Expect the crew to work one opening at a time, so the house never stands open. A ten to fifteen window insert job runs one to two days. Clear a three foot working area inside and outside each window, and plan to be reachable for questions.
Most of the anxiety about window replacement is about the day itself: how cold the house gets, how much dust there is, whether anything gets damaged.
Here is what actually happens, so you can prepare for the parts that matter.
How to prepare, the day before
- Clear a three foot working area in front of every window, inside and out. This is the single most useful thing you can do.
- Remove blinds, curtains, curtain rods and anything mounted to the window trim.
- Take down pictures and shelving on the walls adjacent to each opening, since removal causes vibration.
- Move furniture away from windows or into the middle of the room. We cover what stays, but clear is better.
- Clear exterior access: move planters, hoses, patio furniture and anything under the windows.
- Plan for pets. The doors will be opening constantly and one opening will be out at a time.
- Decide where the crew can park and whether any permit or neighbour notice is needed on a city street.
- Be reachable. If we find rot, we want to show you before we proceed, and a decision that day keeps the job moving.
How the day runs
| Stage | Typical timing | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Walkthrough and setup | First 30 minutes | Confirm the opening list, protect floors, set up staging |
| First opening | 45 to 90 minutes | Old unit out, opening checked, new unit set and shimmed |
| Subsequent openings | 30 to 60 minutes each | Faster once the crew is in rhythm on a consistent house |
| Rot found | Stops the clock | We show you, quote the repair, then proceed |
| Interior trim | As each opening finishes | Reinstalled or replaced per the quote |
| Exterior capping | Often a separate pass | Aluminum coil bent and fitted per opening |
| Caulking | End of each day | Interior and exterior, needs temperature above freezing |
| Cleanup and walkthrough | Last 30 to 45 minutes | Debris out, every unit opened and closed with you |
About the cold, the dust and the noise
Only one opening is ever out at a time, and an insert replacement is typically out and back in within thirty to ninety minutes. The rest of the house stays closed and heated. In winter we hang plastic in the room being worked in and the effect on the rest of the house is negligible. Dust is real but localized: removing old trim and cutting back sealant produces debris, which is why floors get covered and why we vacuum as we go. Noise is mostly a reciprocating saw and a hammer drill, in bursts rather than continuously, and it is concentrated in the room being worked in. If you work from home, tell us and we will sequence the rooms around your schedule.
What to check before the crew leaves
- Open, close and lock every single window with your own hands. Do not accept a demonstration on one unit.
- Test the tilt-in function on every double hung if you have it.
- Look along the interior trim for gaps, and at the caulk line for a continuous bead.
- Check the exterior capping for tight corners and no exposed wood.
- Confirm the debris is gone, including the old units and the packaging.
- Get the warranty paperwork and confirm who is registering it.
- Photograph the NFRC label on at least one unit before it is removed. It is your record of what you received.
- Ask what to expect in the first few weeks, particularly around condensation while the house adjusts.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
Frequently asked questions
How cold will my house get during window replacement?
Barely at all. Crews work one opening at a time and a single insert replacement is out and back in within thirty to ninety minutes. The rest of the house stays closed and heated. In winter we hang plastic in the active room, and the thermostat generally does not notice.
How long does window installation take?
One to two days for ten to fifteen insert replacements. Two to four days for full-frame replacements, older homes with masonry openings, or houses where trim needs careful removal. City rowhouses take longer than suburban houses because access is tighter.
Do I need to be home during the installation?
Not for the whole day, but you should be reachable. If we find rot behind a jamb, we want to show you and get a decision rather than either proceeding without approval or stopping the job. Being available by phone is usually enough.
Will you damage my walls or trim?
Removing old windows and trim creates vibration and sometimes minor plaster cracking in very old homes, which is why we discuss it beforehand on pre-1940 houses. On an insert replacement, interior trim is not disturbed at all. On full-frame, trim comes off and either goes back or is replaced, and that is stated in the quote.
Can I replace windows while living in the house?
Yes, and almost everyone does. It is not a project that requires moving out. Plan for the rooms being worked in to be unusable for a few hours each, and for exterior doors to be opening frequently, which matters mostly for pets.
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