Definition
Lead time is the calendar duration between the moment a job is committed (quote accepted, deposit paid) and the moment it is delivered or installed. It includes material procurement, production, finishing, packing and install scheduling. Lead time is the metric clients ask about most consistently.
Example
Worked exampleA kitchen quoted with 4-week lead time: week 1 — material procurement + initial cutting; weeks 2–3 — assembly and finishing; week 4 — install. Lead time pressure usually shows up at procurement (material delays) or assembly (capacity constraints).
Why it matters
Quoted lead time and actual lead time often differ. Tracking the gap reveals where promises slip — usually at supplier handoffs or assembly capacity. Reducing lead time variance is more valuable than reducing average lead time, because variance is what damages client relationships.