Lead Time for Finished Cabinet Doors From Cutting Edge

Learn about the 4-6 week lead time for finished cabinet doors from Cutting Edge and how to avoid delays to keep your projects on schedule.

A kitchen island with blue painted cabinet doors, a stainless steel farmhouse sink, and a built-in butcher block board. Finished cabinet doors take longer to make than raw cabinet doors.
Image provided by The Kitchen Centre Ltd., customer

Imagine this: you’re halfway through a big project, everything’s running smoothly, and then you realize your cabinet doors won’t arrive on time. Suddenly, your schedule is in jeopardy, your clients are frustrated, and your reputation is at risk. Misunderstanding the lead time for finished cabinet doors can throw off your entire project timeline.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

At Cutting Edge, we know how important it is to get your cabinet doors on time. We have over 20 years of experience making finished cabinet doors. Our team commits to shipping at least 95% of orders on time, and communicating any delays well in advance. In this article, we’ll cover:

Standard Lead Time for Finished Cabinet Doors

At Cutting Edge, most finished cabinet doors ship within 4 to 6 weeks. However, the clock doesn’t start until you’ve paid for and confirmed your order. It’s important to remember that this lead time doesn’t include weekends or holidays, which can add a few extra days depending on the timing.

This 4 to 6-week window is typical for standard orders, but customizations and other factors can extend it. Knowing these factors ahead of time will help you better plan your projects.

Three Factors Affect the Lead Time for Finished Cabinet Doors

Several variables influence how long it will take to get your finished cabinet doors. Understanding these factors can help you avoid unnecessary delays and ensure your schedule stays on track.

1. Custom Finishes

Custom finishes are the biggest factors that can extend your lead time. You’re looking at a 6-week lead time minimum if you request a custom finish. Why? The process is detailed and takes time. Getting a custom match is a three-step process.

  1. You must provide a sample of the finish. (1 week)
  2. Our supplier matches the finish and ships the sample back to us. (1-2 weeks)
  3. We create a sample and send it to you for approval. (1-2 weeks)

The approval process alone can take up to four weeks. Only once the finish is approved does production start, which adds time to the overall process. If you’re looking for a unique look for your project, it’s important to plan for this additional time.

Custom finished cabinet doors, like this black painted door with gold marbling, take longer than standard finished doors.

2. Finishing Method

How we finish your cabinet doors also impacts how long it takes to complete your order. At Cutting Edge, we use the Guffey System, which allows our team to spray the doors vertically. This method allows us to finish both sides of the doors more efficiently, reducing the overall lead time.

However, expect an additional one or two working days if you prefer your doors to be sprayed flat. Flat spraying requires us to wait for one side of the door to dry before finishing the other, adding time to the process.

Finished cabinet doors hanging on a rack provided by Guffey Systems. Spraying cabinet doors vertically takes less time than the traditional flat method.

3. Custom Pieces

When you order custom pieces, such as feature items or range hoods, the production time can be longer. Simpler custom pieces, like decorative end panels, might only add a day or two to the lead time. However, more complex pieces, like range hoods or detailed custom designs, can add one or two weeks.

If your project includes custom work, it’s crucial to factor this into your timeline to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Custom finished products, like this Walnut angled range hood, take longer to produce.

Three Potential Problems That Could Delay Your Cabinet Doors

Even with the best planning, unexpected problems can arise. Understanding potential issues ahead of time can help you prepare and avoid unnecessary stress.

1. Waiting for Confirmation and Payment

Your order doesn’t go into production until we receive your payment and confirmation. It’s easy to miss a notification email if you’re busy, but that delay can push back your entire timeline. To help, our team follows up by phone within three working days to remind you, but the sooner you confirm, the sooner we can get started.

2. Finishing Issues

Although rare, finishing issues can occur. Sometimes, an order might not pass our strict quality inspection due to finishing issues like inconsistent colouring, runs, drips, overspray and other problems. We remake any defective pieces before shipping you the order. Depending on the severity of the defect and the solution, finishing issues could extend your lead time by several weeks. However, we’d rather take the time to get it right instead of sending you a product that doesn’t meet our high standards.

3. Weather Conditions

Cold weather can impact the drying time of finishing products. Unexpected temperature drops could extend your lead time by one or two working days. While we do our best to account for weather-related delays in our scheduling, unusual weather can sometimes push back your delivery date.

Cutting Edge Communicates Order Delays by Email

We understand that delays can be frustrating, especially when you’re working on a tight deadline. That’s why at Cutting Edge, we commit to notifying you of any delays at least 24 hours in advance. This way, you can adjust your schedule and communicate with your clients if needed.

In rare cases where an issue arises at the last minute – such as discovering a defective piece just before shipping – the delay will usually be no more than one or two days. We always strive to get your doors to you as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality.

A Cutting Edge employee sitting at her desk. Cutting Edge notifies you by email if your finished cabinet doors are delayed.

Two Ways to Get Your Finished Cabinet Doors Sooner

While our standard lead time is 4-6 weeks, there are a couple of ways to speed up the process and get your cabinet doors sooner.

1. Place Your Order Online

You can save one or two working days by placing your order online. Online orders prompt you to pay upfront, meaning we can immediately begin processing your order without waiting for confirmation. This simple step can help you receive your doors faster and keep your project on schedule.

2. Request a Rush Order

For projects with tight deadlines, you can request a rush order. While rush orders for raw cabinet doors ship within 3-5 working days, finished cabinet doors take longer – usually two weeks. When requesting a rush order, provide the date you need the doors by. If we meet that date, there’s an extra charge of $25 or 10% of the total order, whichever is greater. If we miss the date, there’s no additional fee.

Price Out Your Finished Cabinet Doors

Now that you’ve learned about the factors influencing the lead time for finished cabinet doors, you’re better prepared to plan your projects. At Cutting Edge, we understand that delays are more than just an inconvenience – they impact your business and reputation. 

Understanding the potential problems and factors that can affect your timeline empowers you to plan your schedule with accuracy. When you’re ready to order your finished cabinet doors, take the first step towards staying on schedule by learning how to submit a quote online.

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