How to Set Up Service Calendars for Auto Detailing in Sparkforge

Service Calendars let an auto detailing shop accept bookings online, route each appointment to the right detailer, and lock the bay and equipment needed for the job. The result: no double-booked polishers, no two cars in one bay, no missed appointments.

This walkthrough sets up a service calendar for interior detail, paint correction, and ceramic coating services using Sparkforge.

What a Service Calendar does

A Service Calendar holds one bookable service. You attach the staff who can perform it, the duration, the bay, the equipment, and the booking page styling. When a customer picks a time, the system reserves everything in one shot.

Group calendars together (for example, Interior & Exterior, Paint Correction & Coatings) and expose them through a Service Menu so customers can pick one service or stack several.

Add staff and availability

You cannot save a service calendar without at least one assigned staff member. Add detailers first.

1. From the subaccount dashboard, go to Settings > My Staff > Add User.
2. Enter name, email, and extension. Set permissions to limit access if needed.
3. Define availability per detailer (e.g., Mark: Mon/Wed/Fri 9am-5pm; Henry: Tue-Sat 11am-7pm).
4. Click Save.

Create groups for your services

Groups are categories. Each group has its own booking link and holds related services.

1. Open Calendars > Calendar Settings (top right).
2. Go to Preferences > Account Preference and toggle Service Menu on.
3. In the Calendars tab, click + New Group in the left sidebar.
4. Enter a Group Name, Description, and URL slug. Choose Classic or Neo template, then Create.

Create a Service Calendar

1. Select the group, click Create Calendar, then Service Booking.
2. Fill in Service Name, Assigned Staff, Custom URL, Duration, and Availability.
3. Open Advanced Settings for Service Details, Forms & Payment, Notifications, Customizations, and Rooms & Equipment.

Service Details

Upload a Service Logo. Use clear names (Interior Detail, Paint Correction, Ceramic Coating) and a description that lists what is included. Assign the service to the right group and set a Custom URL like /interior-detail-booking.

Appointment and staff setup

Set the Appointment Invite Title (use {{contact.name}} for personalization). Under Team Members, assign every detailer qualified to perform this service — only their slots will show. Set a Meeting Location (the shop, a specific bay, or a custom video link) and pick a Meeting Color so staff can spot the appointment type at a glance.

Assign rooms

In the Rooms tab, attach a physical bay (Detail Bay 1, Wash Bay, Coating Bay). When a customer books the service, the bay is reserved and cannot be double-booked.

Assign equipment

In the Equipment tab, attach tools like polishers, extractors, or steamers and set the available quantity. The system will not let bookings exceed the count you have on hand.

Edit an existing Service Calendar

Go to Meetings > Service Calendars (v1). Find the calendar and click the pencil icon under Actions to update staff, hours, notifications, or resources without recreating it.

Build a Service Menu

The Service Menu shows multiple services or groups on one booking page so customers can pick a la carte.

1. Go to Meetings > Service Calendars (v1) > Service Menu.
2. Click + Create Service Menu.
3. Enter the Menu name, Description, and URL slug. Pick a Form and toggle Consent if needed.
4. Under Additional Options, enable Add Guests, Multiple Service Selection, and Staff Selection as needed.
5. Click Select Services and pick the groups and calendars to include.
6. Open Arrange your services and drag to reorder. Put your best-sellers (Interior Detail, Paint Correction) on top.

Share the Service Menu link with customers — they can book one service, combine an interior detail with an exterior wash, or pick their preferred detailer.