Workbench · Toolbox

Today’s Worker AI Toolbox

The Toolbox supports the Workbench and the Field Guide. It does not replace them. Bring a task to the Workbench, use the Field Guide method, then pick a tool or prompt here.

Method record status: hypothesis. These methods and prompts are not yet tested in a named shop or measured. Nothing on this page has been proven yet.

Pick your trade. Get the tools with prices copied from their own pages, and prompts that draft from the folder you already have. You still make the one check before anything leaves.

23 tools and 27 prompts. No tool paid to be here. Prices checked 2026-10-15; follow the source link before you buy.

Tools

Claude AI assistant · free tier: yes
Free $0; Pro $17/mo billed annually ($20 monthly); Max from $100/mo. Source: Claude pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
ChatGPT AI assistant · free tier: yes
Not published in fetched page text (plan prices render client-side); page says a free version is available to everyone. Price figures not captured; recheck by hand. Source: ChatGPT pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Google Gemini AI assistant · free tier: yes
$0 with a Google Account; plans at $4.99/mo and $19.99/mo; from $99.99/mo; business from $21/seat/mo. Source: Google Gemini pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Fathom Meeting notes · free tier: yes
Free plan; Team $15/user/mo billed annually ($19 monthly), 2-user minimum. Source: Fathom pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Fireflies.ai Meeting notes · free tier: yes
Free $0; Pro $10/seat/mo billed annually ($18 monthly); Business $19/seat/mo billed annually. Source: Fireflies.ai pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Otter.ai Meeting notes · free tier: yes
Basic free; Pro $16.99/user/mo monthly or $8.33/user/mo annual (page also showed promo discounts). Source: Otter.ai pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Grammarly Writing check · free tier: yes
Free $0; Pro $12 USD (billing basis not captured). Source: Grammarly pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Notion Notes and docs · free tier: yes
Free $0; Plus $10/member/mo; Business $20/member/mo. Source: Notion pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Zapier Automation · free tier: yes
Free $0; Professional from $19.99/mo; Team from $69/mo. Source: Zapier pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Jobber Field service software · free tier: no
Core starting at $29/mo; additional users $29/mo each; higher tiers listed up to $699/mo. Pricing page nav lists 'AI Tools' and 'Receptionist'. Source: Jobber pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Housecall Pro Field service software · free tier: no
Basic from $59/mo billed annually; 14-day free trial. Source: Housecall Pro pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
ServiceTitan Field service software · free tier: no
Not published (page offers packages via demo / contact sales). Source: ServiceTitan pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Joist Estimates and invoices · free tier: no
Basics $12/mo monthly ($8.34/mo annual); Pro $17/mo; Elite $32/mo; 14-day free trial. Source: Joist pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
CompanyCam Job photos · free tier: no
Core base price not in fetched text; additional users $29 each, billed annually; free trial. Page lists 'Turn job photos into reports'. Source: CompanyCam pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Workiz Field service software · free tier: no
Not published in fetched page text; 7-day free trial mentioned in FAQ. Source: Workiz pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
GorillaDesk Field service software · free tier: no
Basic $49/mo (1 route); Pro $99/mo; Growth $149/mo. Source: GorillaDesk pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Service Fusion Field service software · free tier: no
Starter $208/mo billed annually ($245 monthly), unlimited users. Page lists add-on 'ServiceCall.ai'. Source: Service Fusion pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
ServiceM8 Field service software · free tier: no
Core plan figures not in fetched text; phone add-on from $19/mo; 14-day free trial. Source: ServiceM8 pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Markate Field service software · free tier: no
$49.95/mo ($45.95/mo billed yearly); Kate-AI Receptionist add-on $1/call; 14-day free trial. Source: Markate pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Handoff AI estimating · free tier: no
Flex $119/mo billed annually ($149 monthly); Pro $239/mo; Scale $719/mo; 7-day free trial. Source: Handoff pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
LMN (Granum) Landscape business software · free tier: no
Starter $297/mo; Professional starting at $648/mo; Enterprise contact sales. Source: LMN (Granum) pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Tekmetric Shop management · free tier: no
Start $179/mo billed annually ($199 monthly); Grow $309/mo annual; Scale $409/mo annual. Source: Tekmetric pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.
Shopmonkey Shop management · free tier: no
Basic $215/mo; Clever $359/mo; Genius $449/mo; one-time $500 data migration fee noted for multi-shop. Source: Shopmonkey pricing page, checked 2026-10-15.

