Appointment Buffer Time Checklist
Use this before opening more online booking slots for mobile or home visit work.
1. Measure the real appointment
- Client facing service length
- Travel from the previous likely area
- Parking, access, and setup
- Cleanup, notes, payment, and follow up
- Typical overrun and late arrival risk
2. Set separate buffer rules
- Short repeat visits
- First visits or manual review jobs
- Cross town or edge of area visits
- Services with kit, photos, pets, access, or cleanup needs
- End of day recovery margin
3. Test the booking page
- Try two nearby bookings
- Try two far apart bookings
- Add a private calendar event
- Try same day booking against your lead time
- Check what the customer sees versus what your diary blocks
4. Review after one month
- Late starts
- Missed lunch or breaks
- Manual reschedules
- Customer complaints about timing
- Jobs that regularly need more or less space