If you offer hourly or same-day rentals (such as 2-hour, 4-hour, or half-day bookings), you may need time between reservations to prepare equipment. This buffer can be used for cleaning, refueling, inspections, or delivery.
BookingCentral gives you two ways to automatically build time between bookings so your schedule stays realistic and manageable.
Option 1: Use start times to create gaps between bookings
When setting up your Price List for your rentals, you can set specific start times that will automatically build in time between rentals.
To do this, go to Settings - Rentals - select rental to Edit.
- Select the Price List tab for the rental
- Select + Add Price to create your length
- For each length, you can choose your Start Times
- Select Other to create specific start times.
- Add the times, such as 9:00am and 1:30pm.
- Save your changes.
Pro Tip! When adding start times using the Other option, make sure you use the Enter key after you add each time, this will lock that time in place and allow you to add more times as needed.
Now when a customer books online, they can only choose a 9am or 1:30pm start time for a half day rental which will automatically give you a 30 minute buffer between bookings.
Option 2: Add a buffer to rental resources
When assigning your resources to your rentals, you have to option to include a Buffer time. Adding the time here will block that time on the calendar, so you won't get back to back bookings. The system will show the next available time for the rental based on the buffer time.
See more information here about buffers.
Why Buffers Matter
Adding time between bookings helps rental operators:
Avoid back-to-back scheduling issues
Give staff time to prepare equipment
Prevent delays for customers
Keep operations running smoothly
Reduce stress during busy days
Setting up buffers ensures your calendar reflects real-world turnaround time and keeps your team running on schedule.