The answer comes in two parts. The installation itself is usually the short part: Andersen says a full-frame replacement window on the ground floor typically takes 4 to 6 hours, and Marvin says a professional crew can typically complete several insert replacements in a single day. The weeks you’ll wait are mostly spent before anyone shows up with tools, while your custom windows are built.
This guide walks through each phase in order, from the first visit to the last swept-up sliver of caulk, so you can plan around it. If you’d like a timeline for your own house, the team at TurnKey Window can look at your openings in person, or you can send a request through the contact page or call (504) 226-6201.
We’ll also cover the things that stretch a schedule, like rotted frames, upper-story windows and historic district approvals, and the small jobs you can do before installation day to keep the crew moving.
Key takeaways
- The full process usually runs several weeks, because replacement windows are made to order for your openings.
- Pella tells online buyers to expect a call within 2 to 14 weeks to schedule pickup or delivery, depending on production timing.
- Andersen puts a ground-level full-frame replacement at 4 to 6 hours per window, with upper-story windows taking longer.
- Insert replacement is less invasive than full-frame replacement, so it tends to move faster when the old frame is sound.
- Homes in a New Orleans historic district need a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work, which adds a review step before the job starts.
- Clearing blinds, furniture and shrubs ahead of time is the easiest way to keep installation day on schedule.
The whole timeline at a glance
Every project moves through the same five phases. The table below shows what happens in each one and what drives its length, so you can see where the real waiting happens.
| Phase | What happens | What sets the pace |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation and measuring | An installer inspects each opening, checks frame condition and takes exact measurements | Number of windows and how easy they are to reach |
| 2. Ordering and manufacturing | Windows are built to the measured sizes and chosen options | Manufacturer production schedule; Pella cites 2 to 14 weeks for online orders |
| 3. Approvals | Permit or historic district review where it applies | Your address and the scope of work; HDLC staff-level approvals take about 3 to 5 days |
| 4. Installation day | Old units come out, new units go in, openings are insulated, flashed and sealed | Insert vs full-frame, window size, story height and surprises behind the trim |
| 5. Cleanup and walkthrough | Debris is hauled off, windows are checked for operation and you inspect the work | How many windows were installed and how much interior trim was disturbed |
Phase 1: consultation and measurement
The first visit sets up everything that follows. An installer looks at each window, notes the style you want, checks the sill and frame for soft wood or water damage, and measures the opening. Those measurements become the order, so accuracy here prevents the most expensive delay of all: a window that doesn’t fit.
At TurnKey Window, the team comes to your home, looks at the actual windows and gives you a number on the spot, so this phase doesn’t add a separate wait for a written quote. How long the visit runs depends mostly on how many windows you’re replacing and whether any need a closer look.
What the installer checks during the visit
- Whether the existing frame is solid enough for an insert, or whether it needs full-frame replacement
- Signs of rot or water intrusion at the sill, jambs and exterior trim
- Whether the window sits on an upper story or behind landscaping that limits access
- Style, color, glass and grid choices, since each option has to be specified before ordering
- Whether the house is in a historic district or was built before 1978, which can add steps later
Phase 2: ordering and manufacturing
This is the longest stretch for most people. Replacement windows aren’t pulled off a shelf. Pella notes that all of its products are made to order based on your specifics, and it tells online buyers that a local team member will call within 2 to 14 weeks to schedule pickup or delivery, depending on delivery method and production timing.
That range is wide because every order is built to its own specs on the maker’s production schedule. If you’re working to a deadline, ask for the expected ship date when you sign, and ask again a week or two before it arrives.
Older houses often have openings that call for made-to-measure units. If your home has tall, narrow or arched openings, our page on custom windows explains the options.
Phase 3: permits, historic review and older homes
Many replacements go straight from delivery to installation. Two situations can add a step, and both are worth sorting out while your windows are still being built so they don’t hold up installation day.
Historic districts in New Orleans
The City of New Orleans requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work on buildings in historic districts or on designated landmarks, including repairs and alterations. The city says simple projects are approved at staff level in approximately 3 to 5 days, while more complex work goe