Procurement Float

Category: business

The time gap between the designer’s order date and the actual arrival/installation date at the site.

Smart designers plan for a "procurement float." They assume a 20% delay on every manufacturer shipment. By building this float into the project schedule, they prevent a situation where the client is forced to move into an empty house due to a shipping backorder.

Common Examples

• Because we included a two-month procurement float for the custom European sofa, the delivery delay didn’t impact the house’s move-in day.
• Designers who ignore procurement float metrics are constantly explaining why the client has no chairs to sit on during the holidays.