Prompts and workflows

Rough-in estimate from the walk notes General contractor · Estimating

Here are my walk notes and the photo list for one job: [paste]. Turn them into a line-item estimate using only the quantities I wrote. Where a quantity is missing, write MISSING, not a guess. Use my unit prices from this list: [paste price list]. End with three lines: what is in, what is out, and what would change the number.

Check before you send: Every quantity on the estimate appears in your walk notes.

One-page proposal from the estimate General contractor · Proposals

From this estimate [paste], write a one-page proposal a homeowner can read standing up. Order: the job in one sentence, the price once, what is in, what is out, start window, how to say yes. No adjectives about quality. Do not add services I did not list.

Check before you send: The price on the proposal matches the estimate total.

Change order note General contractor · Client emails

The client asked for this change mid-job: [describe]. Write a short change order message for the thread we already use: what changes, the added cost [number], the added days [number], and one line asking for a written yes before we start it.

Check before you send: The added cost and days are numbers you typed, not the clerk's.

Same-day note after a no-cool call HVAC · Follow-ups

Job notes: [paste]. Write a two-sentence text to the customer for the thread we already use: what we found, what we did. If my notes mention a recommended repair, add one line with the price from my notes. No scare words.

Check before you send: The part name and price match the ticket.

Replace-or-repair quote, two options HVAC · Quotes

From this ticket and my price sheet [paste], write a quote with exactly two options: repair and replace. For each: price, what it includes, how long it takes. Do not rank them or call either one best. End with how to pick one by reply.

Check before you send: Both option prices come from your price sheet.

Maintenance visit reminder HVAC · Scheduling

Write a short text reminding [name] their maintenance visit is due in [month]. Offer the two time windows I list here [windows]. One sentence. No discount unless I list one.

Check before you send: The windows are ones the board actually has open.

Voice memo to job note Plumbing · Job notes

Here is my voice memo transcript from the truck: [paste]. Turn it into a job note with four fields: what failed, what I replaced (parts and quantities), what I told the customer, what is still open. Leave a field blank if I did not say it.

Check before you send: The parts list matches what left the truck.

Repipe estimate checklist Plumbing · Estimating

I am pricing a repipe. From my notes [paste], list every input I still need before I can price it (fixture count, access, wall finish, permit). Do not price it. Just tell me what is missing.

Check before you send: You can answer each missing input from a site visit, not a guess.

Answer a price question on the thread Plumbing · Client emails

A customer asked on our existing thread: [paste question]. Answer with the number from my price list [paste], one line on what it includes, and one line on what would change it. Three sentences maximum.

Check before you send: The number is on your posted price list.

Panel upgrade proposal Electrical · Proposals

From my site notes and price list [paste], write a panel upgrade proposal: the job in one sentence, the price, what is in, permit and inspection steps as I described them, and what the customer must do before we arrive. Do not add code citations I did not give you.

Check before you send: Permit steps match what your jurisdiction actually requires.

Parked maybe, due today Electrical · Follow-ups

This customer said not now on [date] about [job]. Write one short message for the thread we already use that restates the job and price from my notes and asks one yes-or-no question. If I have nothing new to say, tell me to delete the line instead.

Check before you send: There is a real reason to send today. If not, delete.

Seasonal maintenance quote Landscaping · Quotes

From my property notes [paste] and my per-visit rates [paste], write a seasonal maintenance quote: visits per month, price per visit, season total, what is not included. One page. No upsell lines.

Check before you send: The season total is visits times the rate.

Weather reschedule text Landscaping · Scheduling

Rain moved tomorrow's route. From this list of customers and new dates [paste], write one short text per customer with their new date. Same wording for each. No apology paragraph.

Check before you send: Each new date is on the revised route.

Crew handoff note Landscaping · Job notes

From my notes on this property [paste], write a handoff note for a crew lead who has never been there: gate code location, what to cut, what not to touch, where to dump. Bullet points only.

Check before you send: Nothing on the note came from outside your notes.

