Pros and Cons of Requesting a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors
Wondering if a rush order for cabinet doors is worth it? Learn the pros, cons, and how to avoid the rush fee while staying on schedule.
You’re trying to decide if requesting a rush order for your cabinet doors is worth it. Your project timeline just hit a bump, and you need cabinet doors fast. But before you ask for a rush, you wonder – Is it really worth the extra cost? What happens if it’s delayed anyway? Will it actually keep your job on track?
At Cutting Edge, we produce thousands of cabinet doors each month, and at least a hundred of those are rush orders. We’ve helped contractors complete last-minute kitchen installations, custom vanities, and showroom displays on tight deadlines. We understand that you can’t afford delays, and our process is designed to help you avoid them.
This article will help you:
- Understand what a rush order is and how it works
- Weigh the pros and cons of rushing your cabinet door order
- Decide when a rush order makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
- Learn ways to get your doors faster without paying the rush fee
By the end of this article, you’ll know whether paying extra for a rush order is worth it.
A Rush Order Helps You Receive Your Cabinet Doors Sooner
When your schedule is tight, a rush order may seem like your only option. A rush order is a request to expedite your cabinet door order, usually by paying an extra fee. This moves your order ahead of others in the queue, often targeting a specific ship date.
Rush orders are most commonly used when:
- A project deadline gets moved up unexpectedly
- A mistake needs correcting fast
- You forgot to place the order earlier
If you’ve never placed a rush order before, understanding both the upside and downside can help you make the right decision.
Pros of Requesting a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors
Rush orders are sometimes the only way to keep your job from stalling. But are they worth it? Let’s break down the benefits.
Rush Orders Ship Sooner Than Standard Orders
When time is money, speed matters. Rush orders move your job up the line so you get your doors days (or even weeks) faster than the standard lead time.
This helps when:
- You’ve got trades scheduled who can’t wait
- You’re holding up other parts of the project
- You need to finish the job to receive the final payment
Rush orders help you deliver on tight timelines and complete your job without delaying other trades.
Rush Orders Ship On Your Requested Ship Date (Or Your Money Back)
We know how risky rush orders can feel. That’s why we offer a money-back guarantee on rush orders. If we miss your requested ship date, we refund the rush fee.
This guarantee reduces your risk. Even if your order ships a day or two later than you hoped, you still receive it sooner than standard lead times, and you haven’t lost any money.
Rush Orders Give You a Competitive Advantage
If your competitor says it’ll take five weeks and you can have it done in three, guess who wins the job?
Rush orders give you an edge. They help you land last-minute installs, say “yes” to more jobs, and build a reputation as the contractor who always delivers, especially in high-end or fast-paced projects where clients expect things to move quickly.
Rush Orders Help Salvage Client Trust After a Delay
Even the best-run jobs can hit a snag. Maybe the wrong doors were ordered, or the client made last-minute changes. Whatever the cause, a rush order can help you recover fast.
You can demonstrate accountability by fixing the issue quickly. That responsiveness goes a long way in rebuilding trust and protecting your reputation.
Cons of Requesting a Rush Order for Cabinet Doors
Rush orders can save a project, but they’re not always the best solution. Here’s what you need to watch out for.
Rush Orders Cost More Than Standard Orders
Rush orders incur a fee that covers the extra coordination, schedule adjustments, and resources needed to prioritize your job.
At Cutting Edge, our rush fee starts at $25. For orders over $250, the extra cost is 10% of the subtotal. Standard shipping charges also apply, which vary depending on your location, the size of the order, and whether you need expedited shipping.
Rush Orders Leave Little Room for Changes
Because rush orders move through production so quickly, there’s little opportunity to make changes once the order is submitted. We lock in the sizes, finishes, and materials almost immediately so our team can start building right away.
Even something as small as a shipping address change can cause delays or additional costs when an order is already on the fast track.
Rush Orders Can Still Miss the Target Ship Date
We do everything possible to hit your requested date. But things can still go sideways – one of our team members makes a mistake, a door doesn’t meet our quality standards, or the shipping company doesn’t arrive as scheduled.
We’ll never rush a poor-quality product out the door to achieve the date you request. However, that can mean your rush orders don’t ship on the date you expect.
Rush Orders Aren’t Always Available
Rush orders aren’t always available or possible. We may not be able to meet your requested ship date (even with a rush) if our production line is at capacity. This limitation is more common during busy times such as Christmas.
The door style matters too. Standard profiles are easier to fast-track, but custom designs or painted finishes may require more time and can’t always be rushed without affecting quality.
The bottom line is, you can’t always rely on rush orders to save the day.
When Is Requesting a Rush Order the Right Choice?
Rush orders make the most sense when:
- You’re waiting on cabinet doors to finish the job
- You’re facing payment penalties or delays
- You need to meet a non-flexible install date
- You’re trying to fix a mistake quickly
- You’re working with a high-stakes or high-profile client
In these cases, the cost of a rush is often far less than the cost of delay. A rush order can help you keep your schedule and reputation intact if the cabinet doors are the only thing holding you back from completion.
When Is Requesting a Rush Order the Wrong Choice?
However, a rush order may not be the right move if:
- You haven’t confirmed the measurements or other details
- You expect to make last-minute changes
- The rest of your project isn’t ready
- Your timeline has wiggle room
- You’re ordering during a peak production period
If there’s any uncertainty in your project details or install timing, rushing may do more harm than good. Waiting until everything is locked in can save you from avoidable mistakes and added costs.
The good news? Even if you choose not to rush your order, there are still smart ways to reduce your lead time without extra costs.
3 Ways to Get Your Order Sooner Without Requesting a Rush Order
You don’t always have to pay extra to get your order faster. Here are three simple ways to shorten your timeline without a rush fee:
- Place your order online. Orders placed through our online portal enter production sooner. The system will prompt you for payment if needed, and we can begin working on your order without delay.
- Provide a requested ship date. If your requested date falls within our standard lead time and our line isn’t full, we’ll do our best to meet it without charging a rush fee.
- Submit all necessary information and confirm your order promptly. The more info you provide upfront (measurements, materials, finishes, shipping details), the faster we can process your order. Delays often come from missing information or slow responses to confirmations.
Taking these steps can often save you time. But if speed is still your top priority, or if your project can’t afford a delay, a rush order might still be your best bet.
Discover The Extra Cost Of A Rush Order For Cabinet Doors
You’ve learned the pros and cons of placing a rush order for cabinet doors. Sometimes it’s the smartest way to stay on schedule. Other times, it adds cost without saving much time. You’ve also seen that there are easy ways to speed things up.
At Cutting Edge, we’re here to help you hit your install dates with confidence. Whether you choose a rush or not, our team is committed to delivering quality cabinet doors that support your success. Your next step is to learn how much requesting a rush order adds to the price of your cabinet doors.
