Free OpenClaw Skill for Fence Installation Businesses: Estimator and Permit Agent (Download)

What this skill does for your fence installation businesses

• Drafts a material-keyed quote (cedar privacy, pressure-treated, vinyl, aluminum, chain-link) with linear-foot pricing pulled from your published rate card.
• Schedules the 811 utility locate call 3 business days before every dig and tracks the locate ticket to expiration.
• Routes HOA approval packets to the homeowner with the spec sheet, the elevation drawing, and the materials sample list they need to submit.
• Compiles the post-install warranty follow-up cadence at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years to catch settling, panel warp, and post heave before the customer escalates.
• Logs every quote's win-loss reason to a memory key so you can see which competitor and which material is winning the deals you lose.

What's inside this OpenClaw skill

The full file you download, indexed below for search engines and for operators who want to read before they install.

---
name: fence-estimator-and-permit-agent
description: Material-keyed quoting, 811 utility locate scheduling, HOA approval routing, and warranty follow-up for fence installation contractors. Integrates with FencePros, JobNimbus, JobTread.
version: 1.0.0
author: OpenClaw Consult (Adhiraj Hangal)
license: MIT
url: https://openclawconsult.com/skills/fence-installation
---

# OpenClaw Skill: Fence Installation Estimator and Permit Agent

## Overview

This skill turns the OpenClaw agent into the estimator-support and permit
coordinator for a fence installation contractor. It owns material-keyed
quoting, 811 utility locate scheduling, HOA packet drafting, and the
post-install warranty cadence.

It is designed for residential and light-commercial fence contractors running
1 to 5 crews, with 400 to 3,000 active customer records, on FencePros,
JobNimbus, or JobTread. AAFA member contractors and unaffiliated operators
both work.

## What this skill does

1. Drafts material-keyed quotes from your published rate card
2. Schedules 811 utility locate calls and tracks ticket expiration
3. Routes HOA approval packets to the homeowner with the right spec sheet
4. Compiles the 30-day, 1-year, 3-year warranty follow-up cadence
5. Logs win-loss reasons to memory so the operator sees which competitor and
   which material is winning the lost deals
6. Routes quotes over $15,000, custom fabrication, and HOA escalations to a
   human by default

## Triggers

```yaml
triggers:
  - type: heartbeat
    schedule: "0 8 * * *"           # Daily 8am
    action: triage_overnight_leads

  - type: heartbeat
    schedule: "0 7 * * 1,2,3,4,5"   # Weekdays 7am
    action: check_811_locate_expirations

  - type: heartbeat
    schedule: "0 9 * * 1"           # Mondays 9am
    action: compile_warranty_followup_queue

  - type: on_event
    event: crm.lead_created
    action: draft_initial_response

  - type: on_event
    event: crm.contract_signed
    action: schedule_811_locate_and_hoa_packet

  - type: on_event
    event: crm.job_completed
    action: enter_warranty_followup_cadence
```

## Workflow: material-keyed quoting

When a new lead is logged or the estimator returns from a site walk, the
agent:

1. Reads the linear footage, fence height, gate count, and material from the
   site notes
2. Looks up the material in the rate card (cedar, pressure-treated, redwood,
   vinyl, aluminum ornamental, aluminum pool-code, chain-link galvanized,
   chain-link vinyl-coated)
3. Drafts a quote per linear foot plus per-gate price plus permit pass-through
4. Tags the quote with the expected install duration (1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4+)
5. Routes to the estimator for sign-off (or autonomous if it is under the
   approval-mode threshold)

For custom fabrication, mixed-material runs, and quotes over $15,000, the
skill routes to a human estimator. The rate-card auto-quote is for standard
residential work.

## Workflow: 811 utility locate scheduling

For every signed contract, the agent:

1. Calculates the dig date based on the schedule
2. Schedules the 811 call to fire 3 business days before the dig
3. Records the locate ticket number once the state portal returns it
4. Tracks the ticket through its valid window (typically 14-21 days, varies
   by state)
5. Will not allow crew dispatch to proceed if the locate has expired
6. Auto-recalls the locate if the dig slips past expiration

811 is a federal hotline; the state-level portal varies. The skill stores the
state-specific URL and the typical ticket window in the config.

