How to Follow Up Plumbing Quotes Without Being Pushy
Why Customers Go Silent
When a customer doesn't respond to your quote, it usually means:
- They're busy and forgot (most common — 50%)
- They're waiting for other quotes to compare (30%)
- The price was higher than expected and they need to think (15%)
- They decided not to do the work right now (5%)
Notice: only 5% have actually said no. The other 95% are still potential jobs.
The Follow-Up Timeline
| When | Method | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Day 3 | Text message | Casual check-in |
| Day 7 | Phone call | Helpful, offer to answer questions |
| Day 14 | Final text | Closing — "still interested?" |
Copy-Paste Scripts
Day 3 — Text:
"Hi [Name], just checking you received the quote I sent through for the [job]. Happy to answer any questions or adjust anything. No rush — just let me know when you'd like to go ahead. Cheers, [Your name]"
Day 7 — Phone Call Script:
"Hey [Name], it's [Your name] — the plumber who came out last week for the [job]. Just following up on the quote. Did you have any questions about it? ... [If price concern]: I can look at a few options to bring the cost down if budget's tight. [If timing]: No worries, when were you thinking of getting it done? I'll pencil you in."
Day 14 — Final Text:
"Hi [Name], last follow-up from me on the [job] quote. If you'd like to go ahead, I've got availability next week. If you've decided to hold off, no worries at all — just let me know and I'll close it off. Cheers!"
What NOT to Do
- Don't follow up more than 3 times (you'll annoy them)
- Don't be passive-aggressive ("I guess you went with someone else...")
- Don't discount without being asked (devalues your work)
- Don't call at 7am or after 6pm
- Don't take it personally — it's business
Track Your Win Rate
If you're sending 10 quotes a week and winning 3, that's a 30% conversion rate. Industry average for plumbers is 25-40%. If you're below 25%, your pricing or presentation needs work. If you're above 40%, you might be undercharging.
TradeDesk tracks your quote status (pending, accepted, declined) so you always know your conversion rate. Try it free for 21 days.