Updated · 3 min read
In short
- Made-to-measure windows and doors often take several weeks.
- Choose integrated appliances before the kitchen units are finalised.
- Plan backwards from the date each material must be on site, plus a margin.
Windows and glazing, among the slowest
Made-to-measure windows and doors (custom sizes, specific colour) often take several weeks to manufacture, sometimes longer in busy periods. Ordering them only when the rest of the work reaches that point risks stalling the whole site, because the next phases (insulation, external finishes) depend on the windows already being in.
Fitted furniture and integrated appliances
Made-to-measure furniture (kitchen, walk-in wardrobe) goes through design, confirmation and manufacture that can take several weeks, and integrated appliances must be chosen and ordered before the furniture is finalised, because the exact niche sizes depend on the appliances, not the other way round. Reversing the order — furniture first, then hunting for an appliance that fits — seriously limits your options.
Imported materials or limited editions
Some finishing materials (tiles, flooring) are imported and have limited local stock that can run out without clear warning. A model chosen at an early design stage may no longer be available a few months later, so reserving or ordering early, even before you physically need the material, reduces the risk of having to change a design already settled.
How to plan delivery times realistically
Practical planning works backwards — the date each material must be on site, minus the supplier's stated lead time, minus a margin for possible delays. This list, made at the design stage, avoids the common situation where work stands still waiting for a material ordered too late.