What should a tradie's quote follow-up SMS say?

Keep it short: 'Hi [Name], just following up on the quote I sent for [job type]. Happy to answer any questions or adjust anything if needed. [Your name].' Do not re-send the price. Do not ask if they are going with someone else. Just open the door.

When is the right time to follow up a quote?

Two to three business days after sending. Long enough for the customer to have looked at it. Short enough that you are still fresh in their mind. If you quoted in person, you can follow up a day sooner.

How many times should I follow up a quote?

Twice is enough for most jobs. First follow-up at two to three days, second at seven days. After that, a brief closing message like 'No problem if you have gone another way — happy to help if something changes' is professional and leaves a good impression.

Can I use the same template for every trade?

You can use the same structure, but personalise the job reference. A plumber's follow-up for a hot water system replacement reads differently from a landscaper's follow-up for a garden redesign. The customer should feel the message was written for them.

Should I follow up by SMS or email?

SMS for most trades — open rates are much higher than email. Use email only if the customer contacted you by email first, or if the quote was for a large project where a professional email is expected.

Home›Tradie Guides›Quote Follow-Up Template

📋 Tradie Admin Guide

How to Follow Up Quotes Without Sounding Pushy

The best quote follow-up is short, polite and easy to answer. Remind the customer what the quote was for, ask if they have any questions, and give them a simple next step. You do not need to pressure them. You just need a clear follow-up habit.

Short answer: Send one follow-up SMS two to three days after the quote with a short, warm message. Use the customer's name. Reference the job. Ask if they have any questions. That is all. Most customers who were going to say yes will reply within 24 hours of the follow-up.

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Why it works

A follow-up can win work without being pushy

Many tradies send quotes and then wait. The customer may be busy, unsure or comparing options. A helpful follow-up can win work without making the business sound desperate.

Simple templates

Quote follow-up message examples

First follow-up (2–3 days)

Hi [Name], just checking whether you had any questions about the quote for [job type]. Happy to clarify anything. — [Your name]

Second follow-up (1 week)

Hi [Name], following up on the [job type] quote I sent last week. Let me know if you would like to go ahead or if timing has changed. — [Your name]

Final check-in

Hi [Name], just a final check-in on the [job type] quote. No pressure at all — if the timing does not suit, let me know and I can follow up again later. — [Your name]

Simple process

A quote follow-up habit that sticks

Follow up once after two to three business days.
Keep the message friendly and brief.
Ask if they have questions, not whether they are ready to buy.
Set a second reminder if there is no reply.
Mark the quote as won, lost, waiting or follow-up later.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How soon should a tradie follow up a quote?

Two to three business days is a good first follow-up for many small jobs. Larger jobs may need a little more time, but they still need a reminder.

Should I use SMS or email?

Use the channel the customer has already used if possible. SMS is good for short check-ins. Email is better for detailed quotes or attachments.

How many times should I follow up?

Usually one or two polite follow-ups is enough. After that, move the quote to a later follow-up or closed list.

Can AI help write follow-up messages?

Yes. AI can draft a polite message, but you should check the wording so it sounds like your business.

What if they never reply?

Close the quote in your tracker and set a reminder to check back in a few weeks. Circumstances change and a polite later follow-up sometimes wins the job.

Helpful next steps

Industry page

Tradie Quoting and Follow-Up System

See a full quote follow-up workflow for tradies.

Service

AI Follow-Up Assistant

Get help drafting polite follow-up messages.

Tool

Quote Follow-Up Message Generator

Generate a polite quote follow-up SMS or email.

Guide

Should Tradies Use AI to Write Quotes?

Understand where AI helps and where to keep humans in the loop.

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