A reliable cabinet delivery schedule for new construction works backward from the install date: lock the spec early, order about a week before the house is ready, and have cabinets land after drywall and HVAC are in. With delivery in 1–5 days, cabinets arrive close to install instead of sitting on site.
Summary
- Cabinets should arrive after the house is dried in, drywall is finished and the HVAC is running.
- This timeline counts backward from the day your crew starts setting cabinets.
- On a subdivision, order lot by lot on the build cycle, not the whole phase at once.
- Both sequences are common; the key is choosing one and repeating it on every lot.
When Cabinets Should Arrive on a New Build
Cabinets should arrive after the house is dried in, drywall is finished and the HVAC is running. Earlier than that, they sit in a space with no climate control and get in the way of other trades.
Wood moves with humidity. The ECG warranty applies to cabinets in year-round climate-controlled homes and excludes damage from storage, excess humidity and uncontrolled spaces. Delivering when the house can protect the cabinets is both good practice and the condition for coverage.
Week-by-Week Cabinet Schedule for One House
This timeline counts backward from the day your crew starts setting cabinets. Adjust the early steps to your build cycle; the last two weeks are where the short delivery window helps.
| When | Step | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Before the phase starts | Lock the cabinet spec for each plan: finish, SKU list, format | Builder, purchasing |
| At framing | Confirm buyer options and send the takeoff for a quote | Purchasing |
| Quote returned | Pricing, stock and freight within 1 business day | ECG |
| After drywall | Field-measure the kitchen and baths against the plan | Superintendent, installer |
| About 1 week before install | Place the order with lot number and delivery date | Purchasing |
| 1–5 days after order | Delivery to the lot, warehouse or showroom | ECG |
| Delivery day | Count, inspect and note damage on the receipt | Site lead |
| Install day | Set cabinets; countertop template follows | Your crew or installer |
ECG supplies and delivers. Installation is done by your crew or installer.
Scheduling Deliveries Across a Phase of Lots
On a subdivision, order lot by lot on the build cycle, not the whole phase at once. Each order is a repeat of the plan spec with a new lot number and date.
There is no minimum order at ECG, so a one-house order is as easy as ten. You choose between two patterns:
| Pattern | How it works | Fits when |
|---|---|---|
| Lot by lot | Each house is ordered about a week before install and delivered to the lot | Houses finish on a staggered schedule |
| Batch to a warehouse | Several houses delivered to your climate-controlled warehouse, then moved to lots | Lots finish together or site storage is not safe |
Either way, the plan spec stays the same, so each delivery is checked against a known list.
Cabinets or Flooring First?
Both sequences are common; the key is choosing one and repeating it on every lot. The order changes how you protect floors and how you set heights.
ECG base cabinets are 34-1/2" high before the countertop, which gives a 36" counter height measured from the surface the cabinets sit on. If flooring goes in after the cabinets, account for the finished floor thickness at the dishwasher and range openings. If flooring goes first, protect it before cabinets arrive.
Storage Rules by Climate
If cabinets must wait, store them indoors in a closed, climate-controlled space. Never in a garage, trailer or open house.
| Climate | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hot, humid summers | Keep cabinets in a closed, air-conditioned space and run the HVAC before they go in |
| Cold winters, dry heat | Store inside a heated building and let cabinets adjust to the room before install |
| Dry air, big swings | Store indoors at room temperature; keep the home climate-controlled after install |
| Four seasons | Store indoors and keep the home climate-controlled year-round |
A short delivery window is the simplest storage plan: order close to install and the cabinets spend almost no time waiting. See how to store cabinets before installation for more detail.
Cabinet wood is kiln-dried before it is milled; that wood drying sets its moisture level, and an unconditioned house in a humid month can push it back up before install.
What to Check When the Truck Arrives
Inspect every delivery before the driver leaves. The warranty does not cover damage from transportation, handling or storage, so the delivery receipt is your record.
- Count boxes against the order and the plan SKU list
- Check every box for crushed corners or punctures
- Open any damaged box and photograph the cabinet
- Note damage on the delivery receipt before signing
- Move cabinets indoors to a climate-controlled room right away
Our cabinet delivery inspection checklist covers the full process for your crew.
How to Set Up Phase Deliveries With ECG
Send the plan takeoffs once, then order each lot with a date. ECG quotes within 1 business day and delivers in 1–5 days from Charlotte, NC to 31 states and Washington, DC, with freight confirmed in the quote.
See how cabinet delivery to the jobsite works, or set up a builder account through our program for builders and developers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I order cabinets for a new home?
Lock the spec early, but place the order about a week before install. ECG delivers in 1–5 days, so cabinets arrive when the house is ready.
Can ECG deliver cabinets lot by lot on a subdivision?
Yes. There is no minimum order, so each house can be ordered and delivered on its own date to the lot, your warehouse or showroom.
Can cabinets be stored in the garage until install?
No. Store cabinets indoors in a climate-controlled space. The ECG warranty excludes damage from storage and uncontrolled spaces.
What happens if the house is not ready when cabinets arrive?
Store them in a closed, climate-controlled room, not the garage. If no room is ready, push the delivery date: with a 1–5 day window, ordering later is safer than storing early.
How many days before install should cabinets be delivered?
Two to five days is a common target: enough time to inspect every carton and replace a damaged piece, short enough to avoid long storage on site.