Acreage clearing estimate inputs Land clearing · Estimating

I walked a lot for clearing. From my notes [paste], build an estimate table: acreage, vegetation density as I described it, equipment days, haul-off or mulch-in-place, access issues. Price only rows where I gave a rate. Mark the rest NEEDS RATE.

Check before you send: Every priced row uses a rate you wrote.

Clearing scope in plain words Land clearing · Proposals

From this estimate [paste], write a one-page scope a landowner can sign: what gets cleared, what stays (trees I flagged), what happens to the debris, the price, the window. Do not promise a finish date I did not give.

Check before you send: Trees marked to stay are named on the page.

Recurring clean quote Cleaning · Quotes

From the walkthrough notes [paste] and my rates [paste], write a recurring cleaning quote: frequency, rooms included, price per visit, what is extra. Keep it under 150 words.

Check before you send: Room count matches the walkthrough.

First-clean check-in that carries proof Cleaning · Follow-ups

Write a two-sentence message to [name] after their first clean, on the thread we already use: what we did, and one question asking if anything was missed. No review ask on the first visit.

Check before you send: You actually have a first-clean detail to mention.

Repair order explained for the customer Auto / shop · Estimating

From this repair order [paste], write a plain-language explanation for the customer: what we found, what we recommend now, what can wait, price for each line as written on the RO. Do not add parts or labor.

Check before you send: Line prices match the RO.

Tech notes to customer-ready notes Auto / shop · Job notes

Turn these tech notes [paste] into three short customer-facing lines: concern, cause, correction. Keep part numbers off. Keep any measurement I wrote, word for word.

Check before you send: Measurements copy over unchanged.

Declined work reminder Auto / shop · Follow-ups

The customer declined this item on [date]: [item, price]. Write one short message that restates the item and price and asks if they want it scheduled. If the item is not a safety issue in my notes, do not imply it is.

Check before you send: Your notes support any safety wording.

Tomorrow's board in one message Office manager · Scheduling

From tomorrow's schedule [paste], write one message per crew lead listing their stops in order with address and job type. Flag any stop with no address or no job type as INCOMPLETE.

Check before you send: Stop count per crew matches the board.

Past-due invoice note Office manager · Client emails

Write a short, polite past-due note for invoice [number], amount [amount], due [date], on the thread we already use. State the amount once, how to pay, and one line asking them to reply if something is wrong with the bill.

Check before you send: Amount and due date match the invoice.

Call log to job ticket Office manager · Job notes

From this phone call summary [paste], create a job ticket: name, address, problem in their words, urgency as they stated it, callback number. Leave blanks blank.

Check before you send: Callback number is read back to the caller.

Fixed-scope proposal from call notes Solo consultant · Proposals

From my discovery notes [paste], write a fixed-scope proposal: the problem in the client's words, the one deliverable, the price [number], the timeline, what is out of scope. One page. No case studies I did not provide.

Check before you send: The deliverable is one thing, not a menu.

Weekly client update Solo consultant · Client emails

From my notes this week [paste], write a client update: done, next, blocked on you. Three short sections. No filler opener.

Check before you send: Every 'done' item is actually finished.

Proposal follow-up with one question Solo consultant · Follow-ups

I sent a proposal on [date]. Write one follow-up on the same thread that asks one specific question about the scope, not 'just checking in'. If I cannot name a real question, tell me not to send it.

Check before you send: The question is real. Otherwise skip the send.

What the pricing pages showed

We opened the pricing page of each of the 14 job-management, shop and estimating tools in this toolbox on 15 October 2026. 10 printed an entry price in the page text. 4 did not, or hid the base figure behind a demo or a script. The printed entry prices ran from $12 to $297 a month, median $89. 0 of the 14 had a free tier; trials are not counted. Of the 9 general AI and office tools, 9 had a free tier.

Method: one fetch per pricing page, text extracted, first dollar figure on the cheapest listed plan recorded as entry price (annual-billed figure where the page led with it). Each row above links its own pricing page. A price you see today may differ; the source link is the truth.

By trade: AI for HVAC · AI for plumbing · AI for landscaping · AI for auto shops · Estimating prompts

Methods draw on published ideas from Dan Koe (focused one-person work) and Cal Newport (deep work, career capital). This page cites them as influences only. Neither author has reviewed or endorsed Today’s Worker.