How to Follow Up on a Quote Without Being Pushy (With Templates)
You spent an hour on the quote, sent it, and heard nothing. Most business owners send one polite email, feel awkward, and let it drop. The job then goes to whoever followed up.
To follow up on a quote, send a short message 1 to 2 days after it goes out, a second on day 5, and a final one around day 10. Each message should ask one easy question (“Any questions on the price?” or “Shall I hold Tuesday for you?”), not just “checking in”. Use the channel the customer used to contact you, and stop after three tries unless they reply. Below are copy-paste messages for each step.
At a glance
- Time: 2 minutes per message once your templates are saved
- Cost: free
- Best channel: the one they used to reach you (text, WhatsApp or email)
- You’ll get: a follow-up schedule and 9 ready-made messages
When should you follow up on a quote?
Follow up within 48 hours, while the customer still remembers you. Advice from the big field-service software firms lines up here: Jobber suggests 2 to 3 days after the quote, and Housecall Pro suggests 24 to 48 hours, then a second message 4 to 5 days later and a final nudge about a week after that.
Here is the schedule we recommend. It works for a plumber’s repair quote as well as a law firm’s fee estimate.
| When | What to send | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 (with the quote) | The quote plus “When are you hoping to decide?” | Get a decision date |
| Day 1 to 2 | Short text or WhatsApp | Check it arrived, invite questions |
| Day 5 | Something useful: an answer, an option, a date | Remove the reason they’re stuck |
| Day 10 | A polite “closing the file” message | Get a yes, a no, or a later |
| 60 to 90 days | One friendly check-in | Catch people who delayed |
If they told you a decision date, follow their date instead. A dental patient who said “after payday” doesn’t need a message on day 2.
Which channel should you use?
Use the channel they chose. If they messaged on WhatsApp, follow up on WhatsApp. If a solicitor’s enquiry came by email, reply by email. A text or WhatsApp is best for the short day 1 to 2 nudge because it’s quick to read and reply to. Save phone calls for bigger jobs or customers who prefer to talk.
Worth knowing: In many countries you need the customer’s permission before sending marketing texts. A customer who asked you for a quote has usually started that conversation, but keep your messages about their quote, not general promotions.
Copy-paste quote follow-up messages
Swap the [brackets] for your details. Each message is short and ends with one easy question.
Send with the quote (day 0)
Email or message · Any business
Hi [name], here’s your quote for [job/service]: [link]. It’s valid until [date]. When are you hoping to make a decision? I’m happy to talk it through if anything needs explaining.
First follow-up (day 1 to 2)
Text or WhatsApp · Home services
Hi [name], it’s [your name] from [business]. Just making sure the quote for [job] reached you. Any questions on it? I can answer here.
Email · Law firm, accountant or agency
Subject: Your [service] estimate
Hi [name], I wanted to check the fee estimate I sent on [day] reached you. If it would help, I can explain what’s included in a 10-minute call. Would [day] or [day] suit you?
Second follow-up (day 5)
This one adds something new. Answer a likely worry, offer an option, or give a real date.
Text or WhatsApp · Availability
Hi [name], I’ve got an opening on [day] for the [job] if you’d like to go ahead. Want me to hold it for you until [day]?
Email · Clinic treatment plan
Hi [name], following up on your [treatment] plan. Patients often ask about spreading the cost, so I’ve attached our payment options. Would you like me to book a quick call with [clinician] to go through it?
Final follow-up (day 10)
Any channel · Closing the file
Hi [name], I haven’t heard back, so I’ll assume the timing isn’t right and close this quote for now. If you’d like to go ahead later, just reply here and I’ll pick it up. Thanks for considering us.
This message gets more replies than you’d expect, because it’s easy to answer. People reply “sorry, still keen, just busy”, or they tell you no. Both are better than silence.
When they say it’s too expensive
Any channel · Price objection
Thanks for being straight with me, [name]. Can I ask what you were hoping to spend? Sometimes we can adjust the scope, for example [cheaper option], so it fits your budget.
Voicemail script
Phone · Voicemail
Hi [name], it’s [your name] from [business] about your quote for [job]. No rush, I just wanted to see if you had any questions. I’ll send you a quick text too, so you can reply whenever suits. Thanks.
Check-in after 60 to 90 days
Any channel · Old quote
Hi [name], [your name] from [business] here. A while back we quoted for [job]. Is that still something you’re planning? Happy to update the quote if anything has changed.
Shortcut: Put a WhatsApp button on your quote so customers can reply with one tap. Our free WhatsApp Link Generator makes a link with a ready-made message such as “Hi, I’d like to go ahead with quote [number]”.
What to say vs what to avoid
| Instead of | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “Just checking in” | “Any questions on the price?” | A question gets a reply. A check-in gets ignored. |
| “Have you made a decision yet?” | “Shall I hold Tuesday for you?” | Makes saying yes easy. |
| A discount in the first follow-up | An option with a different scope | Protects your price and solves the real problem. |
| Five messages in a week | Three messages over ten days | Persistent without being annoying. |
What most guides leave out
Most quote follow-up guides come from software companies for tradespeople, so they focus on the messages. Three things matter just as much.
1. The best follow-up starts before you send the quote. Ask “When are you hoping to decide?” and “Who else needs to see this?” when you quote. A homeowner whose partner needs to approve the job needs a different follow-up from one who’s ready to book.
2. Speed of the quote matters more than the follow-up. A quote that arrives the same day often beats a cheaper one that arrives next week. If your quotes take days, fix that first. The same goes for answering the first enquiry, which is why missed call text back and a WhatsApp auto reply pay off.
3. You need a list, not a memory. Follow-ups fail because nobody remembers whose turn it is. Keep a simple list of open quotes with the date sent and the next follow-up date. A spreadsheet, a CRM or labels in WhatsApp Business all work. Many quoting tools, Jobber and Housecall Pro among them, can also send reminders automatically.
Watch out: Don’t let “closing the file” become a bluff. If you say you’re closing the quote, actually stop messaging until they reply or your 60 to 90 day check-in comes round.
FAQ
How soon should I follow up on a quote?
Within 1 to 2 days. Jobber suggests 2 to 3 days and Housecall Pro suggests 24 to 48 hours. Sooner is better for urgent jobs like a leaking roof, and later is fine if the customer gave you a decision date.
How many times should you follow up on a quote?
Three times over about ten days, then one check-in after two or three months. More than that starts to feel like pressure, and fewer means you give up on people who were just busy.
Is it OK to follow up on a quote by text or WhatsApp?
Yes, especially if the customer contacted you that way. Keep it short and about their quote. If they only used email, start with email and ask whether a text is easier.
What do I say if the customer says the quote is too high?
Thank them, ask what they were hoping to spend, and offer a smaller scope or a payment plan if you can. Avoid cutting your price straight away, as it suggests the first price wasn’t real.
How do I follow up on a quote politely?
Use their name, mention the specific job, keep it to two or three sentences and ask one easy question. Polite and persistent go together.
Should I automate quote follow-ups?
Automating the reminders is worth it once you send more than a few quotes a week. Write the messages yourself so they sound like you, and reply personally as soon as someone answers.
Sources
Timing advice comes from Jobber’s guide to following up on quotes and Housecall Pro’s quote follow-up guide, both checked October 2026. The schedule and templates are our own. For setting up reply links, see our guide to creating a WhatsApp link with a message.
Last updated: October 2026
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