Best Installation Scheduling Software in 2026
Installation scheduling software coordinates your install crews, optimizes routes, confirms appointments with customers, and tracks completion - turning the most unpredictable part of fabrication into a managed process. A well-scheduled install crew completes 3-4 jobs per day. A poorly scheduled one finishes 1-2 and wastes hours driving between sites.
TL;DR
- SlabWise ties installation scheduling directly to fabrication status with customer auto-notifications
- Moraware provides the deepest scheduling board for template, fab, and install crews combined
- ServiceTitan offers premium scheduling with route optimization at a higher price point
- Poor scheduling costs the average shop 1-2 lost installs per crew per week ($800-$3,000 in revenue)
- Route optimization alone saves 45-90 minutes per crew per day in drive time
- Customer no-shows drop 60-80% with automated reminder sequences
- Budget $50-$400/mo depending on crew size and feature needs
Evaluation Criteria
| Factor | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling efficiency | 30% | Multi-crew calendars, drag-and-drop, conflict detection |
| Route optimization | 20% | Drive time reduction, geographic clustering |
| Customer communication | 20% | Reminders, confirmations, rescheduling |
| Fabrication integration | 20% | Connection to production status and job tracking |
| Pricing | 10% | Cost relative to installs gained |
1. SlabWise - Best for Fabrication-Connected Scheduling
SlabWise connects installation scheduling directly to fabrication status. Install dates only open up when fabrication is confirmed complete, preventing premature scheduling that leads to delays and frustrated customers.
Pricing: $199/mo (Standard) | $349/mo (Enterprise) Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Production-Linked Scheduling: Install appointments automatically become available only after fabrication passes QC. No more scheduling installs before pieces are ready.
- Customer Auto-Notify: When an install date is confirmed, the customer receives an automatic email and SMS with date, time window, and installer details.
- Crew Calendars: Manage multiple install crews with capacity limits and skill assignments.
- Portal Integration: Customers see their install date and can request changes through the customer portal.
Pros
- Eliminates scheduling installs before countertops are ready
- Customer portal reduces install-related calls
- Automatic notifications reduce no-shows
- Integrated with full job lifecycle
Cons
- Part of the full SlabWise platform
- Route optimization limited in Standard tier
- Newer platform, smaller user community
Best for: Shops where premature install scheduling causes delays and customer complaints.
2. Moraware - Best for Multi-Department Scheduling
Moraware's scheduling board is the most established in stone fabrication. It manages template, fabrication, and installation calendars in one view, giving office managers visibility across all departments.
Pricing: $200-$400/mo Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- Visual Schedule Board: Drag-and-drop calendar showing all departments side by side.
- Capacity Management: Set daily limits per crew and get warnings when overbooking.
- Color-Coded Views: Different colors for template, fab, and install make scanning easy.
- Resource Assignment: Assign specific crews and vehicles to each install.
Pros
- Most proven scheduling tool in stone fabrication
- Multi-department visibility in one calendar
- 2,600+ fabricators use it daily
- Strong capacity management
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- Limited route optimization
- Mobile scheduling behind newer tools
- Customer notifications require manual setup
Best for: Shops managing template, fab, and install crews from one scheduling board.
3. ServiceTitan - Best for Route Optimization
ServiceTitan is a premium field service platform with advanced dispatching and route optimization. It's built for home service companies and works well for fabrication shops with multiple install crews covering a wide service area.
Pricing: Custom pricing (typically $250-$500+/mo) Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- GPS Dispatch: Real-time crew tracking with optimized routing between jobs.
- Route Optimization: AI calculates the fastest route to minimize drive time across all daily installs.
- Customer Experience: Automated "on my way" messages with technician photos and ETA.
- Call Tracking: Record customer calls and tie them to specific jobs.
Pros
- Best-in-category route optimization
- Professional customer communication (with technician photos)
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Strong reporting and analytics
Cons
- High price point for a fabrication shop's needs
- Not stone-specific (designed for HVAC, plumbing, etc.)
- Complex setup and onboarding
- Long-term contracts often required
Best for: Shops with 3+ install crews covering a metro area of 50+ miles.
4. Jobber - Best for Small Crew Scheduling
Jobber handles scheduling, dispatching, and customer communication well for small fabrication shops running 1-2 install crews. It's simpler and cheaper than ServiceTitan.