## Workflow: HOA approval routing

The skill maintains a neighborhood-to-HOA lookup table. When a lead's address
falls in a tracked HOA:

1. The agent pulls the HOA's specific submission requirements
2. Drafts the packet: material spec sheet, elevation drawing (with the
   property line and fence position), materials sample list, neighbor-
   signature form if required
3. Sends the packet to the homeowner with submission instructions
4. Follows up on approval status every 7 days
5. Once approved, releases the job to scheduling

For HOAs not in the lookup table, the agent drafts a generic packet and
routes to the office to confirm the HOA's actual requirements.

## Workflow: warranty follow-up

After install, the agent enters the customer into a 3-touchpoint cadence:

- Day 30: settling, gate hardware, latch alignment. The highest-leverage call.
  Catches 90% of issues before they escalate.
- Year 1: panel inspection, post audit, fastener check. Photo request from
  the customer.
- Year 3: full warranty review. For wood fences, this is also the stain or
  paint refresh upsell opportunity.

For lifetime-warranty vinyl and aluminum, the year 1 and 3 touchpoints stay
as goodwill and referral asks rather than warranty work.

## Workflow: win-loss tracking

For every quote, the agent logs:

- Material chosen by the customer (or "none" if lost)
- Competitor mentioned by the customer
- Win-or-loss reason: price, timing, scope, second opinion, never responded
- The delta against your quote if the customer shared the competitor's number

After 30 days the skill produces a digest: which materials are converting,
which competitors are winning the price-comparison deals, what the average
price gap is on losses. This is the operator's daily standup signal.

## Memory keys

```yaml
memory:
  - key: fence.quote[{quote_id}]
    description: Quote state and material breakdown
    schema: { material: string, linear_feet: int, gate_count: int, total_price: number, status: string }

  - key: fence.811_locate[{job_id}]
    description: 811 utility locate ticket tracking
    schema: { ticket_number: string, state_portal: string, requested_date: date, expires_date: date, status: enum }

  - key: fence.hoa_approval[{job_id}]
    description: HOA submission status
    schema: { hoa_name: string, submitted_date: date, approval_status: enum, conditions_imposed: list }

  - key: fence.warranty_state[{job_id}]
    description: Warranty cadence stage
    values: [day_30_pending, day_30_complete, year_1_pending, year_1_complete, year_3_pending, year_3_complete, claim_open]

  - key: fence.win_loss_log[{quote_id}]
    description: Win-loss tracking for the digest
    schema: { outcome: enum, competitor_named: string, delta_dollars: number, reason: string }
```

## Message templates

```yaml
templates:
  quote_residential_wood_vinyl:
    channel: email
    subject: "Your fence quote from {company_name}"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      Thanks for having {estimator_first_name} out yesterday. Here is the
      quote for the work we discussed:

      Material: {material_description}
      Linear footage: {linear_feet} ft
      Height: {fence_height} ft
      Gates: {gate_count} ({gate_descriptions})

      Total: {total_price} before permit and tax

      Timing: install is a {expected_install_days}-day job once we have the
      811 utility locate and (if applicable) your HOA approval.

      Quote is good for 30 days. Want me to move to contract?

      {estimator_first_name}
      {company_name}

  hoa_packet_cover:
    channel: email
    subject: "Your HOA approval packet for the {company_name} fence install"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      Attached is the HOA approval packet for {hoa_name}. Includes:

      1. Material spec sheet for the {material_description}
      2. Elevation drawing showing fence position relative to property line
      3. Materials sample list (you can grab samples from our office or we
         can drop them by)
      4. {neighbor_signature_form_or_skip}

      Most HOAs in your neighborhood approve in {typical_hoa_turnaround}.
      We will hold the install schedule open and wait on the approval letter.

      Let me know if the HOA pushes back on any spec and we will adjust.

      {company_name}

  811_locate_confirmation:
    channel: sms
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name}, this is {company_name}. We called the 811
      utility locate today (ticket {ticket_number}). The utility companies
      will mark your yard with paint and flags over the next 3 business
      days. Please do not remove the marks before we install on
      {install_date}.

  warranty_day_30:
    channel: sms
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name}, it has been 30 days since we installed your
      fence. Want me to do a quick drive-by to make sure the gates are
      hanging right and the posts have settled clean? No charge, takes 10
      minutes. Open windows: {available_windows}

  warranty_year_3_stain_refresh:
    channel: email
    subject: "It's about time to refresh your cedar fence"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      Three years ago this month we installed your cedar privacy fence.
      Cedar usually wants a re-stain in the 3-to-5-year window to keep the
      color even and protect from the weather.

      We can run the stain refresh ourselves or recommend a painter we
      trust. Quote for the stain refresh on your {linear_feet}-foot run is
      {stain_refresh_estimate}.

      Open windows in the next 6 weeks: {available_windows}

      No urgency. Let me know either way.

      {company_name}
```

