The best follow-up text after a quote is short, friendly and gives the customer an easy reason to reply. Something like "Hi Dana, did the quote I sent make sense? Happy to adjust anything." works better than "Just checking in!" because it invites a real answer instead of a yes or no.
Below are 12 templates, grouped by when to send them, plus a schedule and a few rules that keep follow-up from feeling pushy. They're written for text, but they work just as well by email. Change the names, prices and details to match your business.
Why quotes go quiet
A quote with no answer is rarely a no. Usually the customer is busy, comparing you with one or two others, waiting on someone else to weigh in, or stuck on a question they didn't ask. Each template below targets one of those reasons.
The schedule
- Same day: confirm they got it
- Day 1: offer to answer questions
- Day 3: remove the likely objection
- Day 5 to 7: share honest availability
- Day 10 to 14: a last, friendly note, then stop
Stop the moment they reply, and text during business hours in their time zone. If you want the reasoning behind this timing, read why leads go cold.
Same day: confirm they got it
1. The receipt. Quotes sent by email often land in spam or a promotions tab. A text makes sure they actually saw it.
Hi Marcus, I just emailed your quote for the patio, $4,800 all in. Let me know if it didn't come through and I'll text it over.
2. The one-line summary. Put the number and what's included in the text itself, so they don't have to open anything.
Hi Tasha, here's your quote: full interior and exterior detail with ceramic spray, $289. Takes about 4 hours and we come to you. Want me to hold Saturday morning?
Day 1: offer to answer questions
3. The open door.
Hi Marcus, did the quote make sense? Happy to walk through any part of it or adjust the scope.
4. The partner check. Big purchases are often shared decisions. This gives them a reason to come back after they talk.
Hi Priya, if it helps to share the details with your fiance, I can send a one-page summary you can forward. Want me to?
Day 3: remove the likely objection
Think about the question most customers ask right before they book, and answer it before they have to.
5. How payment works.
Hi Dana, quick note on payment: a 25% deposit holds your date and the rest is due on the day. No charge until you approve the final design.
6. What's included.
Hi Marcus, one thing I didn't mention: the price includes hauling away the old pavers and a two-year workmanship guarantee.
7. The smaller option. If price is the issue, give them a way to say yes without negotiating.
Hi Tasha, if the full detail is more than you need right now, our interior-only package is $149 and still includes the shampoo. Happy to switch it.
Day 5 to 7: share honest availability
8. The calendar update. Only send this if it's true. Fake urgency gets noticed, and it costs you trust you can't get back.
Hi Dana, Saturday the 14th still has one opening. Want me to pencil you in while you decide?
9. The timing question. Sometimes the answer is just "not yet." Find out when.
Hi Marcus, totally fine if the timing isn't right. Are you thinking this spring or later in the year? I'll check back then instead.
Day 10 to 14: the last note
10. The easy out. Giving permission to say no often gets a reply, and a clear no is better than a maybe that never ends.
Hi Priya, I don't want to keep bugging you. Should I close this out, or keep your date on hold a little longer?
11. The door left open.
Hi Tasha, I'll stop following up here. If you ever want that detail, just reply to this text and I'll get you on the calendar.
When they say it's too expensive
12. Ask before you discount. "Too expensive" usually means "more than I expected" or "more than the other quote." Find out which before you cut your price.
Totally understand. Can I ask what you were hoping to spend? If there's a version of this that fits, I'll put it together.
If another company quoted less, ask what their quote includes. Customers often compare a full job with a partial one. If you do lower the price, take something out of the scope rather than just dropping the number.
Rules that keep it from being annoying
- Only text people who gave you their number and agreed to hear from you, and honor STOP right away.
- One message at a time. Never send a follow-up if they've already replied.
- Keep each text short enough to read in the notification.
- Every message should add something: an answer, an option or a date. "Just checking in" alone doesn't.
- Five messages is plenty. After that, stop until they come back.
Making it happen every time
The schedule above isn't hard. The hard part is doing it for every quote, every week, while you're also doing the work. Most owners send the first follow-up and forget the rest.
Jason sends quotes and follows up on a schedule you approve, stops the moment someone replies and picks the conversation up from there. See automated lead follow-up, or how it works for home service businesses and auto detailers.