Pricing: $49-$249/mo Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Drag-and-Drop Calendar: Schedule and reschedule installs with simple drag-and-drop.
- Client Hub: Customers see their appointment details and can approve quotes online.
- Automated Reminders: Email and text reminders before scheduled installs.
- Route Sheets: Daily route plans with addresses and job details for each crew.
Pros
- Affordable and easy to learn
- Good customer communication features
- Route sheets help crews plan their day
- 14-day free trial
Cons
- No fabrication-specific features
- Route optimization is basic compared to ServiceTitan
- Limited to scheduling (no production tracking)
- Grows less effective past 3-4 crews
Best for: Small shops (1-2 crews) that need affordable scheduling with customer reminders.
5. Housecall Pro - Best for Customer Booking
Housecall Pro lets customers book installation appointments online through a self-service portal. It also handles estimates, invoicing, and payment - making it a mini operating system for installation.
Pricing: $65-$199/mo Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Online Booking: Customers select available install windows from your calendar.
- Automated Sequences: Reminders, follow-ups, and review requests happen automatically.
- GPS Tracking: Track crew locations in real-time.
- Payment Processing: Collect payments at the job site via mobile app.
Pros
- Customer self-booking reduces scheduling calls
- Good automation for reminders and follow-ups
- Mobile payment collection
- Clean, modern interface
Cons
- Not stone fabrication specific
- No connection to production status
- Online booking can conflict with production timelines
- Limited multi-department scheduling
Best for: Shops that want customers to self-schedule installation appointments.
6. Google Calendar + Sheets - Best Free Option
Many small fabrication shops manage installs with shared Google Calendars and a Google Sheet for job details. It costs nothing and works at low volume.
Pricing: Free Free Trial: N/A
Key Features
- Shared Calendars: One calendar per crew, shared with the office and field.
- Event Details: Add job address, customer contact, and notes to calendar events.
- Google Sheets: Track install completion, materials used, and issues.
- Mobile Access: All Google tools work on any phone.
Pros
- Completely free
- Everyone already uses Google tools
- Works on any device
- Simple and immediate
Cons
- No customer notifications
- No route optimization
- No connection to fabrication status
- Gets chaotic past 3-4 installs per day
- No reporting or analytics
Best for: Startup shops doing fewer than 10 installs per week with one crew.
7. FieldPulse - Best for Growing Shops
FieldPulse is designed for growing field service companies that need more than basic scheduling but aren't ready for the cost and complexity of ServiceTitan.
Pricing: $99-$199/mo Free Trial: Free demo + trial
Key Features
- Multi-Crew Scheduling: Manage multiple crews with skill-based assignments.
- Customer Portal: Customers check appointment status and approve work online.
- Invoicing: Create and send invoices from the field.
- Time Tracking: Track crew hours per job for labor cost analysis.
Pros
- Good balance of features and affordability
- Customer portal included
- Time tracking helps improve estimates
- Scales from 2-10+ crews
Cons
- Not stone-specific
- Route optimization is limited
- Smaller user community than ServiceTitan or Jobber
- Some features still maturing
Best for: Shops growing from 2 to 5+ install crews that need a scalable solution.
8. Calendly - Best for Appointment Booking Only
Calendly isn't a field service tool, but some fabrication shops use it to let customers book template and install appointments from available time slots. It handles the booking - nothing else.
Pricing: Free-$20/user/mo Free Trial: Free plan available
Key Features
- Availability Sharing: Share a link where customers pick from your open time slots.
- Buffer Times: Build in drive time between appointments automatically.
- Reminders: Automated email reminders before appointments.
- Calendar Sync: Syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook, and other calendars.
Pros
- Dead simple to use
- Free plan covers basic needs
- Reduces back-and-forth scheduling calls
- Works alongside any other system
Cons
- Booking only - no dispatch, routing, or job management
- No connection to production status
- Limited to one appointment type per link
- Not designed for field service
Best for: Adding simple appointment booking to an existing workflow.
