Sending the quote is only half the job.
For a lot of tradies, the real money is in what happens after the quote is sent. Some customers are ready to go straight away. Others get busy, compare prices, forget to reply, or sit on the decision for a few days.
That does not always mean they are not interested.
It often means they need a simple follow-up.
The best way to follow up after sending a quote is to keep it short, polite and helpful. You do not need to pressure the customer. You just need to remind them, check whether they received the quote, and make it easy for them to take the next step.
A good follow-up message should do three things:
- Confirm they received the quote.
- Ask if they have any questions.
- Give them a simple next step.
Here are practical quote follow-up scripts you can use by SMS, email and phone.
Why following up quotes matters
A customer might request a quote from three different businesses.
If one business sends the quote and disappears, while another follows up professionally, the second business often feels more organised and easier to deal with.
That does not mean you need to annoy people.
It means you need a simple process.
When I was running a fencing business, the hardest part was not always quoting the job. It was keeping track of who had received a quote, who needed a reminder, who had asked for changes, and who had gone quiet.
That is where a lot of jobs slip through the cracks.
A good quote follow-up process helps you:
- stay front of mind
- answer questions before the customer chooses someone else
- recover jobs that would otherwise go cold
- look more professional
- avoid relying on memory
- keep your pipeline moving
For most trade businesses, quote follow-up is not about being pushy. It is about being organised.
When should you follow up after sending a quote?
A simple rule is:
Follow up within 24 to 48 hours after sending the quote.
That gives the customer enough time to look at it, but not so much time that they forget about you.
For smaller jobs, you can follow up the next day.
For bigger jobs, such as fencing, landscaping, roofing, bathrooms, kitchens, concreting or larger electrical work, the customer may need more time. But you should still check in within a couple of days.
A simple follow-up schedule could look like this:
TimingFollow-upSame daySend quote and confirm it has been sent1–2 days laterFirst polite follow-up5–7 days laterSecond follow-up10–14 days laterFinal check-in30+ days laterOld quote reactivation message
This does not need to be complicated. The main thing is that every quote has a next step.
First SMS follow-up after sending a quote
SMS is usually the easiest first follow-up because it is quick and casual.
Here is a simple script:
Hi [Name], just checking you received the quote I sent through for [job type]. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help. Cheers, [Your Name]
Example for a fencing business:
Hi Sarah, just checking you received the quote I sent through for the timber fence in Kirwan. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help. Cheers, Ricky
This works because it is simple. You are not begging for the job. You are just checking in.
Follow-up SMS if they have not replied
If the customer has not replied after a few days, you can send a slightly more direct message:
Hi [Name], just following up on the quote for [job type]. Are you still looking to get this done, or would you like me to leave it with you for now? Cheers, [Your Name]
This gives them an easy way to respond.
They can say:
- yes, we are still interested
- we are waiting on something
- we went with someone else
- leave it for now
Any answer is better than silence.
Follow-up SMS for a larger job
For larger jobs, the customer may have questions around timing, materials, access, colours, payment or scope.
Use a message like this:
Hi [Name], just checking in on the quote for [job type]. With jobs like this, customers often have questions around timing, materials or options, so I’m happy to talk it through if that helps. Cheers, [Your Name]
Example:
Hi Mark, just checking in on the quote for the Colorbond fence. With jobs like this, customers often have questions around colours, timing or access, so I’m happy to talk it through if that helps. Cheers, Ricky
This is useful because you are giving them a reason to reply.
Follow-up email after sending a quote
Email works better when the quote is more detailed or when there are multiple decision makers.
Here is a simple email template:
Subject: Following up on your quote
Hi [Name],
Just following up to make sure you received the quote for [job type].
Let me know if you have any questions about the scope, timing or options included. I’m happy to clarify anything if needed.
If you would like to go ahead, the next step is [next step].
Cheers, [Your Name]
Example:
Subject: Following up on your fencing quote
Hi Sarah,
Just following up to make sure you received the quote for the timber fence.
Let me know if you have any questions about the scope, timing or options included. I’m happy to clarify anything if needed.
If you would like to go ahead, the next step is confirming the quote and locking in an install date.
Cheers, Ricky
Follow-up email if the customer has gone quiet
If the customer has not replied after your first follow-up, send a short second email.
Subject: Still interested in going ahead?
Hi [Name],
Just checking whether you are still looking to go ahead with [job type].
No stress either way. I just wanted to follow up so I know whether to keep this quote active or leave it with you for now.
Cheers, [Your Name]
This works because it is not aggressive. It gives the customer permission to say no, which often makes them more likely to reply honestly.
Phone script for following up a quote
Some tradies prefer to call. Phone calls can work well, especially for higher-value jobs.
Here is a simple script:
Hi [Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Business Name]. I’m just calling to make sure you received the quote I sent through for [job type]. I didn’t want to hassle you, but I wanted to check if you had any questions or if there was anything you wanted me to clarify.
Then pause and let them answer.
If they say they have not looked at it yet:
No worries at all. Would it be alright if I checked back in later in the week?
If they say it is too expensive:
I understand. Was it mainly the total price, or were you comparing a different scope?
If they say they are still deciding:
No problem. Is there anything you are unsure about that would help you make a decision?
The goal of the call is not to pressure them. The goal is to understand where they are at.
What to say if the customer says the quote is too expensive
Price objections are normal.
Do not panic and immediately discount.
