What Is A Rush Order In Cabinetry?
Need cabinet doors fast? Learn what a rush order is, how it works, and how Cutting Edge can help meet your tight timelines.
You’re here to learn about rush orders for cabinet doors. Maybe you’re on a job site and suddenly realize you forgot to order a few pieces – or your customer changed the installation date at the last minute. Either way, you’re in a bind and need a rush order. The project’s on hold, your crew can’t move forward, and your client is waiting. These situations happen, but they’re always stressful and put your schedule and reputation at risk.
At Cutting Edge, we build thousands of cabinet doors every month. We know how frustrating delays can be, especially when you’re up against tight deadlines. That’s why we offer rush orders. We’re here to help you get back on track, fast.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- What a rush order is and how it works in the cabinet industry
- How Cutting Edge handles rush lead times and costs
- What qualifies as a rush order (even if you didn’t ask for one)
- When to request a rush order
- How to place one quickly and correctly
By the end, you’ll know exactly when and how to use a rush order, whether you order from Cutting Edge or another cabinet door supplier.
A Rush Order for Cabinet Doors Shortens the Lead Time
A rush order means getting your cabinet doors built and shipped sooner than usual. It’s designed for those times when waiting isn’t an option. Most cabinet door suppliers offer some form of rush service, but the details vary.
Some suppliers only allow rushes on standard, unfinished products. Others won’t rush large or complex orders. And depending on the supplier, your rush could shorten the lead time by days or weeks.
Because every supplier handles rush orders differently, it’s important to understand how each one defines timelines, costs, and availability. In the next section, we’ll walk through how rush orders work at Cutting Edge.
Cutting Edge Offers a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors
We designed our rush order system to support you when timelines get tight. If you’re facing a deadline and can’t wait for our standard lead time, we’ll review your request, assess our schedule, and ship as soon as possible.
Our team takes these requests seriously. We won’t overpromise or commit to a date we can’t meet. That’s part of how we protect your reputation, not just ours.
Whether it’s a single door or a batch of replacements, our team is here to help you move forward.
Lead Time for a Rush Order from Cutting Edge
Most rush orders from Cutting Edge ship within three to five business days. That’s a big difference from standard lead times and can often mean the difference between staying on schedule or falling behind.
The lead time may be longer for more complex items, such as drawer boxes or anything requiring finishing. When you request a rush order, we’ll tell you what’s possible.
You also have the option to request a specific ship date or delivery date. Let us know when you need your doors to arrive, and we’ll work backwards to determine when we need to ship your order.
We will waive the rush fee if we don’t meet the ship date shown on your final order confirmation. This applies to rush orders where a specific ship or delivery date was requested and confirmed by our team. While some custom or complex items may require more time, we always provide realistic timelines.
Cost of a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors from Cutting Edge
Rush orders cause extra work behind the scenes, increasing the cost. The minimum rush fee is $25. Once your order subtotal (excluding shipping) hits $250 or more, the rush fee becomes 10% of that subtotal.
So, if your order totals $400 before shipping, the rush fee would be $40.
Shipping charges still apply to rush orders. If your subtotal is under $1,000 or if you’re shipping to a non-standard destination, you’ll see those fees added as usual. We’ll always communicate these costs upfront.
The minimum fee for rush orders is $25. If your order subtotal is $250 or more, the rush fee is 10% of your subtotal. Shipping costs are extra and apply as usual.
What Defines a Rush Order at Cutting Edge?
Sometimes a rush fee applies even if you didn’t specifically request a rush order. That’s because the definition of a rush isn’t just about what you say, it’s about what you ask for.
You may be charged a rush fee even if you didn’t specifically request one. This can happen when:
- Your requested timeline is shorter than our standard lead time
- Our production schedule is full
- Your order includes more than 10 items
In these cases, we may need to adjust our schedule to fit in your order. However, we’ll never add a rush fee without notifying you. If your order qualifies for a rush fee, we’ll flag it, explain the reason, and help you decide what works best for your schedule and budget.
When Should You Request a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors?
Rush orders are a great tool, but they’re not something you want to rely on all the time. They’re best used in time-sensitive situations, where waiting isn’t an option.
For example, requesting a rush order makes sense if:
- Your client bumped the install up
- You missed ordering a door, and the installation is already underway
Warranty orders are another time rush orders are useful – the good news is that our team rushes warranty replacements free of charge.
However, rush orders may not be worth the added cost if you’re trying to cut off a day or two or haven’t locked in your install date. Our standard lead times are already efficient, and we’ll always provide a realistic ship date that you can plan around.
How to Request a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors from Cutting Edge
Placing a rush order is simple, but accuracy is everything. The clearer your information, the faster we can confirm your order and get it moving.
First, send us your order details, including door styles, quantities, sizes, materials, and any finishing requirements. The more complete your submission, the faster we can respond.
Next, provide your preferred ship date or the day you need to receive the order. We’ll work backward to confirm whether we can meet that deadline and whether the order qualifies as a rush.
Once we’ve reviewed everything, we’ll provide a confirmation that includes the rush fee and any applicable shipping charges. If you approve, we’ll move your order into production immediately.
Is A Rush Order For Cabinet Doors Worth The Expense?
At the end of the day, we all face moments where projects encounter unexpected delays – whether because of a forgotten cabinet door, a sudden timeline shift, or a mistake that’s holding everything up. Those situations are stressful, especially when your team is waiting and your client is watching. Now that you understand what a rush order is, how it works, and when it’s worth using, you have a clear path forward when time isn’t on your side.
You don’t need to scramble next time you’re in a bind. You have options, and you’re better prepared to protect your schedule and your reputation. Your next step is to discover the pros and cons of rush orders for cabinet doors so you can decide when they’re worth it.
