After sending a quote, the best follow-up method is usually SMS first, then phone for higher-value jobs, and email when the quote needs more detail.
For most tradies, SMS works well because it is quick, simple and easy for the customer to reply to.
Phone calls work better when the job is worth more money or the customer may need help making a decision.
Email works best when the quote is detailed, has attachments, options, terms or multiple decision makers involved.
The mistake is thinking you have to choose only one.
A good quote follow-up process can use all three:
- Email to send the quote
- SMS to confirm they received it
- SMS again for the first follow-up
- Phone call for better-quality leads
- Email for extra detail or final follow-up
The right choice depends on the customer, the job value and where they are in the decision process.
The simple answer
For most trade businesses, this is a good starting point:
Use SMS for quick follow-ups, phone calls for serious leads, and email for detailed information.
That means:
- SMS is best for simple check-ins
- Phone is best for higher-value or warmer leads
- Email is best for longer explanations
- A mix of all three is often better than relying on one channel
If you are only going to use one method, start with SMS.
It is usually the easiest way to get a reply without making the customer feel pressured.
Why SMS usually works best for the first follow-up
SMS is short, direct and easy to read.
Most customers will see a text message faster than an email.
That makes SMS useful for simple quote follow-ups like:
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]
This type of message is not pushy.
It does not ask the customer to decide immediately.
It simply checks whether they received the quote and gives them a chance to ask questions.
For most residential tradies, SMS is the best first follow-up because the customer can reply quickly from their phone.
When to use SMS
Use SMS when:
- you want to confirm the quote was received
- the customer is residential
- the job is simple
- the customer has already been texting you
- you want a quick yes, no or “still thinking”
- you do not need to explain much
- you are following up within 24 to 48 hours
SMS is especially useful for trades like:
- fencing
- landscaping
- plumbing
- electrical
- concreting
- painting
- pool services
- air conditioning
- roofing
- carpentry
If the customer originally contacted you by phone or text, SMS is usually a natural follow-up method.
SMS example after sending a quote
Use this after you send the quote:
Hi [Name], I’ve just sent the quote through for [job type]. Let me know if it has not come through or if you have any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
Example:
Hi Sarah, I’ve just sent the quote through for the timber fence. Let me know if it has not come through or if you have any questions. Cheers, Ricky
This helps avoid the problem where the customer misses the email or the quote lands in spam.
SMS example 24 to 48 hours later
Use this as your 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]
Example:
Hi Mark, just checking you received the quote I sent through for the Colorbond fence. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help. Cheers, Ricky
This is a safe, simple message for most quotes.
If you are unsure about timing, read our guide on how long to wait before following up on a quote.
When SMS is not enough
SMS is great for quick follow-up, but it is not always enough.
SMS may not be the best option when:
- the job is high-value
- the customer has a lot of questions
- there are several options
- the scope is complicated
- the customer is comparing quotes
- the customer has gone quiet after several messages
- there are multiple decision makers
- the quote involves business or commercial work
In those cases, a phone call or email may work better.
SMS can open the conversation, but phone or email can help close it.
When to call after sending a quote
Phone calls work well when the job is worth chasing properly.
If a quote is worth thousands of dollars, it may be worth making a call instead of relying only on text messages.
Call when:
- the lead seemed serious
- the job value is high
- the customer asked detailed questions
- the customer has gone quiet
- you know they are comparing quotes
- the quote has options that may need explaining
- a conversation could help them make a decision
- there is urgency around the job
A call lets you hear what is really going on.
The customer might say the quote is too expensive, but the real issue may be timing, scope, finance or confusion.
You may not find that out by SMS.
Phone script for following up a quote
Use this 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 stop talking 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 they are still deciding:
No problem. Is there anything you are unsure about that would help you make a decision?
If they say it is too expensive:
I understand. Was it mainly the total price, or were you comparing against a different scope?
The goal of the call is not to pressure them.
The goal is to understand what is happening.
When not to call
A phone call is not always the best choice.
Avoid calling too aggressively if:
- the customer has clearly said no
- the customer asked to be contacted by email only
- it is outside reasonable hours
- you have already called several times
- the job is low value and not worth the time
- the customer seems uncomfortable with calls
You do not want to turn a polite follow-up into pressure.
If you call and they do not answer, leave it there for the moment. Send a simple SMS instead.
Use this:
Hi [Name], just tried giving you a quick call about the quote for [job type]. No rush — let me know if you had any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
That keeps it friendly.
When to use email
Email is best when you need more room to explain things.
Use email when:
- the quote is detailed
- the quote includes attachments
- the customer needs options explained
- there are terms, inclusions or exclusions
- the customer is commercial
- multiple people need to review it
- you need a written record
- you are sending a final follow-up
- the customer originally contacted you by email
Email is less immediate than SMS, but it is better for detail.
For bigger jobs, email can make your business look organised and professional.
Email follow-up example
Use this after sending a quote:
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
Email follow-up for a larger job
For a larger job, use this:
Subject: Any questions about the quote?
Hi [Name],
Just checking in on the quote for [job type].
With this type of job, customers often have questions around timing, materials, access, options or scope. I’m happy to talk it through if that would help.
