Planning a window and door project, from first drawing to install day

What are the steps in a window and door project?

A typical project runs in seven steps: design, selection, quote, permit checks, ordering, delivery, and installation. Steps overlap, and each job differs. This is a general sequence, so ask your supplier how it runs its own projects.

Honey Rock Window and Door describes its work as running “from the initial design process to the final installation.” The table below shows how that span usually breaks down for a custom home or major remodel.

Step	What happens	What you decide
1. Design	Openings, sizes and swings are drawn	Where glass goes, how doors open, views
2. Selection	Product, frame and glass are chosen	Frame material, glass package, finish, hardware
3. Quote	The supplier prices your exact openings	Budget, options, alternates
4. Permits and approvals	The city or district reviews plans	Who files, what drawings are needed
5. Ordering	Final sizes, drawings and finishes are approved	Sign-off on every opening
6. Fabrication and delivery	The maker builds; products ship	Delivery date, storage on site
7. Installation	Frames are set, sealed and checked	Access, schedule, final inspection

What should I decide before I ask for a quote?

Decide the openings, the look and the budget range first. A clear brief gets a clearer quote. You do not need every answer. You need the big ones: what type of project, which walls have glass, and what style of frame you want.

Start with these questions:

1. Is this a new build, a remodel or a commercial project? Honey Rock’s contact form lists those three project types.
2. Which openings are windows, which are doors, and how does each open? Compare options on our casement, fixed and French door pages.
3. Which frame material do you want? See our frame comparison guide.
4. What energy target do you need? See our SHGC and U-factor guide.
5. Is the home in a historic or conservation district? See the historic districts guide.

Large panes need an early decision. Jada notes that “oversize glass can dramatically affect the overall cost and the warranty of the fenestration on a project,” and that many vendors limit warranty by glass size, so qualify this “as a part of the design process.” Read our glass options guide before you draw big panes.

What should I send to get an accurate quote?

Send plans, a schedule of openings, sizes, location and photos. The more complete your package, the less guessing. The table shows what helps and why.

Item to send	Why it helps
Floor plans and elevations	Shows every opening and how it sits in the wall
Window and door schedule	Lists type, size, swing and glass for each opening
Rough opening sizes	Lets the supplier size the frame to fit
Project address	Sets the city, permit office and any district rules
Target schedule	Frames the lead time conversation
Photos of existing openings (remodel)	Shows condition, trim, and access
Notes on style and finish	Keeps the first quote close to what you want
Energy and code targets	Lets the supplier pick matching glass and ratings

A rough opening is the framed hole a unit fits into. It is not the same as the frame size. Our post on rough opening vs frame size explains the difference. If you are not sure of your numbers, say so, and ask who will verify them.

Honey Rock’s contact form also asks for a preferred date, a budget and a message. Fill those in if you can. They tell the team what you expect.

What lead time questions should I ask?

Ask every maker for a written lead time for your exact configuration. Do not assume one. Lead time depends on the product, the size, the finish, the factory queue and shipping. Honey Rock does not publish a lead time.

Bertrand does publish ranges in its FAQ. They are Bertrand’s figures for its own products shipped from Poland, not a promise from Honey Rock.

Bertrand FAQ item	As Bertrand publishes it
Aluminum constructions	“Aluminum constructions are made in 7-8 weeks.”
Air freight	“Air freight takes 7-10 days”
Container transport	“container transport takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the construction location”
Total lead time	“Total lead time, depending on the product and location, takes 5 to 16 weeks.”

Questions to put in writing:

• What is the lead time from approved drawings to delivery for my products?
• Does the clock start at order, at drawing approval or at deposit?
• Which items are the longest, such as large doors or special finishes?
• How are products shipped, and who handles damage in transit?
• What happens to the schedule if I change a size after approval?
• Can the order ship in phases to match the build?

How do permits and approvals fit into the schedule?

Permits come before install, and sometimes before ordering. Rules differ by city and change over time. As of November 2026, three DFW cities say window work needs a permit. Check yours before you set a date.

City	What its page says	Our area page
Dallas	“A Residential Permit is an official approval from the City of Dallas that allows you to start construction, renovation, or major repairs on your home.”	Dallas
Fort Worth	“Replacement or addition of exterior doors, windows or burglar bars requires a building permit.”	Fort Worth
Southlake	“Window replacement does require a permit.”	Southlake

Dallas does not say, on the page we read, whether a like-for-like window swap needs a permit. Ask Dallas Development Services. For the Park Cities, ask the town or city that issues your permits.

If your home is in a Dallas Landmark district, you may also need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Dallas says these “are required before exterior work (including landscaping) can begin on City of Dallas Landmarks or on structures in Landmark districts.” Build that review into your schedule, since it can take longer than a permit. This is general information, not legal advice.

What can slow a project down?

Late decisions, wrong sizes and missing approvals cause most delays. Changing a size after drawings are approved can restart fabrication. A permit or district review that starts late can hold the install date. Long shipping times add to both.

Plan for these common causes:

• Rough openings that differ from the drawings.
• Finish or glass changes after the order.
• Large glass sizes that need a special supplier or crane.
• A Certificate of Appropriateness or permit review that has not been filed.
• Site access that is not ready when units arrive.

Build slack into your schedule. If a date matters, such as a move-in or a closing, tell the supplier at the first meeting and ask for a written plan that works backward from it.

How do I check the energy ratings before I order?

Ask for the NFRC rating of each product type, with your glass and grid. Compare whole-window numbers to your target. Jada’s checklist is a good model. It says to “confirm that the energy performance values quoted are for the unit value and not the center of glass values.”

It also says to “check the NFRC website to verify that each product type is currently rated.” Learn to read the rating in our NFRC label guide, and see the NFRC label entry for a short definition. Keep the rating sheets in your project file. Your city may ask for them at permit review.

What happens at delivery and installation?

Plan site access, storage and a clear schedule. Large units need space, and crews need a clear path. Installation sets the frame in the rough opening, then seals and flashes it. Good install work keeps air and water out.

The Department of Energy says “good installation practices will minimize air infiltration around fenestration products.” Flashing and sealant details matter as much as the unit itself. Ask who installs, who supervises, and who handles warranty service after install.

Ask these questions before delivery day:

1. Who checks the rough openings before the units arrive?
2. Where will the units be stored, and who protects them?
3. How will large glass or doors reach the opening?
4. Who inspects the work, and who corrects punch-list items?

How do builders and architects work with Honey Rock?

Builders and architects can bring Honey Rock in during design, so openings, glass and details work together. Honey Rock’s contact form lists “Builder Referral” among the ways people hear about the company. See the builders and architects page for how to start.

Send the plan set and a draft window schedule. Ask for product data, ratings and lead time answers in writing. Early input saves redraws. A custom home project often goes better when the supplier sees the drawings before framing starts.

A short kickoff meeting helps. Bring the plans, the schedule, the energy target and a list of open questions. Agree on who owns each task: measuring, drawings, permits, ordering, delivery and install. Write the agreement down and share it with the whole team.

Next step

Gather your plans, schedule, rough openings and photos. Then talk with Honey Rock Window and Door about your project. Start on the builders and architects page, then use Start your project or call (214) 484-9982.