--- title: "Window Installation Process: Survey to Sign-Off Explained | Bi Folds Direct" description: "What happens from survey to sign-off when you replace your windows: timing, mess, paperwork, Certass notification, and how a single window goes in." lang: en-GB json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/window-installation-process/#article", "headline": "The Window Installation Process: What to Expect, Step by Step", "description": "What happens from survey to sign-off when you replace your windows: timing, mess, paperwork, Certass notification, and how a single window goes in.", "datePublished": "2026-02-18", "dateModified": "2026-04-22", "url": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/window-installation-process/", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/window-installation-process/", "image": "/assets/26-C0bxWI4I.jpeg", "author": { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/#billy-hutcherson", "name": "Billy Hutcherson", "jobTitle": "Director, Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex Ltd", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/#org" } }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/#org" }, "articleSection": "Windows", "inLanguage": "en-GB" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you do the install in winter?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — we install year-round. Each opening is exposed for around 60–90 minutes; the room cools briefly but doesn't get cold. We avoid scheduling installs during sustained sub-zero weather only because external sealants don't cure properly below 5°C." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need to be home for the whole install?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Someone needs to grant initial access and be available at sign-off, but you don't need to be there in between. We've worked plenty of installs where the customer dropped a key off and went to work." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will my walls need re-painting after?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Internal plaster reveals are usually fine — we cut neatly to the existing plaster line and seal with decorator's caulk. If your existing plaster was damaged before we started, we'll point it out at survey. External brickwork or render is made good as part of the install." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long until I get the Certass certificate?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Certass certificates arrive by post within 14–30 days of us submitting the notification (we submit within 5 working days of completion). If you're selling the house and need it urgently, ask us at sign-off and we'll fast-track." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you install windows on a Saturday?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — Saturday installs are routinely available, particularly for working customers. Sunday installs are rarer but possible by arrangement. There's no surcharge for weekend work." } } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Glazing & Windows", "item": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/glazing-essex/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Window Installation", "item": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/window-installation-essex/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Window Installation Process: What to Expect, Step by Step", "item": "https://www.bifoldsdirectessex.co.uk/window-installation-process/" } ] } ] } --- We use essential cookies to run this site and, with your consent, analytics cookies to measure enquiries. [Cookie Policy](/cookie-policy/) AcceptReject [![Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex logo](/assets/bde-logo-DjJb1e2T.png)](/) Services Areas [About](/about/)[Our Work](/our-work/)[Reviews](/reviews/)[Contact](/contact/) [07903 632039](tel:+447903632039)[Get a Free Quote](/contact/) Summer Offer Bi-folding doors **£680 per panel** [Get a free quote](/contact/) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Glazing & Windows](/glazing-essex/) 3. [Window Installation](/window-installation-essex/) 4. The Window Installation Process: What to Expect, Step by Step Windows · Buyer guide # The Window Installation Process: What to Expect, Step by Step Last updated: 22 April 2026 · By Billy Hutcherson Quick answer **A typical full-house window replacement in Essex takes 5 working days from survey to sign-off, broken into: survey (1 day), manufacture (3–4 weeks), and installation (2–4 days on site).** A single window goes in inside 90 minutes once the manufactured unit is on site. Certass notification, removal, and disposal are all handled by your installer. ![Replacement window being fitted into a brick opening on an Essex home — packed and squared before fixing](/assets/26-C0bxWI4I.jpeg) ## The full timeline Stage Typical duration Your involvement Initial enquiry to survey 3–7 days Confirm a slot 7am–8pm, seven days Survey on site 45–90 minutes Be available to discuss spec Written quote returned 24–48 hours Read, ask questions, accept or decline Manufacture (PVC) 2–3 weeks None Manufacture (aluminium) 4–6 weeks None Installation on site 1 day per 4–5 windows Allow access to each room Certass certificate 14–30 days post-install None — arrives by post ## Stage 1: Survey Free, on-site, no deposit, no pressure. The surveyor takes accurate measurements of every opening, photographs each window inside and out, and