What to Expect During a Whole-Home Window Replacement Project in Stuart & the Treasure Coast
A Realistic Roadmap for Whole-Home Window Replacement on the Treasure Coast
Deciding to replace every window in your home is one of the smartest long-term investments a South Florida homeowner can make — particularly here on the Treasure Coast, where hurricane seasons are a recurring reality. But the process can feel overwhelming if you have never been through it before. How long will it take? Do you need a permit? Will your furniture be covered in dust?
This guide walks you through each stage of a whole-home window replacement project so you can plan confidently, ask the right questions, and know exactly what a reputable contractor should deliver. Whether you live in Stuart, Palm City, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, or anywhere else on the Treasure Coast, the steps below apply to you.
Stage 1: The Estimate — What Should Be Included
A trustworthy window estimate is far more than a price on a page. When you schedule a free, no-pressure estimate with The Glass Professionals, a trained project consultant visits your home to measure every opening, assess the existing frame conditions, and discuss your performance goals — impact protection, energy efficiency, noise reduction, or all three.
Here is what a thorough in-home estimate should cover:
- Accurate field measurements of every window opening (rough openings can vary from the nominal size listed on your architectural drawings)
- Frame condition assessment — rotted or compromised frames may need to be addressed before installation
- Product recommendations matched to your home’s elevation, exposure, and local building code requirements
- Glass options — Low-E coatings, laminated glass for impact resistance, tinted glass for solar heat gain reduction
- Permit requirements specific to your municipality
- A written scope of work so there are no surprises on installation day
Be cautious of any contractor who quotes over the phone without visiting your home or who cannot explain the difference between a retrofit (pocket) installation and a full-frame replacement. Those distinctions affect both price and performance significantly.
Stage 2: Permits — Yes, You Need Them in Florida
Florida building code requires a permit for window replacement in virtually every jurisdiction on the Treasure Coast. This is not bureaucratic red tape — it is the mechanism that ensures your new windows are installed to the wind-load and impact specifications that protect your family during a hurricane.
Here is how the permit process typically unfolds:
- Permit application: Your contractor submits product approval documentation (the Florida Product Approval number for each window) along with drawings to your local building department.
- Review period: Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Palm Beach County building departments typically review applications within one to three weeks, though timelines can vary with seasonal volume.
- Permit issuance: Once approved, your contractor is authorized to begin installation.
- Inspection: After installation, a county inspector visits to verify the work meets code. Your contractor should schedule this on your behalf.
- Final sign-off: The permit is closed, and you receive documentation to keep with your home records — valuable when you sell or file an insurance claim.
Never hire a contractor who suggests skipping the permit. Unpermitted window work can void your homeowner’s insurance, create problems at resale, and — most critically — leave your family with windows that have not been verified to meet Florida’s stringent wind-load requirements.
Stage 3: Project Timeline — How Long Will It Actually Take?
Homeowners are often surprised to learn that the manufacturing lead time is usually the longest part of the process. Impact windows are custom-measured and built to order, not pulled from warehouse stock.
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| In-home estimate and product selection | 1–2 days (same week as first contact) |
| Contract execution and permit application | 3–7 business days |
| Permit review and approval | 1–3 weeks (varies by county) |
| Window manufacturing and delivery | 4–10 weeks (varies by product line and season) |
| Installation — average single-family home | 1–3 days |
| Final inspection and permit close-out | 3–10 business days after installation |
Total project duration from signed contract to final inspection commonly runs eight to fourteen weeks for a whole-home project. Planning ahead of hurricane season — ideally scheduling your estimate in late fall or winter — gives you the best shot at completion before June 1.
Stage 4: Preparing Your Home for Installation Day
Your installation crew will work methodically room by room, but there are steps you can take in advance to protect your belongings and help the project run smoothly.
Interior Preparation
- Remove window treatments — blinds, curtains, and shutters — from all windows being replaced
- Clear furniture, art, and breakables at least three to four feet away from each window
- Take down any wall art near windows, as vibration during frame removal can loosen hanging hardware
- Cover nearby furniture with drop cloths if you have them (your installer may provide these)
What the Installation Crew Does
- Uses rosin paper or plastic sheeting on floors around each work area
- Removes the existing window unit, cuts or grinds away old fasteners, and cleans the opening
- Sets the new window, fastens it per the approved product installation instructions, and applies weatherproof sealant
- Cleans the glass and surrounding area before moving to the next opening
A professional crew installs six to twelve windows per day depending on window size, accessibility, and whether any frame repairs are required. Most whole-home projects are complete in one to three days of on-site work.
Stage 5: After Installation — What to Check
Once installation is complete, walk through the home with your project manager before signing off. Look for:
- Consistent sealant bead around the exterior perimeter of every window
- Smooth operation of all operable sashes — single-hung, casement, or sliding
- No visible gaps between the new frame and the existing wall or stucco
- Clean, scratch-free glass on both interior and exterior surfaces
- Hardware that latches and locks securely
As a PGT Diamond Dealer and the holder of the Crystal Care Elite Lifetime Warranty on PGT WinGuard Vinyl products, The Glass Professionals, Inc. stands behind every installation — not just the product manufacturer. That means if a warranty issue ever arises, you call us, not a distant call center.
Ready to Start? Request Your Free Estimate Today
The Glass Professionals, Inc. has been serving Stuart, Palm City, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Jupiter, Fort Pierce, and the entire Treasure Coast since 1989. Our family-owned team handles every phase of your project — estimate, permits, installation, and final inspection coordination — so you never have to chase down subcontractors or wonder what comes next.
Call us at (772) 286-0459 or request your free, no-pressure estimate online. We will visit your home, measure every opening, explain your options in plain language, and give you a written quote with no obligation. Let’s get your home protected before the next storm season arrives.
