What Affects Hardwood Furniture Lead Times?
Whether you’re new to Amish furniture or you’ve been eyeing it for some time, you might be wondering: “Why does it take so long to get my furniture?” Ultimately, it comes down to hardwood furniture lead times—what drives them and how to plan around them. Amazon, box stores like Ashley’s, and other online retailers boast much faster processing and shipping times for non-Amish furniture. Amish furniture also tends to be on the mid-higher end of furniture prices, so it’s valid to be concerned about this kind of investment. Fortunately, many Amish furniture owners have spoken about how worthwhile the wait is. That’s why we want to help set expectations, address concerns, and enable you to plan with confidence.
Why Amish Furniture Isn’t Fast Furniture
Four things separate Amish furniture shops from the companies that fall under the “fast” industry of big-box furniture:
No factory lines
Every piece of furniture is handcrafted by a single individual or a group of skilled builders. This hands-on process is a primary driver of hardwood furniture lead times. There is limited machinery in every shop due to the religious beliefs of the Amish communities. This dedication to age-old craftsmanship has yielded a meticulous eye for detail and precise construction.
Everything is made from real hardwoods
Each piece is crafted from American hardwoods, including Red Oak, Maple, Hickory, and other sturdy timbers. Sourcing and seasoning premium lumber also influences hardwood furniture lead times. To avoid weak frames and swelling, Amish furniture is not made from cheaper materials, such as particleboard. They design everything themselves and do not rely on imported kits.
How Custom Options Change Hardwood Furniture Lead Times
One thing you won’t find in box stores is the ability to customize every aspect of the furniture you are buying. With Amish furniture, you have the opportunity to change the wood species, stain, dimensions, drawer slides, hardware, and more. Each added option can extend hardwood furniture lead times to ensure precise fit and finish.
Each Piece is Built to Order
Amish furniture makers do not keep a large stock of their products. They do not have the warehouse room or need to make a backstock. Instead, they make a piece or set once an order has been placed. This helps them ensure a consistently fresh and high-quality product with every order. This build-on-demand model naturally affects hardwood furniture lead times compared to stocked, mass-produced pieces.
What Affects Lead Time?
Lead times in the Amish furniture companies tend to vary amongst each other, and some seasons result in longer wait times. Why is that? The answer ultimately boils down to several external factors.
- Builder schedule & volume (especially during peak seasons). Most manufacturers are small businesses; if a large influx of orders comes in (typically in early Spring and Fall), you’ll notice hardwood furniture lead times can increase by almost a month to ensure the small handful of workers can properly make all the furniture.
- Type/style of piece. If you only order one piece of furniture, you’re wait time will be significantly less than an order with multiple pieces or a complete set. If the style of the furniture is more intricate (such as traditional), it will likely take longer to build than a more straightforward style (such as shaker or modern).
- Custom options. Whenever you change the design of a piece, it will take extra time to ensure that your piece is built precisely to your specifications. Custom choices can add to hardwood furniture lead times as builders verify specs.
- Finishing, curing, and delivery prep. Finishing and curing schedules are a common source of longer hardwood furniture lead times.
- Weather, holidays, and supply availability. A nasty snowstorm can easily shut down the Amish shops and transportation companies, but most of the time, they try to push through in rough weather where they can. However, the Amish hold very tightly to their holiday traditions, and some of their holidays, like Old Christmas, can result in a shop closure, whereas other businesses tend to remain open. As for supply availability, the reality is that every material is limited, and they do their best to source their wood sustainably, never settling for a cheap replacement when their suppliers are limited. If they can’t do it right quickly, they opt to take the extra wait time to ensure their work is consistent.
What’s Available Right Now? (Showroom Selection)
If custom furniture is not a need for your home, or you’d like to be able to walk away with an item from our store, our two Heritage showrooms have a rather large selection of in-stock furniture year-round. While this selection may vary depending on trending styles and builders’ product selection, there are a few things you’re always guaranteed to find:
Lima, Ohio
|
– Versatile, mini barns/sheds – Full poly furniture sets – Adirondack chairs and gliders – Childeren’s outdoor playsets |
Elida, Ohio
|
– Dining sets – Beds and bedroom case goods – Upholstered furniture – Hardwood Occasionals and accessories |
If you’re looking to browse a selection that’s available to take home today, we’ve always got a wide array in stock, both in new and more classic styles. You’re always welcome to browse in person or call to check current availability.
When Custom Is Worth It
Customization is the best route if you need furniture that is built to fit your home, your personality, and your specific lifestyle. You’ll receive longer satisfaction, and many of our customers say they never regret the wait because they get to enjoy their furniture for the rest of their lives. Many customers say the added hardwood furniture lead times are a small trade-off for lifetime quality. You’re not just buying furniture — you’re buying what your family will gather around for decades.
What to Expect for Lead Times (General Ranges)
Typical hardwood furniture lead times are 8–12 weeks, but as mentioned earlier, this can vary. Some builders offer quick ship programs. These are pieces that can be built and shipped in a month without sacrificing quality. On the other end of the spectrum, specialty items will take longer than typical lead times due to built-in features, specialty finishes, and other additions.
At Heritage Amish Furniture, you’ll never have to be left in the dark about your order lead times. We’ll be upfront about projected lead times and always keep you updated and supported throughout the process. We’d rather take the time to get it right – and you’ll feel the difference.
How to Plan Ahead
There are times it may be beneficial to order earlier than the typical 8-12 weeks you’d like your furniture to arrive. Holidays, such as Christmas, can be a significant furniture deadline for many stores and manufacturers. Placing orders by mid-September helps you avoid extended hardwood furniture lead times before Christmas.
Be upfront with us about your timeline. Are you moving? Needing a replacement? We’ll help you find the best path. You’re always welcome to ask to see our pieces built by Amish builders with shorter timelines if you need your furniture faster. This may limit your options, but their custom orders may still be shorter. We encourage you to check in with us to see your available options.
Closing: Worth the Wait — and Built for a Lifetime
Even with the longer lead times, we’ve always enjoyed working with Amish furniture makers, and we’re always glad to hear back from so many satisfied customers. This furniture has some of the best lasting quality, personalization, and beauty. See the difference in person. We have two Ohio showrooms: Elida showcases our household furniture and some outdoor pieces, and our Lima location offers a great selection of durable outdoor furniture.
If you have questions about availability, timelines, or what’s in stock, we’re just a call or visit away.