Service duration

Service duration is how long an appointment occupies a staff member. It sets how many slots the appointment consumes and, together with buffers, determines when the next client can be offered a time.

Also called: appointment length, chair time

Durations should describe the time in the chair rather than a target. A service booked at 30 minutes that consistently takes 45 will make every later appointment late.

Where a service varies by client, the safer choice is the longer duration. Finishing early gives the shop time back; running over takes it from the next client.

In Booked, duration is set per service and can differ per staff member, so a senior stylist's timings do not have to match an apprentice's.