How to follow up quotes and win more jobs
You’ve been out to site, measured up, done the quote at night and sent it off. Then nothing. Most tradies leave it there. That silence is one of the biggest sources of lost work in a trade business.
Why clients go quiet
Silence usually doesn’t mean no. Clients get busy, wait on another quote, have a question they haven’t asked, or simply forget. The tradie who checks in politely is often the one who gets the job.
When to follow up
A simple rhythm works for most trades:
- A couple of days after sending: check it arrived and ask if they have questions
- About a week later: a short, friendly nudge
- A couple of weeks later: one last check before you close it off
Three touches is enough. Any more starts to feel like pressure.
What to say
Keep it short and helpful, not pushy. Something like: “Just checking the quote came through okay. Happy to run through anything or tweak the scope if it helps.” It opens the door without asking for a decision.
A phone call often works better than a text, especially on bigger jobs. Clients remember a voice.
Track every quote
You can’t follow up what you can’t see. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a whiteboard or job management software, keep a list of every open quote, the date it was sent and when you last followed up. Then set aside time each week to work through it.
Learn from the ones you lose
When a client says no, ask why. Price, timing, gut feel? The answers tell you more about your business than any number of wins.
Following up is one small part of a proper sales process. We help tradies build the whole thing, so good leads stop slipping through the cracks.
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Speak to your accountant or adviser about your own situation.