The typical sequence
A door replacement project generally moves through the same stages regardless of whether it's an entry door, patio door, or garage door: an initial assessment and precise measurement of the existing opening, ordering the door (most impact-rated doors are built to order rather than pulled off a shelf), any required permitting, and then the physical install.
Precise measurement matters more for impact-rated doors than standard ones, because the frame and slab are engineered as a matched system — an opening that's off by even a small margin can affect fit, sealing, and the integrity of the impact rating itself. This is why a proper in-home assessment, not just a phone estimate, is typically the starting point.
Ordering lead time
Because impact-rated doors are manufactured to the specific dimensions and configuration of your opening, they aren't a same-day or same-week product in most cases. Lead time from order to delivery varies by manufacturer, current order volume, glass and hardware selections, and whether the configuration is a standard size or a custom one. [confirm current typical lead time] Custom sizes, non-standard glass configurations, and specialty finishes generally take longer to manufacture than standard stock configurations.
Permitting
Many door replacement projects in Florida require a building permit, particularly for impact-rated products where the permitting process verifies the installed assembly matches its Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA documentation. Permit review timelines vary by jurisdiction — some municipalities turn around residential door permits quickly, others take longer depending on current volume. A reputable installer handles the permit application and inspection scheduling as part of the project, but it's worth asking upfront whether your specific project requires a permit and roughly how long that jurisdiction's review has been taking.
Install day
The physical installation itself is usually the shortest part of the whole process. A single entry door replacement is commonly a one-day job. A garage door replacement is also typically completed in a single day for a standard configuration. Multi-door projects — replacing an entry door, patio door, and garage door together, for example — take longer simply because there's more physical work, but a well-organized crew can often still complete a moderate multi-door project within a few days rather than weeks.
After install, if a permit was pulled, a final inspection is typically required to close out the permit — your installer should schedule this and let you know when it's been passed.
What extends the timeline
A few common factors push a project beyond the typical schedule:
Custom sizing or non-standard openings. Older homes, additions, or unusual architectural openings sometimes require custom-manufactured doors rather than standard sizes, which extends manufacturing lead time.
HOA approval. If your community requires architectural review for exterior door changes — particularly on street-facing elevations — build in time for that approval process before ordering, since some HOAs meet on a monthly or bi-monthly review cycle rather than approving requests immediately.
Multi-door or combined projects. Bundling a garage door, entry door, and patio door replacement into one project (see our article on financing a door replacement project for why this can also make financial sense) is efficient overall but does add scheduling complexity compared to a single-door job.
Permit review backlogs. This varies by jurisdiction and time of year — some periods see higher permit volume than others.
Ask your installer for a written, project-specific timeline rather than relying on a general estimate, since the honest answer depends heavily on your specific door, opening, and municipality.
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