You sent the quote and heard nothing. Copy one of these, change the highlighted details, and send it. Short, polite, and about the job.
Practical notes for UK tradespeople. Not legal advice.
A quiet quote usually means the customer is on another job, comparing a second price, or waiting on someone at home. Give them one thing to answer.
Count weekdays from the day after you send. A quote sent on a Monday is followed up on Thursday (day 3), the Wednesday of the next week (day 7) and the Wednesday after that (day 12). A quote sent on a Thursday is followed up on the following Tuesday (day 3), the Monday after that (day 7) and the Monday after that (day 12). Send one note on each of those days, then leave it.
Swap the highlighted words for the real job: the customer's name, your quote number, the date you sent it, the address, and your own name, phone and business where they show. 07700 900123 is not a working line. Leave the rest of the wording. A short note is easier to answer than a second visit written out in full.
Every message names the quote number and date from your quote. Add a number before the first chase if the quote does not have one yet. The customer should be able to find the PDF from the message alone.
Use email when the quote went out as a PDF. Keep the quote number in the subject so the thread is easy to pick out later. Ask one thing. When the price or the work has to change, change the quote and send the new PDF. A new figure written only in the email is easy to lose.
The day 3 email checks that the quote arrived and that the lines make sense. Day 7 asks about the question they have been sitting on, and it offers a plain way to say yes. Day 12 names the date the price stands until, and it says this is the last note.
Subject: Your quote Q-104 for the bathroom refit
Hi Sarah,
I sent over quote Q-104 for the bathroom refit at 14 Elm Road on Monday 12 October. I wanted to check it arrived and that it all makes sense.
If anything is unclear, or you would like a line changed, just reply and I will sort it.
Thanks,
Dan
Dan Price Plumbing, 07700 900123
Change: name, quote number, date, job, phone, business name
Subject: Quote Q-104: any questions?
Hi Sarah,
Just following up on quote Q-104 for the bathroom refit. People often have a question about one line or about timing. If that is you, reply here or call me on 07700 900123.
If you want to go ahead, reply "go ahead" and I will send over start dates.
Thanks,
Dan
Change: name, quote number, job, phone
Subject: Quote Q-104: last check from me
Hi Sarah,
This is my last check on quote Q-104 for the bathroom refit, so I will not keep chasing you. The quote is valid until 11 November.
If the timing is not right or you have gone another way, no problem at all. A one-line reply helps me plan my diary.
Thanks,
Dan
Change: name, quote number, date, job
Use a text when you already have their mobile and they can place the job without the PDF open. Each note below stays within 160 characters, spaces included, so it sends as one text. Days 3, 7 and 12 match the emails, and the day 12 text is the last.
Hi Sarah, Dan here. Did quote Q-104 for the bathroom at 14 Elm Road come through OK? Happy to answer any questions.
Change: name, quote number, job
115 characters
Hi Sarah, any questions on quote Q-104? If you want to go ahead, reply YES and I'll send start dates. Dan
Change: name, quote number
105 characters
Hi Sarah, last check from me on quote Q-104. It's valid until 11 Nov. No problem if you've gone another way. Dan
Change: name, quote number, date
112 characters
On WhatsApp you can attach the PDF again, which helps when the email has been buried. The wording can be a little warmer. Keep one purpose in each note. If they want a line changed, update the quote and send the file. A price agreed only in the chat is hard to find later.
Hi Sarah, it's Dan from Dan Price Plumbing. Just checking the quote for the bathroom refit came through OK (Q-104, sent Monday). I've attached it again here in case it got buried. Any questions, just message me.
Change: name, quote number, date, job, business name
Morning Sarah, any questions on the bathroom quote? Happy to talk through any line, or the dates. If you'd like to go ahead, just say and I'll send a start date.
Change: name, job
Hi Sarah, last nudge from me on Q-104, I won't keep messaging. The quote is valid until 11 November. A quick yes, no or not yet would really help me plan.
Change: name, quote number, date
These cover a job that has already moved past silence: a choice still open after the visit, a customer who asked for time, a quote close to its end date, or a no. If the day 12 message has already gone, wait until they write back before you send one of these.
Name the decision you are waiting on. In the example the tiles stay an allowance until they pick one. When they reply, update that line and send the quote again.
Hi Sarah, thanks for showing me round on Monday. Quote Q-104 is with you. The one thing I need from you is the tile choice, as that line is priced as an allowance until you pick. Let me know and I will update it.
Change: name, quote number, date
They asked for time. Tell them the date the price stands until. Offer two stages, or one line taken out, only when you can actually do that on this job.
Hi Sarah, no rush on quote Q-104. So you know, it is valid until 11 November. If it helps, I can split the job into two stages or take a line out. Just say which.
Change: name, quote number, date
Send this while the date is still ahead. After the date, recheck material prices and send a fresh quote if they still want the work.
Hi Sarah, quick note that quote Q-104 for the bathroom refit is valid until 11 November. After that I would need to recheck material prices before booking. Let me know if you would like to go ahead before then.
Change: name, quote number, date, job
Thank them in one or two lines and stop. The note closes this job. It leaves your number with them for a later one.
Thanks for letting me know, Sarah, I appreciate it. Good luck with the bathroom. If anything comes up in future, you have my number.
Change: name, job
After the third message, stop chasing. If they come back later, check the valid-until date on the quote first and reprice if it has passed.
The guide sets out why three and then stop.
The app reminds you on working days 3, 7 and 12 after the quote is sent, then stops. Each reminder has the follow-up message already written. Quotes are valid for 30 days by default, and you can change the date. Speech recognition runs on your iPhone, and there is no account to create.
First 3 quotes free, with no watermark. Then £22.99 a month or £179.99 a year through the App Store.
Get Quotebefore on the App Store
Builder, plumber and electrician quotes use the same follow-up notes. The layout of the quote changes with the trade. The message still names the quote number and the job.