The Hurricane Shutter Installation Process: What to Expect from Estimate to Final Inspection
Most homeowners who contact AHS have never been through a professional hurricane shutter installation before. Understanding each stage — what happens, how long it takes, and what you need to do — removes the uncertainty and helps you plan around the work. Here is the complete process as it actually happens.
Free in-home estimate and design pressure analysis
An AHS estimator visits your home, measures every opening, assesses substrate conditions (wood frame, concrete block, brick, stucco), and photographs each opening. We perform a design pressure analysis on-site using your location, building geometry, and exposure category to determine the exact shutter specification required. You receive a written estimate itemizing each opening, the specified shutter, and the installed price. Typical duration: 60–90 minutes. Cost: free.
Review and sign
Review the estimate, ask questions, and sign when you are ready to proceed. We require a deposit at signing — typically 50% for residential installations. You select your shutter type, any color options, and confirm the opening list. If anything changed since the estimate visit (a new opening you want added, an HOA requirement you discovered), this is the time to adjust.
Permit application
AHS submits the building permit application to your county building department. The application includes our design pressure analysis documentation, product approval sheets for the specified shutter, and our contractor license information. Permit turnaround varies by county: New Hanover County typically 2–5 business days, Brunswick County 3–7 days, Horry County SC 3–10 days. We handle all communication with the building department and track permit status.
Fabrication
After permit approval, your shutters are fabricated to your exact opening measurements. Storm panels are cut and drilled. Accordion shutters are assembled with tracks, bottom rails, and locks. Roll-down curtains are assembled and loaded onto their barrels. Decorative shutters are cut, formed, and powder-coated to your specified color. Fabrication typically takes 1–3 weeks depending on system type and current production volume.
Installation day
The AHS installation crew arrives, typically 2–4 technicians depending on job scope. Installation sequence: mounting hardware (tracks, headers, anchors) goes in first, anchored into the substrate using the specified fastener pattern from the design pressure analysis. For accordion shutters: the track system is set, the shutter panels are hung and adjusted, locks and bottom bars are fitted. For roll-downs: the housing is mounted, the barrel and curtain are installed, bottom bar and side seals are adjusted, and for motorized systems the motor is wired and controls are programmed. Final adjustment and operation test on every opening. Most full-home installations complete in one day.
Final inspection
Your county building inspector visits to verify the installation meets the permit specifications. AHS coordinates the inspection scheduling. The inspector checks anchor spacing and embedment depth, verifies the installed product matches the product approval on the permit, and signs off. You receive a copy of the final inspection card, which is the document your insurance company needs for the wind mitigation credit.
Walkthrough and documentation
After inspection sign-off, an AHS team member walks through every shutter with you — demonstrating operation, showing maintenance points, explaining the locking system, and answering questions. You receive all product documentation, the permit and inspection card, and our 7-year workmanship warranty documentation. For motorized systems, we configure all remotes and app integrations during this walkthrough.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
From signed contract to completed installation, the typical timeline is 3–6 weeks. The primary variable is permit turnaround time, which varies by county and time of year. During peak season (April–August), building departments can be slower and our installation schedule can be tighter. Jobs signed in the off-season (October–February) typically move faster and have more scheduling flexibility.
What You Need to Do
Very little. Clear access to each opening on installation day — furniture moved back from windows, patio furniture away from sliding doors. For condo installations, notify building management of the installation date. For HOA communities, ensure your HOA approval is in place before signing (we can advise on what documentation to submit to your HOA).
HOA note: Many Grand Strand and Brunswick County communities require HOA approval before exterior shutter installation. AHS provides sample HOA application packages with product specifications, photos of installed systems, and color samples on request. Most HOAs approve standard accordion and panel systems without conditions. Decorative Bahama and colonial shutters are frequently preferred by HOAs over aluminum panel systems.
See our full process page for more detail, or call (910) 256-1288 to get started with a free estimate.
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