If you are still deciding, no problem at all. I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed.
Cheers, [Your Name]
This works well when the customer may need more information before making a decision.
Email follow-up if there are multiple decision makers
Sometimes the customer is not the only person deciding.
They may need to talk to:
- their partner
- a property manager
- a builder
- a business owner
- a committee
- a landlord
- another contractor
Use this:
Subject: Quote follow-up
Hi [Name],
Just checking in on the quote for [job type].
I understand there may be a few things to review or discuss before making a decision. If it helps, I’m happy to clarify the scope, options or next steps so everyone has the same information.
Cheers, [Your Name]
This is softer and more professional than pushing for an immediate answer.
Should you use all three?
Yes, in many cases.
A simple system could look like this:
Step 1: Send the quote by email
Email the quote so the customer has the full details.
Step 2: Confirm by SMS
Send a short text after the quote goes out.
Hi [Name], I’ve just sent the quote through for [job type]. Let me know if it has not come through or if you have any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
Step 3: Follow up by SMS after 24 to 48 hours
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]
Step 4: Call stronger leads
For higher-value jobs, call if they have not replied.
Step 5: Send a final follow-up
Use SMS or email to close the loop.
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 gives you multiple chances to recover the job without annoying the customer.
Best method by situation
Here is a simple guide.
For a small residential job, use SMS.
For a larger residential job, use email plus SMS.
For a high-value job, use email, SMS and a phone call.
For a commercial job, use email first, then phone.
For a customer who has been texting you, use SMS.
For a customer who asked detailed questions, call or email.
For a customer who has gone cold, send SMS first, then consider calling.
For a customer who said no, do not keep chasing.
The best follow-up method depends on the context.
What if the customer does not answer the phone?
If the customer does not answer, do not keep calling over and over.
Send a simple SMS:
Hi [Name], just tried giving you a quick call about the quote for [job type]. No rush — let me know if you had any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
That is enough.
If they still do not reply, follow your normal follow-up schedule.
What if the customer does not reply to SMS?
If they do not reply to SMS, try email or phone depending on the job.
If the job is low value, it may not be worth spending too much time chasing.
If the job is high value, it may be worth a call.
Use this:
Hi [Name], just checking whether you are still looking to get [job type] done, or whether you would like me to leave the quote with you for now. Cheers, [Your Name]
This gives them an easy way to respond.
What if the customer does not reply to email?
If they do not reply to email, send a short SMS confirming they received it.
Use this:
Hi [Name], just checking you received the quote I emailed through for [job type]. Let me know if you have any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
A lot of quote emails get missed, buried or ignored.
SMS brings the quote back to their attention.
What if the customer prefers one channel?
Use the channel the customer prefers.
If they only email, email them.
If they have been texting you, text them.
If they asked you to call, call them.
A good follow-up process should feel natural to the customer.
Automation can help with reminders and consistency, but the message should still match how the customer wants to communicate.
What not to do
Do not send the same message across SMS, email and phone all at once.
That can feel like too much.
Do not call repeatedly if they do not answer.
Do not send long SMS messages that should have been emails.
Do not rely only on email for urgent follow-ups.
Do not ignore good leads just because you already sent the quote.
And do not assume silence means no.
Silence often means the customer got busy, missed the message, or needs a reason to respond.
A simple quote follow-up sequence using all three
Here is a practical sequence.
Day 0: Email quote and send SMS
Email the quote.
Then send:
Hi [Name], I’ve just sent the quote through for [job type]. Let me know if it has not come through or if you have any questions. Cheers, [Your Name]
Day 2: SMS 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 to 7: Call or SMS
For high-value leads, call.
For normal leads, text:
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 to 14: Final email or SMS
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 trade businesses.
Why the channel matters
The message matters, but the channel matters too.
SMS is fast.
Email is detailed.
Phone is personal.
If you use the wrong channel, the follow-up can fall flat.
For example, a long technical explanation by SMS can feel annoying.
A simple “just checking in” email can be missed.
A phone call for a tiny low-value job may not be worth your time.
The best follow-up system uses the right channel for the right moment.
Should quote follow-up be automated?
Quote follow-up can be automated, but it should not feel robotic.
A good system can:
- send the quote
- confirm it was sent
- send SMS follow-ups
- send email follow-ups
- remind you when to call
- track open quotes
- flag old quotes
- show which leads need attention
But the message should still sound human.
For example:
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]
That sounds much better than:
This is an automated notification regarding your outstanding quotation.
The system should make you more consistent, not less personal.
Final answer
After sending a quote, SMS is usually the best first follow-up because it is quick and easy to reply to.
Phone calls work best for higher-value jobs where a conversation could help the customer make a decision.
Email works best when the quote has details, attachments, options or multiple decision makers.
For most tradies, the best approach is:
- send the quote by email
- confirm by SMS
- follow up by SMS after 24 to 48 hours
- call serious or higher-value leads
- use email for detailed or final follow-ups
That gives you the best chance of getting a reply without sounding pushy.
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 your current quote follow-up process and show you where jobs may be slipping through the cracks.