Quote Follow Up for Tradies: How to Win More of Your Quotes

Quick answer

How do you follow up on a quote without being pushy?

Following up a quote works best as a short, planned sequence: send it the same day, call on day 2, add something useful on day 5, ask for a decision on day 10 and close the loop on day 30. A 2025 survey of US contractors by vendor ServiceTitan found following up unsold estimates added 1 to 15% revenue for many businesses.

Key takeaways

In Jobber's 2026 survey of US home service owners, 69% said they win more than half their quotes.
Owners in that vendor survey believe customers choose on price (62%), reviews (51%) and response speed (25%).
A strong quote arrives fast with photos, options, clear inclusions and your licence number.
In NSW, work from $5,000 up to $20,000 needs a small jobs contract, and over $20,000 a full contract and home building compensation insurance.
No credible figure exists for how many quotes are never followed up.

How many quotes should you expect to win?

There is no Australian benchmark, but a 2026 Jobber survey of US home service business owners found 69% win more than half the quotes they send. Jobber, which sells job management software, surveyed 1,050 US owners in December 2025. Treat it as a yardstick, not a target, because your win rate depends on your trade, your prices and how many tyre kickers you quote for.

You may have seen confident statistics about how many tradies never follow up their quotes. None of them trace back to a credible source, so treat them with suspicion. What is clear is that a quote with no follow up leaves the decision entirely to the customer and whoever calls them next.

What makes a customer choose one quote over another?

Price matters most in owners' eyes, but reviews and speed sit close behind, according to the same Jobber survey. US owners said customers choose on price (62%), reviews (51%) and response speed (25%), and believe over 55% of customers expect a response within the hour.

Older research agrees on speed. Harvard Business Review's 2011 analysis of 1.25 million US sales leads found businesses that tried to contact a web lead within an hour were nearly 7 times as likely to qualify it as those that waited even an hour longer. If calls slip through while you are on site, an AI receptionist can catch them.

How do you write a quote that wins the job?

A winning quote is fast, clear and easy to say yes to, with photos, options and every inclusion spelled out.

Speed: send it the same day where you can, while your visit is fresh.
Photos: show the problem you found and a similar finished job.
Options: repair, replace, or replace and upgrade, so the choice becomes which one, not whether.
Inclusions and exclusions: what is in, what is extra, and who handles rubbish, making good and permits.
Your licence number, which NSW already requires on home building contracts and building trade ads.
A validity date, payment terms and one simple way to accept.
A link to your Google reviews. This guide to getting more reviews helps you build them.

When should you follow up on a quote?

Follow up on a quote the same day, then on days 2, 5, 10 and 30, switching between phone, text and email so it never feels like nagging.

A quote follow up timeline: when, how and what to say

When	Channel	What to say
Same day	Email with the quote, plus a short SMS	"Hi [name], it's [your name] from [business]. Your quote is in your inbox, happy to talk it through."
Day 2	Phone call	Check it arrived, answer questions, and ask what matters most: price, timing or finish.
Day 5	SMS or email	Something useful: a photo of a similar job or your next start date.
Day 10	Phone, then SMS if no answer	"Still weighing it up, or gone another way? Either is fine, I just want to plan my diary."
Day 30	Email	Close the loop politely, note when the quote expires, and ask to check in later.

Does following up on quotes actually bring in more money?

Yes, following up unsold quotes adds revenue for many businesses, according to a 2025 survey of US contractors by software vendor ServiceTitan. Its Thrive Analytics poll of more than 1,000 US contractors found follow up on unsold estimates brought in 1 to 15% extra revenue for 39% of thriving, 42% of surviving and 23% of struggling businesses. Among contractors turning over more than 10 million US dollars, 47% said it brings in 11 to 15% of income.

The figures are self reported and from the US, so treat them as direction, not a promise. To see how your enquiry handling rates overall, try the free 15 second lead score quiz.

What contract rules apply once the customer says yes?

In NSW, residential building work from $5,000 up to $20,000 needs a small jobs contract, and work over $20,000 needs a full contract plus home building compensation insurance. The NSW Government's guide also caps deposits at 10%, and contracts must show the licence name and number.

Other states differ. In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 needs a QBCC licence, and in Victoria builders must be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission for work over $10,000. Victoria's First Resort Home Warranty Scheme began on 1 July 2026 for contracts of $20,000 or more. Check with your state regulator before sending a contract, and see the guide for builders for more.

Can you text and email quote follow ups under the Spam Act?

You can text and email quote follow ups when the customer has consented, each message names your business with contact details, and there is a free way to opt out. ACMA says consent can be express or inferred from an existing relationship where the message is directly relevant. A customer who asked you for a quote has a relationship with you, but read ACMA's guidance if you are unsure.

Action unsubscribe requests within 5 working days, and be careful about adding sales extras: ACMA's 2026 action against Lululemon showed promotional content inside service emails can make them commercial messages that need an unsubscribe. If someone asks you to stop, stop.

Frequently asked questions

How many times should you follow up on a quote?

Four or five contacts over about a month is a sensible rhythm for most trade quotes, mixing calls, texts and email. Stop as soon as the customer says no or asks you to stop, and note the reason so your next quote improves.

What should I say when following up on a quote?

Keep it short and helpful. Ask if they have questions, offer to walk them through the options, and give a clear next step such as a start date. Skip pressure lines and fake deadlines, because customers see through them and they damage trust.

Why do customers go quiet after getting a quote?

Often life gets in the way, they are waiting on other quotes, or the price surprised them. A friendly call on day 2 usually brings out the real reason, and a quote with options gives them a cheaper path without walking away from you.

How long should a quote be valid for?

Set an expiry date that matches how quickly your material and labour costs move, and print it clearly on the quote. A clear expiry gives you a natural reason to follow up and protects you if supplier prices rise before the customer decides.

Should I follow up if the customer chose someone else?

Yes, once and politely. Thank them, ask what tipped the decision, and wish them well with the job. That answer sharpens your next quote, and customers remember a tradie who took it well when they need work done next time.

Lead guides by trade

More lead guides

Start from the overview: marketing for tradies and service businesses.

Sources

Sources checked on 6 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so confirm anything legal with the regulator in your state.

Quote follow up: how tradies win more of the quotes they send