You did the visit, measured, priced it and sent the quote. Then nothing. Most contractors send one "just checking in" and move on. The job goes to whoever followed up.
Customers notice who follows up. In a 2025 survey of homeowners who hired a contractor, 39% named prompt follow-up after the visit as what set the winner apart, and 49% named quick, responsive communication (Mantel, 2025, 422 US homeowners). The same homeowners contacted 2.1 contractors on average, so your quote is almost always being compared.
Why customers go quiet after a quote
Silence is rarely a no. Usually it's one of these:
- They're waiting for the other quote to compare.
- They need to talk it over with their partner.
- The number was higher than they hoped and they don't know how to say it.
- They got busy and forgot.
Each of these has an answer. A good follow-up gives them an easy way to tell you which one it is.
A follow-up schedule that works
Here is a simple starting point. Adjust the days to the size of the job: a bathroom moves faster than an addition.
- Same day: send the quote and confirm they got it.
- Day 2: ask if they have questions about anything in it.
- Day 5 to 7: give them one useful detail, like your next open start date.
- Day 14: a last, friendly check that closes the loop.
Stop the moment they answer, yes or no. And keep every open quote in one list with its date, its value and the next step, so none of them slips.
Texts you can copy for each step
Same day
Hi Sophie, it's Marc from Marc Renovation. I just emailed your quote for the bathroom. Can you confirm you got it? Happy to go over it by phone anytime.
Day 2
Hi Sophie, did you get a chance to look at the quote? If anything isn't clear, like the tile or the timeline, just ask and I'll explain.
Day 5 to 7
Hi Sophie, a quick update: I have a start date open on the 24th. If you'd like to hold it, let me know this week. No pressure if you need more time.
Day 14
Hi Sophie, I don't want to bother you, so this is my last follow-up on the bathroom quote. If you went another way, no problem, a quick "no thanks" helps me plan. If you're still thinking, I'm here.
That last text gets answers because it makes "no" easy to say. A clear no is worth more than an open quote you keep wondering about.
Keep every open quote in one place
Follow-up breaks down when quotes live in five places: your email, your truck, a notebook and your head. Pick one list, a spreadsheet is fine, with one row per quote:
- The customer's name and the job.
- The date you sent it and its value.
- The next follow-up date, and what you'll say.
Check it every morning before the first job. The total value of open quotes also tells you how much work is close to signing, which helps you plan your crew.
When the answer is "it's too expensive"
Don't drop the price right away. Ask what part of the job matters most to them, then offer real options:
- Do the job in two phases.
- Swap one material for a less costly one, and say what changes.
- Take out an item they could do themselves, like painting.
A customer who gets options stays in the conversation. One who gets silence or a discount from nowhere starts wondering what the first price was based on.
How to follow up without sounding pushy
- Every message gives something: an answer, a date, a choice. Never just "checking in".
- Use their first name and the name of the job.
- Text for short things, call for real questions. A long negotiation by text goes badly.
- Four touches over two weeks is plenty. After the last one, stop.
Is it okay to text about a quote in Canada?
A quote the customer asked for is exempt from the consent rule of Canada's anti-spam law, but the message must still say who you are, how to reach you and how to opt out (CASL, s. 6(2) and 6(6)(a)). And a customer who asked you for a quote in the last six months has an existing business relationship with you (CASL, s. 10(10)(e)). Add your business name and "Reply STOP to opt out" to your texts and you're covered. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions contractors ask
How long should I wait before following up on a quote?
Confirm it arrived the same day, then follow up two days later. Waiting a week lets the other contractor get there first.
How many times should I follow up?
Three or four times over about two weeks, each with a reason. Then one last message that makes it easy to say no.
Email or text?
Send the quote by email so they have the full document. Follow up by text, because texts get read.
Rather not chase quotes by hand? Our follow-up system sends these messages for every quote and stops the moment the customer replies. See your options.