Comparison Table
| Software | Price | Route Optimization | Customer Portal | Fab Integration | Crew Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SlabWise | $199/mo | Basic/Enterprise | Yes | Full | Unlimited |
| Moraware | $200/mo | No | Limited | Full | Unlimited |
| ServiceTitan | $250+/mo | Advanced | Yes | No | Unlimited |
| Jobber | $49/mo | Basic | Yes | No | Varies by plan |
| Housecall Pro | $65/mo | Basic | Yes | No | Varies |
| Google Calendar | Free | No | No | No | Unlimited |
| FieldPulse | $99/mo | Limited | Yes | No | Varies |
| Calendly | Free-$20/user | No | Booking only | No | Varies |
Scheduling Best Practices for Installers
Cluster Jobs Geographically
Schedule installs in the same area on the same day. Driving 45 minutes between jobs wastes crew time and fuel. Route optimization software does this automatically; without it, plot addresses on a map manually.
Build in Buffer Time
Allow 30-45 minutes between installs for drive time, unexpected issues, and cleanup. Back-to-back scheduling guarantees that a late first job delays everything after it.
Confirm 48 Hours and 2 Hours Before
Two confirmation messages reduce no-shows by 60-80%. Send the first 48 hours before (giving customers time to reschedule) and a reminder 2 hours before (confirming the crew is coming).
Never Schedule Before Fabrication Is Complete
This sounds obvious but happens constantly. A customer pressures for an install date, you book it optimistically, and fabrication runs late. Use software that blocks scheduling until production confirms readiness.
Track Installs Per Crew Per Day
Measure and optimize. Most residential countertop installs take 2-4 hours. A well-scheduled crew should complete 2-3 installs per day consistently.
FAQ
How many installs should a crew complete per day?
For residential countertops, 2-3 installs per day is typical. Kitchen countertops take 2-4 hours depending on complexity. Bathroom vanities take 1-2 hours. Simple bar tops can be under 1 hour.
How far in advance should I schedule installations?
Most shops schedule installations 5-10 business days out. This gives enough time for fabrication completion while keeping the customer's wait reasonable.
How do I reduce installation no-shows?
Automated reminder sequences (48 hours + 2 hours before) reduce no-shows by 60-80%. Requiring a deposit before scheduling the install also reduces cancellations.
Should installers carry mobile devices?
Yes. Mobile access to job details, customer contacts, navigation, and status updates is essential. Most scheduling platforms have mobile apps.
How do I handle same-day install changes?
Build buffer time into your schedule. If a morning job cancels, try to pull a nearby afternoon job forward. Scheduling software with real-time crew tracking makes this easier.
What's the cost of a missed installation appointment?
A missed install costs $200-$500 in wasted crew time plus truck costs. Multiply by 2-3 missed appointments per month and you're losing $400-$1,500/month.
How do I schedule multi-day installations?
For large projects requiring 2+ days (commercial, outdoor kitchens), block consecutive days on the calendar and assign the same crew. Clearly communicate the multi-day timeline to the customer.
Should I offer customers a choice of install dates?
Yes. Offering 2-3 available dates increases satisfaction and reduces rescheduling. Online booking tools automate this process.
How do I optimize routes for multiple crews?
Use software with route optimization (ServiceTitan, Jobber). Without software, manually group jobs by zip code and assign each area to a specific crew.
Can scheduling software reduce labor costs?
Yes. Better scheduling means fewer wasted trips, less overtime, and more installs per day. Shops report 15-25% improvement in crew productivity after implementing scheduling tools.
How do I coordinate installs with plumbers and electricians?
For new construction, use a shared calendar or portal (Buildertrend) where all trades can see each other's schedules. For remodels, confirm that plumbing and electrical disconnects are done before scheduling your install.
What data should I track on each installation?
Track: start and end time, any issues encountered, photos of completed work, customer sign-off, and materials/supplies used. This data improves future scheduling estimates.
Schedule Smarter, Install More
SlabWise connects your installation scheduling directly to fabrication status, so you never schedule an install before countertops are ready. Automatic customer notifications reduce no-shows and status calls. Try it free for 14 days.
Start Your Free SlabWise Trial →
Sources
- Stone World Magazine - Installation Efficiency Report 2025
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Installation Best Practices Guide
- ServiceTitan - Route Optimization Case Studies
- Jobber - Field Service Scheduling Statistics 2025
- Fabricators Alliance - Install Crew Productivity Benchmark
- Harvard Business Review - Appointment Scheduling and No-Show Reduction
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Construction Scheduling Data