Most custom build schedule slips trace back to long-lead items that weren’t ordered early enough. Cabinets, appliances, specialty windows, custom doors — items with 8–14 week lead times that need to be ordered at contract signing, not when needed. Here’s how to pre-order them the right way.
Step 1: Identify Every Long-Lead Item Before Signing
With your builder, list every item in the project that has a lead time over 6 weeks. Custom cabinets (8–12 weeks), specialty windows (10–14 weeks), professional appliances (8–16 weeks), custom doors (6–10 weeks), specialty tile or stone (8–12 weeks). Get the full list before contract signing.
Step 2: Make All Selections for Long-Lead Items First
Don’t wait to make these decisions in order. Pick cabinets, windows, doors, and appliances before the rest of your selections. Long-lead items demand early decisions, even if it feels like front-loading too much at once.
Step 3: Place Orders the Week You Sign the Contract
Orders go in the same week as contract signing. Don’t wait for permits, financing, or anything else. Long-lead orders run in parallel with other prep work. By the time you break ground, the items are already in production.
Step 4: Track and Confirm Each Order
Keep a spreadsheet of each long-lead order: vendor, item, order date, expected delivery date, current status. Check in monthly. Long-lead suppliers occasionally miss dates; catching it early is the difference between a 2-week delay and a 6-week one.
Step 5: Plan the Storage Solution
Long-lead items often arrive before the site is ready for them. Confirm where they’ll be stored — at the supplier, at the builder’s warehouse, on-site once dry-in is complete. Plan storage early to avoid scrambling when the items arrive.
Ready to Get Started?
Good Day Living manages long-lead orders aggressively to keep schedules tight. gdayliving.com or (629) 299-1460.
