Authorized Dealers: Make Lead Times Work for You, and Win More Jobs

When it comes to natural stone projects, timing is everything! If you're a Core Authorized Dealer, understanding lead times—and how to work with them—can make all the difference in your customer experience. While longer lead times might seem like a hurdle, with the right questions and provisions, you can use them to your advantage, whether the project is a custom fireplace, a backyard patio, or a full-scale home build.

Loading a flat bed with Delgado Thinstone Veneer material to ship to an Authorized Dealer

Lead times for natural stone manufacturing refer to the time between placing an order and when that material is ready for delivery or pickup. Factors may include availability of the natural stone material, the quantity needed--and sometimes, the season. Lead times can vary from days to weeks. But even if your project is starting in a few days, and our lead time is two weeks, we can often work with you to get the necessary materials on the ground. 

The answers to these 4 questions will allow us to help you secure material and the timeline, and ensure a rewarding project outcome.

1. What color (collection) and cut (pattern?)
2. How much material is needed?
3. What is your project timeline?
4. Any special considerations (including how much material is needed to get started ?)

For example, let's say a customer is starting a 1,000 SF Thinstone Veneer project next Monday, and lead time is 2 weeks. If they need 500 SF to get the project started, we may be able to coordinate getting a smaller amount to you in time for the start date, while the rest of the order processes. 

While this may not always be possible, know that often, we CAN accommodate and bring the details together for you with the material you originally planned to use. Not having to disappoint customers, or revisit the selection process, will save everyone time and effort, and create finished spaces and customer satisfaction more efficiently!

This is one of many ways we live our Brand Promises in our Authorized Dealer partnerships: Thoughtful planning and problem-solving begin with asking the right questions--and helps you stay ahead of the curve and your timeline. We look forward to aligning with you to build rewarding projects, great customer relationships, and achieve personal and professional growth together!