SPEC WITH CONFIDENCE: AVOIDING LEAD TIME PITFALLS IN CUSTOM WOOD FLOORING

In the world of high-end residential and commercial design, timelines are tight, expectations are high—and the smallest oversight can disrupt everything. Flooring is one of the final finishes installed, but its complexity and customization make it one of the first elements that should be considered.

At Mansion Hill Custom Floors, we’ve worked alongside architects, builders, and designers long enough to know: lead time miscalculations can derail an entire project. Here’s how to stay on track.

Understand the True Lead Time Behind Custom Wood Flooring

Custom flooring is never off-the-shelf. The process often includes:

• Species sourcing (especially for rare or exotic woods)

• Acclimation time to stabilize the material on-site

• Custom milling or sizing (wide planks, herringbone patterns, etc.)

• Finishing—which may involve wire brushing, staining, sealing, and curing

Each stage adds time. While stock options may be ready in weeks, custom hardwood can require 6–10 weeks or longer depending on complexity. That’s why early planning isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Involve Your Flooring Partner Early

Builders and designers who engage us at the specification stage experience fewer delays and smoother installs. Early collaboration allows us to:

• Confirm species availability and identify supply constraints

• Recommend finishes that align with aesthetic and timeline goals

• Coordinate jobsite delivery and acclimation in sync with your build schedule

• Flag timeline risks before they disrupt other trades

Even when things are moving fast, it pays to pause and bring your flooring partner to the table. We often catch bottlenecks and offer alternatives that keep the project moving forward.

Avoid Common Scheduling Pitfalls

Some of the most common causes of flooring-related delays include:

• Underestimating acclimation needs

• Late finish selection

• Mismatched install timing with conflicting construction

We’ve built relationships with trusted domestic mills and regional suppliers to help eliminate these issues. Our team knows how to troubleshoot—and prevent—common snags that slow down progress.

Build in a Smart Buffer

For most custom projects, we recommend finalizing all flooring specifications 6–8 weeks prior to install. For imported or highly customized materials, plan for more. If you’re already in a time crunch, don’t panic—reach out. We can help revise the specs or recommend in-stock alternatives that still meet your standards.

The Mansion Hill Difference

With Mansion Hill Custom Floors, you're not just sourcing materials—you’re gaining a partner who understands how to keep your project moving without sacrificing quality or design.

We work as an extension of your team, offering:

• Hands-on consultations

• Clear timeline management

• On-site coordination

• Post-installation support

Customer Testimonial-

“We recently had Mansion Hills totally redo our first floor hard floors and add two new rooms. The work is flawless. Their crew was incredible, and their attention to detail (down to clean up, being on schedule, etc.) was very impressive. We searched around a lot on who to do this major job for us, and we were thrilled we chose the right team- Mansion Hill!”

Let’s Keep Your Next Project On Schedule

Our team is ready to help align flooring specs, lead times, and install schedules before delays

sneak in.

Call us at (859) 581-1800