Two questions come with every window quote: how long until the windows are in, and how long will your house be a construction zone? The second answer is shorter than most people expect, a day or two for most homes. The first is longer than most expect, because windows are made to order. Here’s the full timeline from first call to final cleanup.
The Whole Timeline at a Glance
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Consultation and written quote | 1 visit, about an hour; quote same day or next |
| Your decision | As long as you like; quotes are valid 30 days |
| Final measure and order | Within a week of signing |
| Manufacturing | 4 to 8 weeks (longer for custom colours, shapes, peak season) |
| Installation | 1 day for up to ~12 retrofit windows; 2 to 3 days for full-frame or larger homes |
| Signing to finished | About 5 to 10 weeks in total |
Quote and Decision
The first visit takes about an hour for a typical house: measuring each opening, checking frames for rot, discussing styles and glass, and answering questions. You get a written, itemized quote. There’s no clock on the decision; our quote-reading guide covers what to compare if you’re getting more than one.
Final Measure and Ordering
After you sign, an installer does a precise final measure of every opening, since windows are built to the eighth of an inch and the person installing is the person who should measure. The order goes to the manufacturer with a deposit, usually within a few days.
Manufacturing Lead Time
This is the long part. Standard vinyl windows in white typically take 4 to 6 weeks to build in 2026; laminated colours, fibreglass, custom shapes, and bay or bow units run 6 to 10 weeks. Spring and early summer orders are slower because every factory is at capacity; winter orders are faster. We’ll give you the current lead time when you sign, and you’ll get an installation date once the factory confirms the ship date. See our timing guide for how the seasons affect this.
Installation Day
The crew arrives in the morning, usually two to four installers. Floors and furniture near the windows are covered, and blinds and curtains are removed (you can do that the night before to save time). Windows are done one at a time, room by room: the old unit out, the opening cleaned and inspected, the new unit set, shimmed level and square, fastened, foamed, and sealed, then finished inside and out. Each opening is closed and weather-tight before the next one comes out, so the house is never open to the weather, in any season.
At the end of the day the crew hauls away the old windows, sweeps and vacuums, walks each window with you to show you how it operates and locks, and leaves the warranty paperwork.
How Long Each Window Takes
| Window | Retrofit | Full-frame |
|---|---|---|
| Standard slider, hung, or casement | 30 to 60 minutes | 1 to 2 hours |
| Large picture window or combination unit | 1 to 2 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Bay or bow window | 3 to 5 hours | Most of a day |
| Egress window with new cut | n/a | 1 to 2 days including well |
A crew can typically do 10 to 15 retrofit windows in a day, or 6 to 10 full-frame. Doors take two to four hours each depending on sidelites and finishing.
After the Install
Caulking cures over a day or two; keep windows closed for the first 24 hours if it’s cold or wet. Interior casing may need painting if it’s new. Register any manufacturer warranty that requires it. If you’re claiming a rebate, book the post-retrofit energy assessment once everything is done.
What Causes Delays
- Factory backlogs in April to July.
- Custom colours and shapes, which are batched at the factory.
- Weather: heavy rain, freezing rain, or high winds push exterior sealing; the crew reschedules rather than seals a wet opening.
- Rot found on install day. Usually fixed on the spot with a pre-agreed unit price; extensive damage can add a day.
- Permits for enlarged or new openings and heritage properties.
- Damaged product on delivery. Rare, but a replacement unit means another lead time; a good installer installs everything else and returns for the one unit.
Want a Date, Not a Guess?
We'll tell you the current manufacturing lead time and the first available install slot when we quote. Serving London, Mississauga, Oakville, and the GTA.
A family-owned business that supplies and installs high-quality windows and doors throughout Mississauga, Oakville, London, and surrounding areas in Ontario. Over 20 years of experience and a reputation built entirely on customer referrals.