Industries
Whatever you call the work, it has stages.
A repair order, a remodel, a brand project, a claim, a tax return: each is a job that moves through steps while a customer waits to hear. There are 13 starting templates. Here is what each kind of business begins with.
Auto Repair
Repair orders from drop-off to pickup.
A car in the shop is a customer without a car. They want to know what you found, what it costs and when they can pick it up — and they’d rather not call three times to find out.
What customers ask
- What did you find?
- How much extra is it?
- When can I pick it up?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Repair order
- Change order
- Additional Repair
- Approval request
- Repair Approval
Each repair order can name its vehicle, like “2019 Ford F-150”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Repair order stages
7 stages
Received
“We’ve checked in your vehicle and it’s in the queue for diagnosis.”
Diagnosing
“Our technician has started diagnosing the issue. We’ll share what we find shortly.”
Waiting for Approval
“Diagnosis is complete. Please review the recommended work so we can get started.”
Parts Ordered
“The parts for your repair are on order. We’ll let you know as soon as they arrive.”
Repairing
“Parts are in and the repair is under way.”
Testing
“The repair is finished and we’re road-testing to confirm everything is right.”
Ready for Pickup
“Your vehicle is ready. Come by any time during business hours.”
Marcus · Service advisor
To Sarah · 2019 Ford F-150 · Transmission repair
We removed the transmission today. During inspection we found that the torque converter also needs to be replaced.
The replacement part can be here tomorrow morning. If the additional repair is approved today, we still expect your truck to be ready Friday afternoon.
Home Services
Remodels, roofs, HVAC, plumbing and landscapes.
Work at someone’s home runs for days or weeks, usually while they’re at their own job. A page they can check from anywhere replaces the end-of-day phone call — and keeps change orders from getting lost in a text thread.
What customers ask
- Did the inspection pass?
- Who’s at my house today?
- Is the finish date still the finish date?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Project
- Customer
- Client
Each project can name its site address, like “418 Alder Street”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Remodel project stages
7 stages
Planning
“We’re finalizing the plan, selections and permits for your project.”
Demolition
“Demolition has started. We’re protecting the rest of your home while we work.”
Rough-In
“Framing, plumbing and electrical rough-in are under way.”
Inspection
“Rough-in is complete and we’ve requested the inspection.”
Finishes
“We’ve moved on to finishes — this is where it starts to look like the plan.”
Punch List
“We’re working through the last details on the punch list.”
Complete
“Your project is complete. Thank you for trusting us with your home.”
Dana · Project manager
To Emily · 418 Alder Street · Kitchen remodel
Good news: rough-in passed inspection this morning, so we’re moving on to finishes. Cabinets go in Thursday.
One thing needs your decision. The backsplash tile you picked is backordered about three weeks. We found a close match that’s in stock and costs $260 less.
Also in this group
- Roofing
- Scheduled
- Materials Delivered
- Tear-Off
- Dry-In
- Installation
- Inspection
- Complete
- HVAC
- Scheduled
- Diagnosis
- Parts Ordered
- Installation
- Testing
- Complete
- Plumbing
- Scheduled
- Assessment
- Parts Ordered
- Repair
- Testing
- Complete
- Landscaping
- Design
- Site Prep
- Hardscape
- Planting
- Irrigation & Lighting
- Walkthrough
Creative
Studios, agencies and photographers.
Creative projects stall on feedback and sign-off. Put the current stage, the latest previews and the one thing you need from the client on a single page, and reviews stop living in ten different email threads.
What customers ask
- Where are we in the process?
- What do you need from me?
- When will I see something?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Project
- Customer
- Client
- Change order
- Scope Change
- Approval request
- Sign-Off
Each project can name its brand, like “Harbor & Pine Coffee”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Creative project stages
6 stages
Discovery
“We’ve kicked off discovery and are gathering everything we need.”
Design
“Design is under way. First concepts are coming soon.”
Development
“Designs are approved and we’ve started the build.”
Review
“A preview is ready for your review.”
Revisions
“Thanks for the feedback — we’re working through revisions.”
Launch
“We’re live. Congratulations on the launch!”
Jordan · Producer
To Daniel · Harbor & Vine · Brand website redesign
The homepage and two inner pages are designed, including the mobile versions. We went with the warmer palette from the mood board.
Previews are below. Once you sign off on the direction, development starts — the build takes about two weeks from there.
Also in this group
- Photography
- Scheduled
- Shoot Complete
- Editing
- Proofs Ready
- Revision
- Final Delivery
Restoration
Emergency response through final walkthrough.
