Garage Door OS Docs
Communications

Send to Customer (Default)

Configure whether job, estimate, and invoice forms start with Send to customer checked on web.
4 min read

Send to Customer (Default)

Control whether the Send to customer checkbox is checked by default when staff create or save jobs, estimates, and invoices on the web app. Staff can still override the checkbox on each save.

Overview

When you create or update a job, estimate, or invoice, the web app shows a checkbox to notify the customer by email (and SMS when dual notifications are enabled). By default this checkbox starts checked. You can change the business-wide default so it starts unchecked—useful if your team prefers to review documents before sending.
This setting applies to manual saves on web only. It does not change:
  • Recurring invoice cron auto-send (configured under Recurring Invoice Settings)
  • Mobile app forms (mobile uses its own defaults today)
  • Resend actions from list/detail menus (those use explicit send flows)

How to access

AreaMenu pathRoute
Business defaultSettings → General → Customer Notifications/settings/general
New jobJobs → New Job/jobs/new
Edit jobJobs → open job → edit drawer/jobs/:id
New estimate (form)Estimates → New Estimate (legacy form)/estimates/new
Estimate builderEstimates → New Estimate (builder)/estimates/new
New / edit invoiceInvoices → New Invoice or edit/invoices/new, /invoices/:id/edit
Requires business:settings (or admin) to change the default.

Configuration at a glance

SettingWhereDefaultEffect
Default 'Send to customer' on saveSettings → General → Customer NotificationsOn (checked)Initial state of the send checkbox on web job/estimate/invoice forms
Send Text Messages with EmailsSame Customer Notifications cardOffWhen on, checked sends also trigger SMS if the customer has a phone number
Stored in business settings as defaultSendToCustomer (boolean). If unset, the app treats it as true for backward compatibility.

What you can do today

  • Set the business default to checked or unchecked for all web create/save flows.
  • Override per save—each form remembers your toggle until you leave the page.
  • Pair with Send Text Messages with Emails for email + SMS on the same action.
  • Use separate Send / Resend actions on estimate and invoice detail after saving without sending.

Prerequisites

  • Email integration (Mailgun, etc.) under Settings → Integrations for outbound email.
  • Twilio or Telnyx configured if you rely on SMS with Send Text Messages with Emails.
  • Customer email (required for email send) and phone (for SMS) on the record.

Step-by-step

1. Set the business default

  1. Go to Settings → General (/settings/general).
  2. Scroll to Customer Notifications.
  3. Find Default 'Send to customer' on save.
  4. Turn on to start with the checkbox checked (notify by default), or off to start unchecked (review before send).
  5. Optionally enable Send Text Messages with Emails on the same card so sends also text the customer when a phone number exists.
  6. Click Save Settings at the top of the page.

2. Use the checkbox when creating records

The checkbox appears in different places depending on the screen:
ScreenCheckbox labelWhen it sends
New Job (/jobs/new)Send notification to customerAfter job is created
Edit Job (/jobs/:id edit drawer)Send notification to customerAfter you save job changes
Estimate formSend to customerAfter estimate is saved
Estimate builderSend via email + textAfter estimate is created
Invoice builderSend to customerAfter invoice is saved
  1. Open the create or edit flow.
  2. Note whether Send to customer (or Send notification to customer) is checked—this reflects your business default until you toggle it.
  3. Change the checkbox if you want the opposite behavior for this save only.
  4. Save or submit.
If the checkbox is unchecked, the record is saved but the customer is not notified. You can send later from the detail page (Send / Resend).

3. Send later from detail (optional)

If you saved with the checkbox off:
  1. Open the job, estimate, or invoice detail page.
  2. Use Send or Resend to customer from actions or the toolbar.
  3. Choose recipients and confirm.

How it interacts with other settings

FeatureRelationship
Recurring Invoice Settings → Invoice DeliveryControls cron-generated copies only—not this checkbox. See Recurring Invoices.
Send Text Messages with EmailsWhen the send checkbox is checked and this is on, customer gets email and SMS (if phone exists).
Email & PDF TemplatesContent of sent messages comes from templates; this setting only controls whether send runs on save.
Customer portalPortal access is separate; sending an estimate/invoice may still trigger portal links in the email body per template.

Troubleshooting

SymptomCheck
Checkbox always starts checkedDefault 'Send to customer' on save is on, or was never changed (defaults to on).
Checkbox always starts uncheckedSetting is off in Customer Notifications—toggle on if you want checked by default.
Checked but customer got no emailEmail integration, customer email address, and spam filters.
Email sent but no SMSEnable Send Text Messages with Emails; confirm Twilio/Telnyx and customer phone.
Mobile behaves differentlyMobile app does not read this business default yet; configure sends per action on mobile.

Current limitations

  • Web only — mobile job/estimate/invoice forms do not use defaultSendToCustomer yet.
  • The checkbox state resets when you open a new form; it does not persist per user—only the business default applies.
  • Job edit drawer checkbox applies to that save only when you change schedule, assignment, or other fields that trigger customer notification logic.

Related features