How much schedule buffer do contractors need?
Why booking every minute leads to late arrivals, and how to plan buffer time.
Leave room between jobs
- Track real job lengths. Compare booked time to actual time for your last twenty jobs.
- Add travel time. Include parking, unloading and talking with the customer.
- Pick a buffer. Many small shops start with fifteen to thirty minutes between jobs.
- Use windows, not exact times. Give customers a window so one overrun does not break the day.
- Hold one open slot a day. It absorbs an emergency call or an overrun.
- Review monthly. Adjust the buffer as your numbers change.
Common questions
Will a buffer cost me jobs?
Fewer rushed, late jobs often means better reviews and less rework.
Is fifteen to thirty minutes right for everyone?
No. It is a starting point; use your own numbers.
See also the contractor guides and free tools.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Verify with your attorney or accountant.
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