Dispatch basics: scheduling techs without double-booking
Good dispatching is mostly about realistic job lengths and keeping drive time down.
- Estimate job length from your own history. Use what similar jobs actually took.
- Group jobs by area. Fewer miles means more jobs per day.
- Leave buffer time. One late job should not wreck the afternoon.
- Send the customer a time window. Give a window you can keep rather than an exact minute.
- Keep one view of the whole day. Everyone should see the same schedule.
Common questions
How much buffer is enough?
Start with 15 to 30 minutes between jobs and adjust from your data.
What if a tech runs late?
Call the next customer early and offer a new window.
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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