | After permit close | Optional (strongly recommended). Licensed inspector completes OIR-B1-1802. File with insurer for 25–45% windstorm discount. |
| Total timeline | 3–6 weeks* | 12–22 weeks* | *Without HOA delays. Add 2–8 weeks if HOA approval required. |
Building Permit Processing Time by County
Miami-Dade
Normal: 5–10 business days
Peak/post-storm: 10–20 business days
Portal: iBuild (ibuild.miamidade.gov)
Broward County
Normal: 5–12 business days
Peak/post-storm: 12–20 business days
Portal: Broward ePermits portal
Palm Beach County
Normal: 5–10 business days
Peak/post-storm: 10–15 business days
Portal: PBC ePZB portal
Vieser Construction handles all permit applications and tracks status through each county's portal. You are notified when approved and when inspection is scheduled.
6 Things That Can Delay Your Project — and How to Avoid Them
HOA/condo approval
+2–8 weeksSubmit complete ARC packet early. Include product specs, NOA docs, color samples, and contractor credentials. Missing items cause automatic rejection to next meeting cycle.
Custom-ordered windows
+8–14 weeksUse in-stock inventory from Windows Stock Market. Same brands, same certification, eliminates the factory lead time entirely.
Peak season contractor backlog
+2–6 weeksSchedule in November–March (off-season). Contractor availability is 2–4x higher than April–October when everyone rushes before hurricane season.
Permit office volume (post-storm)
+1–3 weeksAfter major storms, all county permit offices experience high volume. Miami-Dade iBuild portal handles this best. Contractors with established relationships get faster reviews.
Non-standard rough openings
+1–3 days installHomes built before 1980 sometimes have non-standard rough openings requiring buck frame adjustments. Measurement visit identifies this upfront.
Second-floor windows
+$50–200/window cost; minimal timeSecond-floor windows require lifts or scaffolding. More labor cost, minor time impact (one extra hour per window typically).
How to Get Your Windows Done Before Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. To have windows fully installed, inspected, and wind-mitigation-certified before June 1, work backwards from that deadline:
Submit HOA/ARC request (if applicable). Get free measurement visit. Select in-stock inventory.
HOA should be approved. Submit building permit application. Order materials (in-stock: immediate).
Permit processing (1–2 weeks typical). Schedule installation crew.
Installation complete. Schedule county final inspection. Wind mitigation inspection.
File OIR-B1-1802 with insurer. Premium discount applied. Protected before season starts.
What happens if you start in May: Contractor backlogs of 8–12 weeks are common in May–June. You risk not being installed before the peak of hurricane season (August–October). Don't wait.
Installation Day: What to Prepare
Remove all window treatments: blinds, curtains, shades, plantation shutters
Move furniture 3–4 feet away from all windows being replaced
Clear exterior areas below and around windows (plants, patio furniture)
Secure pets in a room away from work areas
Designate a staging area for the crew to store materials
Remove valuables from window sill areas and nearby shelving
Identify the location of electrical outlets near windows (for tools)
Living in your home during installation: Yes, you can stay. Crews work room by room, covering openings with plastic sheeting as they go. Light rain doesn't stop work; heavy rain pauses exterior work temporarily. Installation is typically 6am–5pm daily.
Frequently Asked Questions: Installation Timeline
How long does impact window installation take for a typical South Florida home?
Physical installation takes 1–5 days depending on home size. A small home (6–8 windows) takes 1–2 days. A typical home (10–15 windows) takes 2–3 days. The total project timeline from first contact to final inspection is 3–6 weeks with in-stock inventory, or 12–22 weeks with custom-ordered windows.
How long does it take to get a permit for impact windows in Florida?
Miami-Dade: 5–10 business days (via iBuild portal). Broward County: 5–12 business days. Palm Beach County: 5–10 business days. These are typical timelines — permit offices experience delays after storms or during peak season (May–September). Vieser Construction handles permit submission and tracking for all projects.
Can I live in my home during impact window installation?
Yes. Installation crews work room by room. Windows are covered with plastic sheeting during work to control dust. You can remain in your home throughout installation. You'll want to move furniture away from work areas and remove all window treatments (blinds, curtains, shutters) before installation day.
Why does custom-order take so much longer than in-stock?
Custom-ordered windows require a factory manufacturing run — typically 8–14 weeks from order to delivery. During hurricane season, backorders can push this to 16–20 weeks. In-stock windows from Windows Stock Market already exist and ship immediately. Same brand (PGT, ESW, Mr. Glass), same NOA certification, same warranty — just without the 2–4 month wait.
How long does HOA approval take for impact windows?
HOA architectural review (ARC) typically takes 2–8 weeks depending on when the board meets and how complete your submission packet is. Most boards meet monthly — if you miss a cutoff, you wait 4 more weeks. Submit your HOA request with full documentation (product specs, NOA, color samples, contractor info) at least 2 weeks before the next board meeting. You cannot pull a building permit until HOA approval is received in writing.
Is there a best time of year to install impact windows in South Florida?
Yes: November through March (off-hurricane-season). Advantages: faster contractor availability, no urgency backlog pricing, cooler weather for crew efficiency. If you want windows installed before June 1 (hurricane season start), begin the process no later than March 1 to have time for HOA review (if applicable), permits, and scheduling. Homeowners who wait until May face 8–12 week backlogs.
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The sooner you start, the sooner you're protected. Vieser Construction handles everything — measurement, permits, installation, inspection. Call (754) 303-7130 or get a free estimate online.