How to Follow Up on a Quote Without Being Pushy
· 4 min read
You've done the site visit, built the quote, and sent it off. Now you're waiting. A day passes. Then two. Then a week. Do you chase it up, or does that seem desperate? The answer is: absolutely follow up — but do it in a way that feels helpful rather than pestering.
Why following up matters
Most clients are busy. They've requested three quotes, they've got work on, kids to manage, and a hundred other things on their mind. Your quote sitting in their inbox doesn't mean they're not interested — it often just means they haven't had a chance to sit down and review it properly. A timely follow-up reminds them you exist, shows you're organised, and gives them a natural opportunity to ask questions or move forward.
When to follow up
For most jobs, the right time to follow up is 2–3 business days after sending the quote. Any sooner and it can feel pressured; much longer and the client may have already gone with someone else. For larger, more complex quotes where the client mentioned they were deciding between multiple options, giving them 4–5 days before following up is reasonable. If you used instanttradequote to send the quote, you can see when it was opened — which takes the guesswork out of timing your follow-up.
What to say
Keep it short, friendly, and low-pressure. You're not chasing a debt — you're checking in. A simple message works well: "Hi [Name], just wanted to make sure you received the quote I sent through on [date]. Happy to answer any questions or talk through anything if it's helpful. No rush at all — just let me know either way." That last line — "let me know either way" — is important. It signals that you're fine if they go with someone else, which paradoxically makes people more likely to get back to you.
Use email or text depending on the client
For clients you've spoken to on the phone and have a warm relationship with, a text follow-up feels natural. For more formal clients or larger commercial jobs, email is more appropriate. Match the channel to the relationship.
What to do if they still don't respond
If you've followed up once and still haven't heard back after another week, one more message is fine: "Hi [Name], just following up one last time on the quote for [job]. Let me know if you'd like to proceed or if you've decided to go another way — happy either way." That's it. Two follow-ups is sufficient. Continuing to chase after that crosses from professional into annoying, and it won't change the outcome.
When to move on
Not every quote will convert, and that's completely normal. If a client hasn't responded after two follow-ups over two weeks, mark the quote as lost in your system and move on. Your time is better spent on clients who are ready to commit. The win rate you should be aiming for depends on your trade and the size of jobs, but somewhere between 40–60% on quotes you genuinely want is healthy.
Following up is part of the job, not a sign of weakness. A brief, confident check-in after a few days shows the client you're reliable and interested — exactly the qualities they're looking for in a tradesperson they're about to trust with their home or business.