Patience is a Virtue

Interior Designer
Tish Mills Kirk, Tish Mills Interiors

Challenges: While the world shut down, our industry exploded. People decided to renovate, redo interiors or build new.  

Longer leads—early 2020 to now: Almost double for most items. I used to order upholstery two to four months in advance, now it’s more like six to eight months.  

Adjusting expectations: I’d rather us pay storage on items [ordered early] than have a half-finished home. All reports project well into 2022 before the supply chain issues resolve.  

Landscape Architect
Charlie Sears, Land Plus Associates

Challenges: Material and labor shortages are still prevalent across the board, from PVC piping for pools, plumbing and drainage on the front end to the plant material at the back end.

Longer leads—early 2020 to now: Nearly all lead times remain longer than before the pandemic. Some manufacturers or suppliers have good inventory but struggle to provide shipping. The most impactful situations are when the material or product is just not readily available. 

Work-arounds: The right material in the right place makes all the difference. We try to identify materials and finishes that will have longer lead times and plan ahead.

Builder
Michael Ladisic, Ladisic Fine Homes

Challenges: There’s been 15 price increases just this year on steel, and lumber has increased. Appliances are taking five to six months, compared to a month before the pandemic. You have to do a much better job of planning now.

Longer leads—early 2020 to now: Even with excellent planning, projects are taking 15%–20% longer. 

Work-arounds: I just bought 50 sheets of birch for custom cabinetry and bookshelves. I don’t have an immediate use for them, but I don’t know when I’ll have access again [so I’m storing them].