discusses specification — frame system, colour, glass type, opening configuration, and trickle ventilation. We bring physical samples so you can see and feel the difference between systems. If your project involves a structural change (widening an opening, removing a wall) we'll flag it and recommend a structural engineer — that's a separate workstream that needs to be cleared before we order frames. ## Stage 2: Quote You receive a written, itemised quote within 24–48 hours. Each window is priced individually, with frames, glass, fittings, removal/disposal, Certass notification, and workmanship guarantee broken out clearly. The number on the page is the number you pay — no "extras discovered on day three" surprises. ## Stage 3: Manufacture Once you accept the quote and pay a 10% deposit, frames go into manufacture. PVC turnaround is typically 2–3 weeks; aluminium runs 4–6 weeks. We confirm an install date when frames arrive at our yard — never before, because manufacturing slippage is the most common cause of slipped install dates and we'd rather book accurately than optimistically. ## Stage 4: Installation day(s) Our in-house fitting team arrives between 7:30am and 8am. Process per window: 1. **Protect the room:** dust sheets down on floor and surrounding furniture, plastic sheeting over carpets and bedding 2. **Remove the existing window:** beading out, glass out, frame cut and removed, brick reveal swept clean 3. **Inspect the opening:** check the cill detail, the lintel above, and the brickwork around — flag any structural issues 4. **Dry-fit the new frame:** check level, plumb and square before fixing 5. **Pack and fix:** compressible packers in the right places, fix to the brickwork with appropriate fixings (concrete screw or expansion bolt depending on substrate) 6. **Foam and seal:** low-expansion foam fills the perimeter; external sealant goes on once foam is cured 7. **Hang sashes, fit hardware, test:** opening, locking, trickle vents, drainage holes 8. **Finish externally:** render or brick reveal made good, sealant struck off neat 9. **Final clean:** hoover the room, remove all waste, frame given a final wipe Each window takes 60–90 minutes start to finish. A 4-window install is comfortably one day. A 9–12 window full-house install is two to three days. ## Stage 5: Sign-off and Certass On the final day we walk every window with you, demonstrate operation, and hand over the warranty pack. We submit Certass notification within 5 working days — the certificate arrives at your address by post within 14–30 days, and counts as building-regulations sign-off. You'll need this when you sell the house. ## What you need to do to prepare - Move furniture away from the immediate window area (we'll help if needed, but a 1m clearance helps) - Take down curtains, blinds, and anything mounted to the frame - Confirm parking access for our van — most Essex houses are fine but tight CM2 streets sometimes need a parking dispensation - Have someone on site to grant access; you don't need to be there the whole time ## Mess and disruption — the honest version It's a building job, so there's some dust. We mitigate it heavily — dust sheets, plastic film over beds and sofas, hoovers in and out of every room — but you should expect to need a quick clean once we're gone. There's no skip on the road; we take all waste with us in the van. Heating works as normal during the install (we don't disconnect anything), and you can stay in the house throughout. For full pricing and configurations, see our [window installation service in Essex](/window-installation-essex/). The wider [glazing category](/glazing-essex/) covers specialist options like aluminium windows and roof lanterns. Written by ### Billy Hutcherson Director, Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex Ltd Billy is the director of Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex Ltd — a family-run business incorporated on 20 June 2020 (Companies House No. 12684765) that supplies and installs aluminium bi-fold doors, uPVC and aluminium windows, composite front doors and roof lanterns directly to homeowners across Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire. Related questions ## Frequently asked ### Can you do the install in winter? ### Do I need to be home for the whole install? ### Will my walls need re-painting after? ### How long until I get the Certass certificate? ### Can you install windows on a Saturday? Read next ## Related guides and pages [ ### 7 signs you need new windows Concrete signals it's time to replace versus signs that look bad but aren't. Continue ](/signs-you-need-new-windows/)[ ### Window installation in Essex Full service, pricing, guarantee and ranges. Continue ](/window-installation-essex/)[ ### Window installation in Basildon Local install detail, recent work and SS-postcode coverage. Continue ](/areas/basildon/) Ready when you are ## Ready to book a survey? Free, on-site, no deposit. Quote slots run 7am–8pm, seven days, and most are diaried within five working days. See full details on our [window installation service](/window-installation-essex/), or browse the wider [glazing & windows category](/glazing-essex/). [Get a Free Quote](/contact/) [07903 632039](tel:+447903632039) ![Bi Folds & Windows Direct of Essex](/assets/bde-logo-DjJb1e2T.png) Family-run installer of bi-fold doors, aluminium windows, double glazing and roof lanterns. Covering Essex and the surrounding counties with 10+ years of trade experience. 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