After water or fire damage, homeowners are stressed and often not living at the property. Daily readings, documentation photos and supplements they can approve from their phone keep them — and their adjuster — in the picture.
What customers ask
- Is it dry yet?
- What do I send my adjuster?
- When can we move back in?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Claim
- Change order
- Supplement
Each claim can name its property, like “1207 Marsh Creek Rd”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Restoration claim stages
7 stages
Emergency Response
“Our crew is on site and has stopped the source of the damage.”
Water Removal
“We’re extracting standing water and removing unsalvageable materials.”
Drying
“Drying equipment is running. We’ll take moisture readings daily.”
Inspection
“Moisture readings are at target and we’ve completed our inspection.”
Repairs
“Repairs have started — drywall, flooring and paint.”
Final Walkthrough
“Repairs are complete. Let’s walk through everything together.”
Complete
“Your property is restored. All documentation is in your files.”
Tom · Lead technician
To Priya · 48 Maple Court · Water damage restoration
Day 4 moisture readings are at the dry standard — the walls are at 12%, down from 31% on day one. We’re removing the drying equipment today.
Under the hallway closet we found about 20 square feet of damaged subfloor that wasn’t on the original estimate. We’ve sent a supplement for your approval.
Professional Services
Tax, accounting, legal, consulting and property management.
Clients can’t see the work happening, so silence feels like nothing is being done. A simple status page — what’s received, what’s in review, what you’re waiting on — answers the question before it becomes an email.
What customers ask
- Did you get my documents?
- Is anything waiting on me?
- When will it be filed?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Matter
- Customer
- Client
- Change order
- Scope Change
- Approval request
- Client Approval
Each matter can name its reference, like “2025 tax return”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Client matter stages
7 stages
Intake
“Your matter is open and we’ve started the intake.”
Documents Requested
“We’ve sent a list of the documents we need from you.”
In Review
“We have what we need and are reviewing everything.”
Drafting
“We’re preparing your documents.”
Client Review
“A draft is ready for your review.”
Filed
“Everything has been filed. We’ll confirm when it’s accepted.”
Complete
“Your matter is complete. Final copies are in your files.”
Renee · Senior accountant
To Olivia · 2025 tax return · Small business tax filing
Your books are reconciled through December and we’ve started drafting the return.
We noticed you began selling in two more states this year. Registering for sales tax there isn’t part of our current engagement, so we’ve sent it as a scope change for you to approve. It’s a flat $350 and adds two days.
Also in this group
- Property Management
- Reported
- Assessed
- Scheduled
- In Progress
- Verified
- Closed
Repair
Devices, boats, RVs, furniture and more.
Someone handed you something they rely on. Tell them what you found, show them the photo, let them approve the quote from their phone, and let them know the moment it’s ready.
What customers ask
- Can it be fixed?
- What will it cost?
- Is it ready?
The words it starts with
- Job
- Repair
- Change order
- Additional Repair
- Approval request
- Repair Approval
Each repair can name its item, like “MacBook Pro 14″”.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Repair ticket stages
6 stages
Received
“We’ve checked in your item.”
Diagnosing
“We’re diagnosing the problem now.”
Waiting for Approval
“We’ve found the issue. Please review the quote so we can proceed.”
Repairing
“The repair is under way.”
Testing
“Repair complete — we’re testing to make sure it holds.”
Ready
“Your item is ready.”
Sam · Bench technician
To Chris · MacBook Pro 14″ · Won’t power on
We opened up your laptop and found liquid damage near the charging port, with some corrosion on the board. The good news: your data looks fine.
We can clean the board and replace the charging port for $185. Once you approve, it takes about two days.
Something else
A simple starting point you can shape.
If you do work for customers over days or weeks, the shape is the same: a job, a few stages, updates along the way. Start from four plain stages and rename, reorder or add your own — along with what you call a job, a customer and an approval.
What customers ask
- Has it started?
- How far along is it?
- When will it be done?
The words it starts with
Plain ones: job, customer, change order, approval request. Rename any of them.
Every stage and word can be changed later.
Standard job stages
4 stages
Scheduled
“You’re on our schedule.”
In Progress
“We’ve started work.”
Review
“We’re doing a final check.”
Complete
“All done. Thank you!”
Alex · Owner
To Jamie · Custom order
We’ve started work on your order and everything is on schedule.
We’ll post photos here as it comes together, and you’ll get a note as soon as it’s ready.
Don’t see your trade? It still fits.
If customers wait while you work, this is for you. Start from the closest template or from four plain stages, and rename the rest.
Free for 3 active jobs. Every new account gets 14 days of Business to try everything. No card needed to start.