Scheduling Settings
Scheduling settings give you precise control over how long appointments last, how much space goes between them, and how far in advance customers can book. These settings work per appointment type, so you can tailor them to each service.
Where to find scheduling settings
- Navigate to Setup > Appointment Types.
- Click the appointment type you want to configure.
- Open the Scheduling tab in the editor.
Appointment Duration
The duration settings define how long an appointment of this type can be.
Fixed-length appointments
If every appointment of this type takes the same amount of time, use a fixed duration. For example, a standard "AC Tune-Up" that always takes 1 hour.
Variable-length appointments
If appointment length depends on the job, set a duration range with a minimum and maximum — for example, a "Roof Inspection" might take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the roof.
- Minimum duration — The shortest possible appointment. Default is 30 minutes.
- Maximum duration — The longest possible appointment. Default is 2 hours.
When you set a range, you can use Duration Rules to automatically calculate the actual duration based on answers to booking questions. For example: "If roof size is over 3,000 sqft, add 60 minutes to the base duration."
Buffer Time
Buffer time is padding around each appointment. It gives your team time to travel, clean up, prepare materials, or simply take a break — so one job never crashes straight into the next.
How it works:
- During booking, Driive uses the buffer to keep space between this appointment and the events around it.
- Buffers apply to the user's full schedule — both Driive appointments and synced external events.
Recommended settings by service type:
| Service type | Suggested buffer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| In-office consultations | 0-15 minutes | Minimal travel, just prep time |
| Nearby residential visits | 15-30 minutes | Short drive between jobs |
| Spread-out service area | 30-60 minutes | Longer travel between locations |
| Complex jobs with teardown | 45-60 minutes | Cleanup and equipment packing |
Tip: It's better to start with a slightly longer buffer and shorten it later. Over-scheduling with tight buffers leads to late arrivals, which frustrate customers.
Booking Window
The Booking Window settings control when customers can schedule appointments.
Minimum Lead Time
The minimum lead time controls how far in advance a customer must book. It prevents last-minute bookings that your team can't prepare for.
- Default: 24 hours — Customers must book at least 24 hours ahead.
- Shorter lead times — Better for urgent services where customers need help fast.
- 48 or 72 hours — Gives your team more prep time.
| Business type | Suggested minimum lead time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency plumber | As short as possible | Customers need immediate help |
| HVAC maintenance | 24 hours | Standard preparation time |
| Landscape design consultation | 48-72 hours | Needs site research and planning |
Maximum Advance Booking
The maximum advance booking controls how far out customers can book. It prevents bookings so far in the future that your schedule or pricing might change.
- Default: 90 days — Customers can book up to 90 days ahead.
- Setting it shorter (30 days) — Good if your schedule changes frequently.
- Setting it longer (180 days) — Useful for seasonal services that customers plan well ahead.
Finding the right balance
A shorter window keeps your calendar predictable. A longer window captures customers who plan ahead. Consider your industry:
- Seasonal businesses (landscaping, snow removal) — Longer windows let customers lock in dates early.
- On-demand services (emergency repair) — Shorter windows keep the schedule manageable.
- Recurring maintenance (HVAC tune-ups) — Moderate windows (60-90 days) work well.
Arrival Window
The Scheduling tab also holds this type's promise precision — whether customers book an exact time or an arrival window (a range like 8–10 AM). Exact time is the default and behaves as scheduling always has. Switch to Arrival window and customers pick a window instead of a slot, with the technician assigned later on the Dispatch board.
This is a big enough topic to have its own article — see Arrival Windows for how windows are defined, how customers see them, and how the jobs get dispatched.
How these settings work together
Here's an example of how the settings combine for an appointment type called "Roof Inspection":
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum duration | 1 hour |
| Maximum duration | 2 hours |
| Buffer time | 30 minutes |
| Minimum lead time | 24 hours |
| Maximum advance booking | 90 days |
With these settings:
- A customer can book a Roof Inspection between 1 day and 90 days from now.
- The appointment will last between 1 and 2 hours (exact duration may be set by duration rules).
- Driive keeps 30 minutes of breathing room around the inspection when offering other slots.
Next steps
- Arrival Windows — Book this type by arrival window instead of an exact time.
- Duration Rules — Set up variable durations that adjust automatically based on booking question answers.
- Team Eligibility — Control which users can be scheduled for this type.
- Creating an Appointment Type — Go back to the creation wizard if you're setting up a new type.