A practical walkthrough of what happens on installation day, from arrival to clean-up.
In the days before installation, it is worth clearing access to the work areas, both inside and outside the property, and moving any furniture, curtains or blinds away from the windows or doors being replaced. If pets are in the house, plan for them to be kept in a separate room during the day, as doors and windows will be open at various points during the installation.
Fitters typically arrive at an agreed time in the morning and will lay dust sheets and protective covering around the work area before beginning. They will usually talk you through the plan for the day, including which openings will be tackled first and roughly how long the job is expected to take, so you know what to anticipate.
Old frames are carefully removed, and the surrounding brickwork or reveal is checked for any damage that needs addressing before the new frame goes in. This is also when any remedial work identified at survey stage, such as replacing a damaged lintel, would typically be carried out, so the new installation has a sound base.
The new frame is fitted, levelled and secured, then sealed both internally and externally to prevent draughts and water ingress. Hardware is fitted and tested, and the fitters will check that windows open, close and lock smoothly, and that doors align correctly within their frames before moving on to the next opening.
Once fitted, fitters typically apply external sealant or finishing trims and make good the internal reveal, though the extent of decorating included varies by quote, so check this in advance. Any old frames and waste materials should be removed from site as part of the job, leaving the area clean and tidy.
Before the fitters leave, they should demonstrate that everything opens, closes and locks properly, and answer any questions about care and maintenance. You should also receive your FENSA or CERTASS certificate, along with guarantee documentation, either on the day or shortly afterwards by post or email.
A handful of window replacements can often be completed within a single day, while larger projects involving multiple doors or structural work may take several days. Your written quote should include an estimated timeframe based on your specific job.
Fitters typically work on one opening at a time, so you are rarely without all windows or doors at once, though there will be periods where a specific opening is exposed while work is carried out. This is usually managed efficiently to minimise disruption.
It is generally recommended that someone is present, at least at the start and end of the day, to allow access and to review the completed work with the fitters. Some installers may agree to alternative arrangements, so discuss this in advance.
You should receive a FENSA or CERTASS certificate confirming the installation meets building regulations, along with guarantee documentation for the products fitted. Keep these safely, as they may be requested if you sell the property.
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