How Long Does It Take to Install Hurricane Impact Windows on a Whole House in South Florida?

If you're planning to upgrade your home's hurricane protection, timeline is usually the second question after cost. The good news: a full-house impact window installation is not a months-long project. But there are stages that take time, and understanding the full sequence helps you plan realistically.

The Short Answer

Once materials are on-site and installation begins, a crew can typically complete the physical installation on a whole house in 3 to 7 days. However, the full project timeline — from signing a contract to having a finaled permit in hand — is usually 8 to 14 weeks, sometimes longer depending on product lead times, permit processing speed, and inspection scheduling.

Here's why.

Stage 1: Measurement and Product Selection (Week 1–2)

Before anything is ordered, a technician must measure every opening precisely. Impact windows are custom-manufactured to fit each specific opening — they're not off-the-shelf products you pick up at a supply house. Measurements must be exact, especially in older homes where openings are rarely perfectly square or uniformly sized.

During this stage, you'll also finalize product selections: frame material, glass package, hardware finishes, and any custom configurations.

Stage 2: Permitting (Week 2–5)

In Miami-Dade and Broward, a building permit is required before any impact window installation can begin. Your contractor submits permit applications to the relevant building department — the city if you're in an incorporated municipality, the county otherwise. Miami-Dade and Broward have both invested in online permitting systems, but processing times vary by jurisdiction and current volume.

In straightforward cases, permits can be issued in 1 to 3 weeks. In more complex situations — older homes, structural modifications needed, high application volumes — it can take 4 to 6 weeks. Some municipalities are faster than others. An experienced local contractor will know which jurisdictions to plan around.

Stage 3: Product Manufacturing and Delivery (Week 3–10)

While permitting is underway, the windows are being manufactured. Custom impact windows for a South Florida home typically have lead times of 6 to 10 weeks from order to delivery, depending on the manufacturer and current demand. Hurricane season tends to compress lead times as demand spikes — another reason to plan upgrades in the off-season (fall through early winter).

A well-run contractor sequences the permit application and product order to run simultaneously, so you're not waiting on one after the other.

Stage 4: Installation (3–7 Days On-Site)

Once materials arrive and the permit is in hand, a professional installation crew can typically complete a whole-house project in 3 to 7 days. The range depends on:

• Number of openings (a 10-window home vs. a 25-window home)

• Size and complexity of openings (standard windows vs. large sliding glass doors and picture windows)

• Condition of existing framing (clean installs vs. openings with rotted frames or outdated flashing to address)

• Any structural work required to widen or reconfigure openings

During installation, expect your home to be accessible to the crew during daytime hours. Most crews work room by room, minimizing disruption to your daily routine as much as possible.

Stage 5: Inspection and Permit Closeout (1–2 Weeks After Installation)

After installation, a building department inspector must visit the property to verify the work meets code. This typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to schedule after the inspection is requested. Once the inspector approves, the permit is closed out and you receive your documentation.

This closeout documentation is important. It's what you'll need to schedule your wind mitigation inspection and submit to your insurance carrier for your premium discount. Don't skip it or let it languish — a closed permit is what converts your investment into documented insurance savings.

Tips for Keeping Your Project on Schedule

• Plan in the off-season. Fall and winter (October through February) typically have shorter lead times and faster permit processing than the spring and summer rush.

• Have your documents ready. A good contractor will need your property survey, existing permit history, and HOA approval (if applicable) early in the process.

• Ask about permit status regularly. Permits can stall for missing documents or additional information requests. A proactive contractor tracks this and responds quickly.

• Don't delay the inspection request. Once installation is complete, the inspection request should go in the same day.

Kinetic Construction manages the full timeline — permitting, product ordering, installation, and inspection — on every impact window project we complete in Miami-Dade and Broward. Call us at (954) 639-2154 or visit kineticconstructionusa.com.