Custom office furniture, including bespoke reception desks and custom joinery, typically has a lead time of 8 to 14 weeks or longer. Standard commercial furniture held in stock by Melbourne suppliers usually takes 2 to 6 weeks.
Coordinating your furniture order with your construction timeline is the most critical factor in avoiding a vacant office on move-in day.
Differences between standard and custom lead times
Standard commercial products held in stock typically arrive within 2 to 6 weeks. Custom pieces, such as bespoke reception desks, custom joinery, or non-standard configurations, require 8 to 14 weeks or more. The general rule of thumb is to start your furniture selection process at the same time as your fitout design process to ensure alignment.
Risks of late furniture procurement
Ordering furniture after fitout construction is nearly complete often leads to expedite fees or an office with no workstations. If construction finishes in six weeks and furniture is not yet ordered, businesses face the risk of rushing critical decisions. This stage is also where hidden costs emerge, such as delivery to upper floors in Melbourne CBD buildings and the time required for installation and assembly of 50 or more workstations.
How local manufacturing affects timelines
Progressive Office manufactures furniture in Melbourne to provide better quality control and avoid the months of waiting associated with overseas shipping. Local stock holding reduces the lead time for standard items. Because we manage the full turnkey service from design and manufacture to delivery and installation, we can integrate the furniture selection with the construction schedule.
How to plan your furniture timeline
Visit our Knoxfield or Kilsyth showrooms to assess finishes and test products in person before committing. Bring your floor plan and budget to a free design consultation so our team can provide a clear project timeline. We can then help you decide where to invest in bespoke pieces for high visibility areas and where to use standard stock for back office storage.
Frequently asked questions
Can custom lead times be shortened?
Expedited manufacturing and priority scheduling are possible but typically increase the total cost of the project.
When should I begin the selection process?
You should begin selecting your furniture at the same time you begin your fitout design process.
Which items typically require 8 to 14 weeks for delivery?
Bespoke reception desks, custom joinery, and non-standard furniture configurations generally fall into this timeframe.
Questions to ask your supplier before you buy
- Do you manufacture your own furniture in Melbourne or are you a reseller?
- Does the quote include all labour for installation, packaging removal, and delivery to upper floors in the CBD?
- What specific warranty applies to both the furniture and the workmanship of the installation?
