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Lead time
Lead time is the time between ordering a product and receiving the product.
Why it matters
Long lead times can stall a project even when the builder is ready to work.
Where people get this wrong
Lead time is not the same as install time. Custom and specialty items often have long lead times.
Real-world example
The tile crew is scheduled, but the tile is still on a ship. The schedule slips. That delay is lead time, not laziness.
Where this hits your build
This term shows up during construction and affects decisions that are hard to reverse once the work moves forward. Understanding it now saves time, money, and frustration later.
Most people do not just struggle with terms. They struggle with the decisions tied to them.
See how HouseChalk helps with the decisions behind terms like this