Launching methods and the balance between construction and fitting out

Is there a rule of thumb for construction time versus fitting-out time on modern ships?

It depends on the launch method, how work is allocated and the yard facilities; dry-dock construction can allow more fitting out before float-out.

There is no fixed rule dividing a modern ship's construction time from fitting out. A slipway launch requires attention to weight distribution and equipment that could be damaged when the hull enters the water. A dry-dock float-out can allow more equipment to be installed before launch. Some British construction delays are also attributed to a deliberate decision to spread the build over time. The Type 26 example adds a separate problem of yard facilities and moving ships between construction and fitting-out sites. Early ships are described as being transferred by barge and then placed in a dock for later work. Protective work required for that transfer could subsequently need removing or redoing. Improving the yard's facilities could have simplified the sequence and reduced duplicated effort.