Fence Job Lifecycle

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Overview

This workflow walks through a typical fence job in Dirt Face, from the first lead to getting paid. Use it as a map; each step links to deeper reference guides.

Opportunity → Estimate → Job → Schedule → Work order → Invoice → Payment

Most fence contractors follow this path. You can skip steps (e.g. go straight to an estimate without an RFQ) when the job does not need formal lead tracking.

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1. Capture the lead (Opportunities / RFQs)

Where in the app: Sidebar → Opportunities
Open: Opportunities

1. Create an opportunity when a lead calls, submits your contact form, or walks in
2. Record customer info, site address, and fence type if known
3. Attach photos or notes from the site visit

When you are ready to price the job, convert the opportunity to an estimate so customer and site details carry over.

Tip: Integrations like the Lead Generator and Contact Form can create opportunities automatically.

Reference: Create an opportunity · Convert to estimate

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2. Build and send the estimate

Where in the app: Sidebar → Estimates
Open: Estimates

1. Open New Estimate and select the customer (or start from a converted opportunity)
2. Choose a fence template from My Fences or draw the layout in the designer tool
3. Review materials, labor, tax, and deposit on Proposal Totals
4. Generate the PDF and send to the customer by email or customer portal

Tip: Default margins, labor rates, and cover letter text live under Business Settings → Default Values. Set these once so every quote is consistent.

Reference: Create an estimate · Send to customer · Your first estimate

Related workflow: Catalog to first quote · Designer tool

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3. Win the job

When the customer accepts:

1. Note approval in the estimate (status / signature if you use contract signatures)
2. Collect deposit if your terms require it — FortisPay or manual payment recording
3. Convert the estimate to a job so materials and scope move into production

Reference: Convert to job · Job workflow

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4. Plan and schedule field work

Where in the app: Sidebar → Jobs and Schedule
Open: Jobs · Schedule

1. Open the job — confirm line items, site access notes, and checklist items
2. Schedule the job on the Schedule calendar and assign crews
3. Crews execute from the Crew Portal or crew job PDF

Warning: Crew members only see their assigned work in the Crew Portal — assign on the schedule before they arrive on site.

Reference: Assign crews · Schedule jobs · Calendar overview

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5. Execute and track costing

During and after install:

1. Crews complete work orders from the field (schedule / job detail)
2. Update job costing if material usage or labor differed from the estimate
3. Attach shop drawings or as-built notes if your process requires them

Reference: Job costing · Shop drawings workflow

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6. Invoice and get paid

Where in the app: Sidebar → Sales → Invoices
Open: Invoices

1. From the job or estimate, create an invoice (progress, final, or deposit balance)
2. Apply sales tax codes imported from QuickBooks if connected
3. Email the invoice or share a pay link when FortisPay is enabled
4. Record payments and sync to QuickBooks if integrated

Reference: Sales workflow · Invoices overview · Create and send invoices · Payments

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Quick reference by sidebar module

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Need help on a specific screen?

Use the Help icon in the app header — it opens a panel with guides for the page you are on and links to open the full Knowledge Base in a new tab.