Use this:
I understand. Just so I know, are you comparing against another quote with the same scope, or are you mainly trying to keep the total cost down?
This is important because sometimes the customer is not comparing the same job.
One quote might include better materials, removal, disposal, access work, thicker posts, better fittings, or a more complete scope.
If you discount too quickly, you may cut your margin for no reason.
What to say if the customer says they need to think about it
Use this:
No worries. Is there anything specific you are unsure about, or are you just working through timing and budget?
This keeps the conversation open.
They might say:
- they need to talk to their partner
- they are waiting on finance
- they are comparing quotes
- they are not ready yet
- they need the job done later
That gives you a better idea of when to follow up next.
What to say if the customer asks for changes
If the customer asks for changes, do not treat it as a dead lead. That is often a buying signal.
Use this:
No problem. I can update the quote for you. Just to confirm, you would like [change requested]. I’ll adjust it and send it back through.
After sending the revised quote, follow up again:
Hi [Name], I’ve sent the updated quote through with the changes we discussed. Let me know if that looks right or if you’d like anything adjusted.
Revised quotes need follow-up too. Do not assume the customer will reply just because they asked for a change.
What not to say when following up a quote
Avoid messages that sound desperate, annoyed or passive-aggressive.
Do not say:
Just chasing this up again.
Or:
I haven’t heard back from you.
Or:
Are you going ahead or not?
Or:
I need an answer today.
Those messages can make the customer feel pressured.
Instead, keep it calm and professional:
Just checking in to see if you had any questions about the quote.
Or:
Would you like me to keep this quote active, or leave it with you for now?
How many times should you follow up?
For most trade businesses, a simple follow-up sequence is enough:
- First follow-up after 1–2 days
- Second follow-up after 5–7 days
- Final follow-up after 10–14 days
- Optional reactivation message after 30 days or more
You do not need to message someone every day.
The goal is to be consistent, not annoying.
If the customer replies and says they are not interested, thank them and move on.
If they say they need more time, set a reminder and follow up when they asked you to.
Final follow-up message
If you have followed up a couple of times and still have not heard back, send a final polite message.
Hi [Name], I haven’t been able to reach you, so I’ll leave the quote with you for now. If you decide you’d like to go ahead or have any questions later, feel free to get in touch. Cheers, [Your Name]
This closes the loop without burning the relationship.
Some customers will reply to this message because they realise the quote may no longer stay open forever.
Old quote follow-up message
Old quotes can still turn into jobs.
Use this if it has been a few weeks or months:
Hi [Name], just checking in on the quote I sent through for [job type]. Are you still looking to get this done, or has it been sorted already? Cheers, [Your Name]
Example:
Hi Sarah, just checking in on the quote I sent through for the timber fence. Are you still looking to get this done, or has it been sorted already? Cheers, Ricky
This is a simple way to recover old opportunities sitting in your inbox or quoting software.
A simple quote follow-up system
The easiest way to stop quotes going cold is to have a basic system.
Every quote should have:
- customer name
- phone number
- job type
- quote value
- date quote was sent
- next follow-up date
- current status
- notes from the last conversation
The status could be:
- quote sent
- first follow-up sent
- second follow-up sent
- waiting on customer
- customer requested changes
- won
- lost
- follow up later
Even a spreadsheet is better than relying on memory.
The problem is that many tradies are busy on the tools. They quote at night, answer calls between jobs, send messages from the ute, and forget to follow up because the next urgent thing takes over.
That is why a quote follow-up system can make such a difference.
Example 7-day quote follow-up sequence
Here is a simple sequence you can use.
Day 0: Quote sent
Hi [Name], I’ve just sent the quote through for [job type]. Let me know if you have any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
Day 2: First follow-up
Hi [Name], just checking you received the quote I sent through for [job type]. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help. Cheers, [Your Name]
Day 5: Second follow-up
Hi [Name], just following up on the quote for [job type]. Are you still looking to get this done, or would you like me to leave it with you for now? Cheers, [Your Name]
Day 10: Final follow-up
Hi [Name], I haven’t been able to reach you, so I’ll leave the quote with you for now. If you decide you’d like to go ahead or have any questions later, feel free to get in touch. Cheers, [Your Name]
This is enough for most small trade businesses.
Should you automate quote follow-up?
If you only send a few quotes a month, you can probably follow up manually.
But if you are sending quotes every week and trying to manage calls, jobs, staff, suppliers and admin, follow-up can easily get missed.
Automation helps by making sure every quote gets a consistent follow-up without you needing to remember it manually.
A quote follow-up system can:
- send SMS reminders
- send email follow-ups
- remind you when to call
- track which quotes are still open
- update quote status
- show which leads have gone cold
- help recover jobs that were forgotten
The best systems still sound human. The automation should support the business, not make the customer feel like they are talking to a robot.
Final thoughts
Following up after sending a quote does not need to be awkward.
Keep it simple:
- check they received the quote
- ask if they have questions
- give them an easy next step
- follow up consistently
- stop relying on memory
Most customers will not be annoyed by a polite follow-up. In many cases, they expect it.
The real problem is not following up too much.
The bigger problem is sending the quote, getting busy, and never following up at all.
Want this handled automatically?
Tradie Systems Co builds quote follow-up systems for Australian tradies so leads do not get forgotten after the quote is sent.
If you are sending quotes but not consistently following them up, book a free Quote Follow-Up Audit.
We will look at how your current quote follow-up process works and show you where jobs may be slipping through the cracks.