The typical time frame for fermentation, conditioning, and carbonating is 3 weeks/3 weeks/3 days. I've since adjusted mine to 4 weeks/4 weeks/1 week as I have had an IPA change drastically from first day ready to a week later when a friend showed up to try it. Time helps the flavors meld together and gives the yeast time to clean up their byproducts from fermentation.
Don't open up your fermentor too often as each time you pull the lid it's another opportunity for contamination. I don't check mine until bottling day.
Oh, and I've had some that never bubbled, but certainly fermented.