## Required integrations

| Integration            | Purpose                                       | Read | Write    |
|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|------|----------|
| FencePros              | Leads, jobs, quotes, materials                | yes  | optional |
| JobNimbus              | Leads, jobs, quotes                           | yes  | optional |
| JobTread               | Estimates, schedules                          | yes  | optional |
| 811 state portal       | Utility locate ticket scheduling              | yes  | yes      |
| Twilio (or similar)    | Outbound SMS                                  | no   | yes      |
| Email provider         | Outbound email                                | no   | yes      |
| HOA lookup table       | Neighborhood-to-HOA mapping (internal)        | yes  | yes      |
| OpenClaw Memory        | Cross-run state                               | yes  | yes      |
| OpenClaw Heartbeat     | Scheduled cadence triggers                    | yes  | yes      |

The 811 state portal integration is state-specific. Many states have a
web portal with an API or email submission. The skill ships a config block
for the state portal URL and the typical ticket-window length.

## Compliance notes

The skill will not dispatch a crew without a valid 811 locate ticket. This
is non-configurable. The crew dispatch logic checks for an unexpired ticket
and blocks the day's schedule if any job lacks one.

The skill drafts HOA submissions but the homeowner is the submitter of
record. The skill will not pose as the homeowner in HOA correspondence.

## Configuration

```yaml
config:
  company_name: "Your Fence Company"
  approval_mode: estimator_approves_all   # or "autonomous_after_2_weeks"
  state_811_portal:
    state: "TX"
    portal_url: "https://geo.lonestar811.com"
    typical_ticket_window_days: 14
  rate_card:
    cedar_privacy_6ft_per_ft: 48
    cedar_privacy_8ft_per_ft: 58
    pressure_treated_6ft_per_ft: 36
    vinyl_privacy_6ft_per_ft: 65
    aluminum_ornamental_4ft_per_ft: 55
    aluminum_pool_code_4ft_per_ft: 75
    chain_link_galvanized_4ft_per_ft: 22
    chain_link_vinyl_coated_4ft_per_ft: 32
    standard_gate_4ft: 695
    double_drive_gate_10ft: 1495
  hoa_lookup:
    - neighborhood: "Northridge"
      hoa_name: "Northridge HOA"
      approval_required: true
      typical_turnaround: "14-21 days"
      requires_neighbor_signatures: false
  warranty_cadence: [30d, 1y, 3y]
  autonomous_quote_threshold: 8000
```

## Quick install

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
mv fence-installation.md ~/.claude/skills/fence-estimator-and-permit-agent.md
# Edit the config block to match your company
```

Launch OpenClaw and the skill is live. Run `triage overnight leads`,
`check 811 locate expirations`, or `compile warranty followup queue` to
invoke it on demand, or wait for Heartbeat.

## Want it wired to your stack?

This SKILL.md is the starting point. If you want it plugged into your specific
CRM, your state 811 portal, your HOA lookup, and your warranty rules on a
fixed-price two-week clock, with the founder writing every line of the
build, the door is at https://www.adhirajhangal.com/work

Install in 60 seconds

1. 1

   Drop the file into your OpenClaw skills directory

   Save the downloaded fence-installation.md as ~/.claude/skills/fence-estimator-and-permit-agent.md (or scope it in your project-level .claude/skills/). OpenClaw picks up new skill files on next agent launch.

2. 2

   Connect your FencePros, JobNimbus, or JobTread instance

   Edit the integrations block to point at your CRM API. Read access to leads, jobs, and your rate card is enough to start. The skill ships prompts that map FencePros, JobNimbus, and JobTread exports into the agent's working memory.

3. 3

   Start in approval mode, then move to autonomous on safe templates

   Run for two weeks with the office manager approving every outbound quote and HOA packet. The skill's defaults route quotes over $15,000, custom-fabricated fence work, and any HOA submission to a human. After two weeks, flip standard residential wood and vinyl quotes to autonomous.

Example conversation

Common questions

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