I had no issues with my inspection, but my neighbor did. His installer forgot to put in the permit paperwork in the window (apparently you’re supposed to post the permit on a window or door during work). The inspector came, didn’t see the permit posted, and failed the inspection. They had to reschedule.
It was more of a paperwork goof than an actual problem. It got sorted out in a week. So, as long as the company is on top of those details, you’ll be fine.
Reading all this honestly makes me feel much more prepared. This thread is gold for Tampa Bay homeowners. Big thanks to OP and everyone sharing their experiences. When I tackle my windows, I’ll know what to expect (and what pitfalls to avoid).
Absolutely. I came here not knowing anything about how long this would take. Now I have realistic expectations. I'm also going to reach out to some of the companies mentioned (Karoly, ProTech, etc.) since they seem to have good feedback here. It’s great to have local insight.
Just to add, I ended up choosing Karoly Windows & Doors based on a friend’s recommendation and seeing it mentioned here. They really were excellent, from start to finish. If anyone is on the fence, I'd say put them on your short list for quotes. The other company I almost went with was also good, but Karoly gave me an earlier installation date. No regrets!
I used a different company (one of the big national ones) and while the windows are fine, the process was a bit impersonal. Hearing all these positive experiences with the more local companies like Karoly and ProTech makes me think I should've shopped around more. At least it turned out okay in the end for me, but next time I’ll probably go local.
On a side note, if your windows are really old, prepare for a transformation. I was amazed at how much quieter and cooler my house was after replacement. The timeline felt long while I was waiting, but once they were in, it was so worth it. So hang in there, it's worth the wait!
Totally agree with @philosophy471. I had some rooms that would get so hot in the afternoons. After the new energy-efficient windows, the difference was night and day. My electric bill even went down a bit. So, a few months of waiting for decades of improvement—I'll take that trade-off.
I know we’ve strayed a bit from timeline to general window praise, but to loop back: it sounds like in Tampa Bay we’re generally looking at something like 8-16 weeks from order to install for most folks, with outliers on either end. And that depends on season, permit speed, product type, and company efficiency. If someone stumbles on this thread later, they’ll see plenty of examples to gauge their own project.
Update – Thanks again everyone for the fantastic input! Based on all your advice, I ended up getting quotes from three companies, including Karoly Windows & Doors and ProTech Windows & Doors. I really liked both of them.
Ultimately, I decided to go with Karoly Windows & Doors for my project (their timeline and price fit best, and they could schedule me slightly sooner). They’ve submitted the permit application to Hillsborough County, and I’m told the windows should be ready in about 10 weeks. If all goes well, installation will happen right before summer kicks into high gear. I feel much more confident now knowing what to expect. I’ll update again once everything is done.
Thank you all for turning this thread into an awesome resource for window replacement timelines! 🙂