Key points
- Most quiet customers haven't said no. They've just been busy.
- Chase at 2–3 days, about a week, and two weeks.
- Ask one easy question, not "have you decided?"
- Use a text for the nudge and an email for the detail.
- Make the next step obvious: a date, a slot, a yes.
- Set it up once, so it happens on every quote.
Why quotes go quiet
You sent the quote. You heard nothing. It’s tempting to read that as a no. Usually it isn’t. The customer got busy, forgot, or has a question they haven’t got round to asking.
That’s why a follow-up works. You’re not pressuring anyone. You’re making it easy for them to say yes, or to tell you what’s stopping them.
When to follow up: a simple timetable
| When | How | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Straight away | Email with the quote, plus a short text | So they know it’s arrived |
| 2–3 days later | Text | A quick nudge and an easy question |
| About a week later | Email or call | Answer questions, offer a start date |
| Around two weeks | Text | A friendly last check before you close the file |
What to say: templates you can copy
When you send it
Hi Sam, it’s Dave from [business]. Your quote for the bathroom’s just gone to your email. Any questions, just reply here.
First follow-up (2–3 days)
Hi Sam, just checking the quote came through OK. Is there anything on it you’d like me to explain?
Second follow-up (about a week)
Hi Sam, I’ve got a gap from the 14th if you wanted to get the bathroom booked in. Happy to go through the quote on the phone if that’s easier.
Last follow-up (around two weeks)
Hi Sam, I’ll close the file on your quote for now so I’m not filling up your phone. If you want to pick it back up, just reply and I’ll sort it.
Notice what they have in common. They’re short, they ask one easy question, and they give a clear next step. None of them ask “have you decided yet?”
What not to do
- Don’t send an essay. Two to four sentences. If they can’t read it between jobs, it won’t get read.
- Don’t ask why they haven’t replied. It puts them on the back foot. Ask if they have questions instead.
- Don’t invent urgency. A real start date or a genuine quote expiry is fine. A fake “price goes up Friday” isn’t, and customers can tell.
- Don’t chase forever. After three follow-ups, send the “closing the file” message. It often gets the reply the others didn’t.
The real problem: remembering to do it
Everyone knows they should chase quotes. The trouble is doing it on every quote, every week, when you’re busy on the tools or behind the counter. That’s when the follow-ups stop, and the quotes go cold.
That’s what the Quote Chaser fixes. Every quote gets these follow-ups automatically, by text and email, in your name. When there’s still no reply, the right person gets a task to ring. You only pick up the phone for the ones worth calling.
Questions people ask
How soon should I follow up a quote?
Two to three days after you send it. That's long enough for them to have read it, and soon enough that you're still fresh in their mind.
How many times should I chase a quote?
Three is a good rule: at two to three days, about a week, and two weeks. After that, send one friendly "closing the file" message and move on.
Should I text or email?
Both. A text is best for a quick nudge because people see it. An email is better for anything with detail, like a revised price or a start date.
What if they say it's too expensive?
Ask what they're comparing it with. Often it's a different spec, not a cheaper price for the same job, and you can explain the difference.
Is it pushy to chase a quote?
Not if it's short and helpful. Most customers appreciate it, because it shows you're organised and actually want the job.
