Give yourself time to order parts and materials
When a customer accepts a quote they pick a date straight away. A lead time holds back the first date they can pick, so you have time to order parts or materials first.
In a hurry? Quick steps
- Settings > Booking settings > Same-day, travel, and deposits > Typical lead time
- Pick how many working days you usually need to get parts or materials in, then save
- On a quote, set a lead time on any item that takes longer or is in stock
- In Services, turn on Nothing to order for call-outs and jobs you carry stock for
- It applies to quotes you send from then on
What it does
A customer who accepts your quote picks a date for the job there and then. If you order parts or materials once a quote is accepted, that date can come round before they arrive.
Set a lead time and the first date they can pick moves back by that many working days, counted from the day they accept. Weekends do not count; bank holidays do.
Your typical lead time in Booking settings covers most quotes. When one item takes longer, or is on the van, set a lead time on that item as you build the quote on the web: the longest item lead time then sets the date, and items you leave unset count as in stock.
The customer sees why: the quote email, the quote page and the date step all say what needs ordering and give the earliest date.
What it does not touch
- Your booking page. Emergency call-outs and same-day bookings work as before.
- Quotes for any service with Nothing to order turned on. Use it for call-outs and anything you carry on the van.
- Quotes already sent. Each quote keeps the lead time it was sent with, so changing the setting never moves a date you have already given a customer.
- Jobs you book in yourself from a quote with Convert to booking.
Who can use it
Locksmiths, security engineers, flooring fitters, gas engineers, mobile mechanics, electricians, plumbers and tilers, on every plan. You still get the usual email the moment a quote is accepted, with the date the customer picked, and you can move the job if things take longer to arrive.
Common questions
Does a lead time affect emergency call-outs?
No. It only applies when a customer accepts a quote. Call-outs booked through your booking page are not affected, and a quote for a service with Nothing to order turned on has no lead time.
Is the lead time counted from when I send the quote?
No, from the day the customer accepts, because that is when you place the order. A customer who accepts a week after you sent the quote gets dates from their acceptance day onwards.
What if the order is late?
Move the job to the new date. With Notify customer on, they are emailed the new date, as with any other change.
Related guides
Built for locksmiths
TradeBooked handles bookings, quotes, invoices and certificates for UK tradespeople. No commission. 10-day free trial, no card needed.
Still stuck? Email support@tradebooked.co.uk.