How Does C&L Ward’s Process Determine the Timeline and Schedule of My Project?
May 01, 2026 | By Pat Ward
Wondering why your installation doesn’t start right after you sign the contract? And why timelines can sometimes feel longer than expected?
The truth is, there are several critical steps that happen behind the scenes before construction begins.
While we’re happy to work with you, we can’t rush straight into construction. This doesn’t mean we aren’t working on your project, just that there are a few things we must address internally and externally to ensure your project is done right from the start.
Since 1972, we’ve helped homeowners navigate renovations and bring their visions to life. Over the decades, we have expanded our team to include a dedicated communications department assigned to every project to coordinate material(s), timelines, install crew schedules, HOA requirements, permits, and updates.
Our measure techs and warehouse personnel handle the organization and sorting of each project’s material. Our install managers are dedicated to ensuring every job is up to code, installed to C&L Ward standards, and completed to your expectations and satisfaction.
Because we understand how urgent these projects are and how eagerly you await them, we’ve created this article to help show the complexities that we take care of in-house before the more visible work begins. In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what determines your project timeline so you know what to expect and why it matters.
Table of Contents
Close the Sale
This step is complete as soon as you’ve committed to using our services and the proper forms have been signed by both parties—you and C&L Ward!
Your receipt will include a Projected Install Date or an estimate of when labor will begin on your home. This will be printed in your contract, as seen in the image above. This projected install date is an estimate, not a guaranteed start date, because several external factors can affect timing.
You will also be assigned a Project Coordinator to help communicate with manufacturers, your crew, and you throughout every step of the process.
Your Project Coordinator will reach out in the way that is most convenient for you. Some clients prefer emails, some like texts, and others prefer phone calls. The Project Coordinator will be your main point of contact throughout the entire process.
C&L Ward Inspections
Before receiving a quote, a Measure Technician came to your home. They measured your project space, inspected any existing product(s), and may have even helped you decide on a new material or color for your home.
Once you’ve hired us to complete a service, a Measure Technician will visit your home again. We believe in “measure twice, cut once” and want to be sure that we order you the right product in the right size the first time. This will happen in the first two weeks after the sale, depending on client availability.
If you are utilizing more than one of our services at the same time, one product may dictate the order of events. Siding, for example, is installed before decking. Windows are installed before siding.
Permits
Before we can start building, we likely need to secure a permit from your local municipality. All permits are pulled upon ordering or before the ordering of the project.
Permit timelines are one of the most common reasons projects are delayed. This process varies from city to city. Processing speed may depend on the size of the department and the number of employees. [1] If your previous project is no longer up to code, any necessary revisions will also be noted here.
We may also need to receive approval from your HOA. Though we try to take these requirements into account with our estimates, we do not control the timelines of these external entities.
Municipality Inspections
Your municipality may also want to inspect your home and scope it for themselves before any work begins. In some cases, tests may be necessary, which can add time depending on scheduling and requirements. For example, installing a new deck may first require checking the pH of your soil. The results of these tests may extend your timeline if any issues arise.
Product Availability and Manufacturing Time
Some materials may be readily available, while others may be a special order. An Andersen window or entry door, for example, may take 6 to 8 weeks for Andersen to produce and ship to C&L Ward. If this window or door is going to be customized in our pre-finish shop, it may take an additional 2 weeks before it is ready to be installed.
Lead times tend to extend during the spring and fall due to increased demand for certain products, like doors and windows.
Materials Arrive
The materials for your project may arrive before our crews. Decking, siding, and roofing are delivered directly to your home. Windows and doors arrive with our installers, who bring your order with them on Installation Day. Delivery timing can vary based on product type and supplier scheduling.
Installation Day
The labor at your home begins on Installation Day. Once everything is set in place and we are sure your project will be done right, our trained crews arrive at your home to begin construction. This is when visible progress begins, but it only happens after all planning, approvals, and materials are fully in place.
What Should You Look for in a Projected Timeline?
Key Takeaway: Your project timeline is determined by more than just scheduling availability. Several essential steps must take place to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance. While it may feel like a delay, this process is designed to prevent costly mistakes and ensure your project is done right the first time.
If you choose to work with C&L Ward, we appreciate and thank you for your business. We hope this article has offered you an expectation of the post-sale process and an understanding of all the complexities that go on behind the scenes to get your project, whether it be a new door or all-new siding, done.
If you’re ready to learn more about C&L Ward, you can Schedule a Consultation with one of our product experts to learn more about our pricing and the services we offer.