Designer Insight: What Is Causing Furniture Delays?
Our clients, both old and new, are finding our concierge service even more valuable today. This turnkey process includes managing ordering, budgeting, delivery, set up and installation, so that our clients can relax and spend their valuable time running their own businesses and households. Even the best designs and management may encounter challenges and in today’s environment where delays are more commonplace, our clients can rest assured that their design team will be working hard to resolve issues and find solutions.
As designers, we are in regular contact with our manufacturers to understand any issues that may arise. Prior to the pandemic, upholstery pieces were taking 8 - 12 weeks to produce and are now taking upwards of 26 weeks. We thought it might be helpful if we shared some insight into what is causing the delays in furniture production.
- Custom furniture is made-to-order. Every aspect of your piece has to be assembled or produced including the frame and internal structure, legs, upholstery, and cushions.
- Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been production shut downs in several countries that are main centers of textile production.
- Furniture manufacturers and builders are competing for product from lumber mills. In addition, there is a shortage of container ships for imported materials coming to the U.S. and our ports are also overcrowded.
- Just as there are in many other industries, furniture factories are experiencing a skilled labor shortage.
- There is a foam shortage. One sofa may require multiple types of it to build the back, seating, and other cushioned parts.
- Once furniture is completed, pieces can take 4 weeks in shipping as trucking companies are also behind.
Hand-selecting fabrics and designing furniture specifically to fit room dimensions are just two reasons that make custom pieces worth the price and the wait. We’ve continued to order custom upholstery throughout the pandemic and always set realistic expectations with our clients. In the end, what matters the most is how happy our clients are with their finished spaces.