how to follow up a quote
How to Follow Up a Quote Without Being Pushy: A UK Tradesman's Guide
Right then, let's talk about the bit of the job most of us would rather skip. You've measured up, you've priced it fair, you've sent the quote off — and then nothing. Silence. And the question that keeps a lot of good tradespeople up at night is this: do I chase it, or do I look desperate?
To my mind, following up isn't pushy at all. Done properly, it's just good service. The customer's busy, they've probably had three quotes land in the same week, and a polite nudge from you might be exactly what tips the job your way. After hundreds of quotes over the years, here's how I go about it without ever feeling like a double-glazing salesman.
When to chase — getting the timing right
Too soon and you look needy; too late and they've already booked the other fella. The sweet spot, in my experience, is two to three working days after you send it. That gives them time to read it, maybe compare it, and have a think — but you're still fresh in their mind.
If you hear nothing after that first nudge, leave it a good week before a second and final attempt. Two follow-ups is plenty. Beyond that you're just chipping away at your own dignity, and there's no need for it.
- First follow-up: 2-3 working days after sending the quote
- Second (and last) follow-up: about a week after the first
- Always count working days — nobody's reading your quote on a Sunday
The right tone and the right channel
Tone is everything here. You're not begging for the work — you're a professional checking they've got what they need. Warm, brief, and helpful does the trick. Never apologise for following up, and never pile on pressure with lines like 'I've only got one slot left' unless it's genuinely true. Customers smell that a mile off.
For channel, a text or WhatsApp is my go-to for most domestic jobs. It's low-pressure, easy for them to reply to, and it doesn't put them on the spot the way a phone call does. Email's fine for bigger or commercial jobs where there's a paper trail. I'd only ring if the job's a big one or they asked me to call — and even then, keep it casual.
What to actually say (with examples)
Keep it short. Reference the job, check they got the quote, and gently open the door. Here are a couple I use, near enough word for word:
- First nudge: 'Hi Sarah, Tom here — just checking you received the quote for the kitchen rewire I sent Tuesday. Happy to talk through any of it if you've got questions. No rush at all.'
- Second nudge: 'Hi Sarah, just following up on that quote. Still keen to help if you'd like to go ahead — and if you've decided to go another way, no worries, just let me know so I can free up the diary. Cheers, Tom.'
That second one does something clever, mind you — it gives them an easy way to say no. Fair play, a polite 'no thanks' is worth far more to you than weeks of wondering. You can close the file and move on.
Handling silence and objections
Sometimes the silence is the answer, and that's alright. But sometimes a follow-up flushes out a real objection — usually price, or timing. If they say you're dearer than another quote, don't just slash your number. Ask what the other quote covers. Nine times out of ten yours includes things theirs doesn't — proper materials, certification, making good. Explain the value calmly and let them decide.
If it's timing — they're not ready yet — that's gold. Pop a note in your diary to check back in a month or two. Plenty of my best jobs were ones that went quiet and came back round when the customer was good and ready.
Knowing when to let it go
After two follow-ups and still nothing, let it lie. No hard feelings, no third message. Leave them with a good taste in their mouth and you'd be surprised how often they ring back six months later when the next job comes up. Pushiness burns that bridge; patience keeps it standing.
One last thing — the easier your quote is to find and reply to, the more follow-ups you'll win. A tidy, professional quote (I knock mine out with Quotato these days) that lands clean on their phone does half the chasing for you. Give it a go and see how you get on.