Follow up a quote by checking it arrived, offering to answer questions and making the next step clear. A polite follow-up is useful when it reduces uncertainty, rather than simply asking whether the customer has decided.
You have already done the site visit, worked out the scope and sent the price. Now the quote is sitting there with no reply. It is tempting to send “just following up” every few days, but that gives the customer no reason to respond.
The problem: silence feels like rejection
Customers go quiet for ordinary reasons. They may be comparing quotes, waiting for a partner to decide, checking finance, dealing with another job or unsure what one line in your scope means. Silence is not proof that the price is wrong.
For the tradie, the bigger issue is that every quote has a next action, but that action often lives in memory. When the day gets busy, a promising job becomes a forgotten email.
The fix: make each follow-up do one job
Use a small sequence rather than one vague chase. Each contact should have a purpose.
- Confirm delivery. “Just checking the quote came through.”
- Offer clarity. “Is there anything in the scope you would like me to explain?”
- Reduce delay. “I have an opening next Thursday if you are ready to proceed.”
- Close respectfully. “If the timing has changed, no worries. Let me know and I’ll close this off for now.”
What should the timing look like?
There is no universal schedule for every job. An urgent repair, a renovation and a maintenance project have different decision windows. A simple starting point is to check delivery shortly after sending, follow up with a useful question a few days later and make one final respectful check-in if you still have no response.
| Moment | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| After sending | Confirm the quote arrived | “Hi Alex, I’ve sent the quote for the switchboard work. Let me know if it does not come through.” |
| A few days later | Invite questions | “Have you had a chance to look over the scope? Happy to explain any part of it.” |
| When availability changes | Give a real next step | “I have a spot available next Wednesday if you would like me to hold it.” |
| Final check | Close the loop | “No stress if the job is on hold. Let me know when the timing is clearer.” |
What should you avoid saying?
Avoid messages that make the customer defend themselves. “Why haven’t you accepted?” and “Are you going with someone cheaper?” sound like pressure, even if you are only looking for information.
Do not manufacture urgency. If a genuine price expiry or availability limit exists, explain it plainly. If it does not, do not invent one. Trust is worth more than one forced decision.
Should you call, text or email?
Use the customer's preferred channel. A short SMS works well when the message is simply a check-in or a link to the quote. A phone call is better when there are choices to discuss, a scope risk to explain or a site condition that could change the price.
If you call and do not get through, leave a useful voicemail and send a short message. Give the customer a reason to return the call, not just evidence that you tried.
How do you know whether follow-up is working?
Track the basics: quote sent, opened if available, last contact, next action and outcome. Look for stalled quotes rather than chasing every quote in the same way. A quote with an open question needs a conversation. A quote that has not been opened may need a resend. A quote with a declined outcome should be recorded so you do not keep nudging it.
TradeStream can keep the follow-up steps running after a lead arrives, with customer intake, a professional quote and polite chasing in one workflow. See the live demo at tradestream.com.au.
Internal link suggestion: Link to Customer Has Not Replied to My Quote: What Should I Do?.
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I follow up a quote?
Check that the customer received it after a short interval, then follow up again a few days later with a useful question or available start date.
What makes a quote follow-up pushy?
Repeated messages that demand a decision, create false urgency or ignore questions feel pushy. Helpful follow-up gives context and an easy next step.
Should I follow up by phone or SMS?
Use the channel the customer used and the channel they agreed to. SMS suits a short check-in, while a call is better for discussion.