How to follow up a quote without feeling pushy

Chasing an unanswered quote without feeling annoying is one of the trickiest parts of running a one-person trade business in the UK. The secret is to stop thinking of it as a sales call and treat it as a helpful customer service check-in, using clear timing and calm wording.

When is the right time to send your first chase

Sending your first follow-up too early makes you look desperate, while waiting too long means the customer has already forgotten your conversation or hired someone else. For standard domestic jobs like a boiler service or a small plumbing repair, three to four days is usually about right. If you priced up a larger project like a kitchen refit or a full rewire, give them at least a week before you make contact.

Always check your initial paperwork before you reach out. Look at your quoting records to make sure you actually sent the breakdown and that it did not land in their spam folder. A quick system check saves you from sending an awkward message only to find they were waiting on you.

Your first message should assume the customer is simply busy rather than ignoring you on purpose. People get distracted by work, kids and daily life, and a quote often sits at the bottom of a busy pile of household paperwork.

• Small repairs and call-outs: follow up after three or four days.
• Medium jobs like bathroom refits: follow up after five to seven days.
• Large projects like extensions: follow up after seven to ten days.

Exact wording to use when you follow up a quote

Some customers prefer a quick chat on the phone, while others ignore calls from numbers they do not recognise. If you decide to call, keep your opening light and friendly so they do not feel trapped on the spot.

Start by asking if they managed to look over the price you sent over. If they sound hesitant, ask if the price came in higher than they expected or if the scope of work needs tweaking to fit their budget.

If they tell you they are still waiting on other quotes from different tradespeople, do not badmouth your competition. Acknowledge it is a big decision, remind them of your availability, and politely ask when they think they might make a choice.

• Keep your tone relaxed and conversational, not stiff or robotic.
• Give them an easy out if they have changed their mind about the project.
• Never argue about the price if they say you are too expensive.

What to do if they still do not reply after two attempts

If you have sent a message and made a call with no response, send one final polite wrap-up message and then let it go. Chasing a ghost past a reasonable point damages your professional pride and wastes valuable time you could spend on active jobs.

Your final message should close the loop cleanly without sounding bitter or annoyed. Let them know the price is valid for a set period and that they can get back in touch whenever they are ready to proceed with the work.

Sometimes a customer will reply six weeks later apologizing because life got in the way. Keeping your records organised through proper scheduling and customer lists means you can pick up right where you left off if they do come back around.

• Send a final polite note closing the file for now.
• Leave your contact details clear for future reference.
• Move on and focus your energy on finding new enquiries.

Quick questions

Following up quotes does not have to feel awkward if you keep your tone helpful and give people reasonable breathing room. Take a look at your current open estimates today, pick two to send a friendly nudge to, and see how many turn into confirmed work.