A receptionist that never stops the saw
Bespoke work starts with a good conversation, and it usually arrives while the saw is running. An AI receptionist on your Line number answers in your company name, finds out what the caller wants made, where, and roughly what size, explains how deposits and lead times work, books the measuring visit into your diary, and writes the brief up in your CRM. Start with Molly, the pre-built receptionist, or build your own agent for the way you work.
- Incoming call while the planer is runningThu 11:25
Larch Bespoke Joinery, how can I help?
Molly, AI receptionistI'd like fitted wardrobes for a bedroom with a sloping ceiling. Is that something you make?
Yes, fitted work under sloping ceilings is a lot of what we do. Roughly how wide is the wall, and what's your postcode?
Molly, AI receptionistAbout three metres. Painted finish, I think. BS6 5DR.
Thanks. The first step is a measuring visit with Jo. She can do Tuesday at 18:00 or Saturday at 09:30. Fitted wardrobes are on a ten-week lead time from a paid deposit. Which suits?
Molly, AI receptionistTuesday works.
Measure booked · Fitted wardrobes · Jo · Tue 18:00
Sloping ceiling, approx 3m, painted finish. Enquiry created in the CRM, customer texted the confirmation and a link to the fitted wardrobe gallery.
Everything a joinery receptionist does, done by the agent
In a joinery shop the receptionist knows the difference between a repair and a commission. Each row below is a task the agent does on the call, or straight after it.
| What a receptionist does | How the agent does it |
|---|---|
| Answers in your company name while the machines run | Picks up on the first ring with your greeting, 24/7, out of hours only, or only when nobody in the workshop answers. |
| Takes the brief for bespoke work | Asks what they want made, the room, rough sizes, the timber or finish, and the postcode. Follows the question list you set for wardrobes, kitchens, doors, and stairs. |
| Sorts a repair from a commission | A sticking door or a broken hinge gets a repair slot. A fitted alcove gets a measuring visit. You set the rules. |
| Books the measuring visit | Finds the next gap in Google Calendar or Microsoft 365, offers two slots, and books it. Evenings and Saturdays, if that's when you measure. |
| Explains deposits and lead times | Tells the caller your deposit percentage, when it's due, and the current lead time for that kind of work, from your knowledge base. |
| Sends photos, drawings, and the gallery | Asks the customer for photos of the space by WhatsApp and sends them examples of similar work. |
| Writes the brief up in the CRM | Adds the customer, the room, the sizes, the finish, the photos, and the visit, to Line's CRM or your job software. |
| Chases the design quote | Follows up after the quote at the intervals you set. Takes the deposit decision and confirms the workshop slot. |
| Keeps clients updated during the build | Tells a known client where their piece is in the workshop and when fitting is booked, from the job status in the CRM. |
Workflows a joinery business builds in an afternoon
Each one is a trigger, a few conditions, and actions in the workflow builder. No code. Change a step and it's live.
- 1The agent takes the brief: piece, room, sizes, finish, postcode
- 2Checks the postcode is inside your fitting area
- 3Offers the next two measuring slots from your diary
- 4Books the visit, texts the confirmation, and asks for photos by WhatsApp
- 5Creates the enquiry in the CRM with the brief attached
You arrive at every measure knowing the piece, the room, and the finish.
- 1The agent emails the deposit invoice and the terms
- 2Texts a reminder if the deposit is unpaid after 3 days
- 3When the deposit is paid, books the workshop slot and the fitting date in the diary
- 4Texts the customer the fitting date and the current lead time
No piece goes on the bench before the deposit is in.
- 1The agent answers with your out-of-hours greeting
- 2Asks what needs fixing and whether the property is secure
- 3If a door or a lock leaves the property open, flags you at once
- 4Otherwise books the next repair slot and texts the time
- 5Logs the call and the transcript in the inbox
Evening callers get a slot. You only get a call when a door won't shut.
Built in the workflow builder: a trigger, conditions, and actions. The agent is one of the actions.
Tools and integrations the agent works with
A receptionist is only useful if they can get into the diary and the CRM. Connect the tools and the agent uses them on the call.
A Thursday with the agent on the phones
What actually happens when the phone is covered all day.
A customer calls about a sticking front door. The agent books a repair for tomorrow morning and texts the time.
An interior designer calls about a run of alcove units for a client. The agent takes the brief, asks for the drawings by email, and books the measure.
A customer asks when their kitchen will be ready. The agent reads the job status and tells them fitting is booked for the 22nd.
The deposit workflow texts a reminder to a client who accepted a quote on Monday. They pay. The workshop slot is booked.
Out-of-hours rule switches on. Calls now go to the agent first.
A landlord calls about a bedroom door that won't close. The property is secure. The agent books the first slot on Monday and texts the tenant.
- A repair that leaves a property unsafe or open: a broken front door, a lock that won't work. The agent flags you at once with the address.
- A price for bespoke work. The agent explains how you quote and books the measure. It does not give a figure you have not put on the price list.
- A complaint about a finish or a fitting, or a request to change a design after the deposit. The agent takes the details and passes them to you. It never makes a promise you have not authorised.
Questions carpentry and joinery businesses ask
Straight answers on setup, limits, and cost.
Related
Line for carpenters and joiners
The whole phone system for your trade: numbers, routing, texts, and the inbox.
AI receptionist
What the receptionist does on every call, and what it costs.
Workflow builder
Triggers, conditions, and actions for calls and messages.
Integrations
Zapier, Make, n8n, and the REST API.
Last reviewed .
Put a receptionist on your number today
Pick a UK number or bring yours, switch the receptionist on, and tell it about the business. Included with Pro and Business, an add-on on Starter. No setup fee.