How long does shopfront installation take? A realistic timeline.

If you've decided to fit a new shopfront, the next question is usually "how long will it take?" — both because you need to plan around trading and because every installer gives a slightly different answer. This piece sets out realistic timelines for UK shopfront work in 2026, from first survey to handover, and explains the factors that genuinely move the needle on speed.

Headline timeline: 3–4 weeks total

For a standard high-street retail unit on a non-listed, non-conservation building, the realistic end-to-end timeline is:

• Week 1: Survey, design, quote agreed, deposit paid
• Weeks 2–3: Fabrication in the workshop
• Week 4: Install on site (1–2 days), snagging, handover

That's the achievable target on a well-prepared project where the customer makes decisions promptly and the installer has workshop capacity. In practice, projects often slip to 5–8 weeks because of indecision over colour or finish, customer travel, materials availability, or planning approval.

Step-by-step breakdown

Step 1: Survey and quote (1–2 days from initial enquiry)

A surveyor visits the premises, takes accurate measurements (down to 1mm tolerance for the opening), photographs existing conditions, discusses your spec preferences, and identifies any constraints — access, parking, neighbouring premises, signage requirements. From the survey, a written quote is typically produced within 72 hours.

Where this stage runs slow: customers wanting multiple quotes from competing installers (each takes 3–5 days), surveyors having a 1-week wait list during peak season (Feb–May and Aug–Oct).

Step 2: Spec confirmation and deposit (1–7 days)

Once the quote is agreed, you sign the order, pay the deposit (typically 25–35%), and we lock the spec — material, colour, glass spec, hardware. From this point, changes start costing money because materials get ordered and workshop time is allocated.

Where this stage runs slow: customers undecided on colour or finish (paint sample boards take 5–10 days to produce), waiting for landlord consent on shop alterations, waiting for insurance approval on the spec.

Step 3: Fabrication (2–3 weeks for standard, 4–6 weeks for bespoke)

Most aluminium shopfronts are fabricated in 2–3 weeks because the components are stocked and the workshop process is well-established. Glass is ordered fresh from glaziers (typically 5–7 days for toughened safety glass, longer for laminated or low-E specs). Powder-coat finishing adds another 5–7 days. Hardware, ironmongery and signage run in parallel.

Hardwood timber shopfronts take longer — 4–6 weeks is realistic — because joinery is hand-assembled, multi-coat paint systems need cure time, and any decorative cornicing needs separate fabrication.

Where this stage runs slow: bespoke colours (powder coat in non-standard RAL adds a week), oversized glass panels (specialist suppliers, 3–4 week lead times), custom signage with bespoke lettering forms, and any imported components.

Step 4: On-site installation (1–2 days for standard, 2–4 days for complex)

For a standard 4–5m aluminium frontage with single entrance door, on-site fit is typically 1 day:

• 07:00–09:00 — protective board-up, removal of existing frontage
• 09:00–14:00 — new frame fitted, glass installed, doors hung
• 14:00–17:00 — sealants applied, signage fitted, interior making-good
• 17:00–18:00 — clean-down, snagging walk with customer, handover

Larger frontages, glass-led specifications, units requiring scaffolding, and projects with significant making-good (replastering, retiling) typically run to 2 days. Out-of-hours work to keep the shop trading adds time because the team is working in shorter windows.

Step 5: Snagging and handover (same day to 7 days)

At handover the customer walks the work with the installer and notes any snags — small cosmetic issues, missing trims, sealant adjustments. Most snags are resolved within a week of handover. Final invoice is paid at this point.

What can speed it up

• Decide spec quickly. Customers who pick colour, glass and hardware in week 1 save 1–2 weeks over those who deliberate. A good installer will give you a sample board and 2–3 days to decide; longer than that costs you the start date.
• Confirm landlord consent before ordering. Most landlords approve shopfront work within 1–2 weeks of being asked, but if you order the materials before consent and the landlord refuses, you've lost the deposit.
• Use stocked profile and standard colours. RAL 9005 (jet black), RAL 9010 (white), RAL 7016 (anthracite) and a small handful of others are stocked by aluminium suppliers and are available immediately. Bespoke colours add a week.
• Don't change spec mid-project. Mid-project changes create waste, rework, and almost always add 1–3 weeks.
• Have signage artwork ready early. Sign fabrication runs in parallel to frontage fabrication, but only if the artwork is signed off in week 1. Artwork delivered in week 3 means the sign isn't ready when the frontage installs.

What slows it down

• Planning permission required. Add 8–14 weeks to the timeline. Listed buildings can add 12–16 weeks.
• Unknown structural condition. If we discover during install that the lintel above the opening is failing, work pauses for structural remediation. Always do a survey of the existing structure before committing to a fit date.
• Conservation officer requirements. Even where formal planning isn't needed, conservation areas often require informal officer agreement on spec — typically a 2–3 week back-and-forth.
• Bespoke fabrication. Curved profiles, oversized panels, hand-carved cornicing — all add fabrication weeks.
• Material shortages. Aluminium and glass have been volatile post-2022. Lead times can extend by 1–3 weeks during shortages.
• Customer indecision. The single biggest cause of slippage we see, by a wide margin.

Out-of-hours and overnight installation

For shops that can't lose a trading day, we offer overnight and weekend installation:

• Overnight fit: Team arrives at 5pm or 6pm, works through to 7am or 8am, leaves before opening. Best for standard aluminium replacement on accessible high streets. Premium of about 25–30% on labour.
• Sunday fit: Some retailers prefer Sunday installation because trading is typically lower than weekdays. Same labour premium as overnight.
• Phased / staged fit: Multi-day installations broken into shorter shifts spread over a week, so each individual shift is short enough to maintain trading. More expensive in total labour but minimal trading impact.

Emergency and rapid-response timelines

For genuine emergencies — break-in, vehicle impact, storm damage — the timeline collapses dramatically:

• Same day: Plywood board-up, secure the premises overnight
• Within 48 hours: Replacement glass measured and ordered
• 3–7 days: Replacement glass fitted, premises restored

For full frontage replacement after a serious incident (vehicle through the window), the standard 3–4 week timeline still applies — but the emergency board-up keeps you trading in the meantime.

Realistic timeline if you're starting today

If you call us today and want a new shopfront fitted as quickly as possible:

• Best case: 4 weeks (urgent slot, standard spec, prompt decisions, no planning)
• Typical case: 6–8 weeks (standard spec, normal pace, no planning)
• With planning: 14–18 weeks (depending on council)
• Listed building: 18–24 weeks (depending on council)

Want a fixed timeline on your specific project?

Our surveyors can give you a project-specific timeline at the survey stage — we'll factor in our current workshop capacity, planning requirements (if any), and your trading constraints. Request a quote or call 0800 088 6248.

For pricing context to go with the timeline, see our 2026 UK shopfront cost guide.