How to follow up on a quote.When to ring, and what to say.
Updated 13 October 2026 · 5 minute read
Short answer
Follow up on a quote within two or three days of sending it, ideally when the customer has just looked at it again. Keep it short, offer to answer questions, and give one easy next step, such as booking a start date. If you can see when they open the quote, ring then rather than on a fixed schedule.
Why following up matters
Customers rarely say no. They go quiet, usually because they are comparing quotes, waiting to talk to a partner, or simply busy. A polite follow up at the right moment keeps your quote in front of them while they decide.
When to follow up
- Same day: a short text to say the quote has been sent and where to find it.
- Two or three days later: a call or text to ask if they have any questions.
- About a week later: one more message with a reason to decide, such as a start date you can hold.
- After that, a final message asking whether to keep the quote open. Then stop.
Follow up text you can copy
- Hi Sarah, it is Dave from Tyneside Heating. Just checking the boiler quote came through OK. Happy to talk it through if anything is unclear.
- Hi Sarah, I have a gap from the 14th if you want to go ahead with the boiler. Want me to pencil you in?
- Hi Sarah, shall I keep your quote open for a few more weeks, or have you gone another way? Either is fine, it just helps me plan.
Follow up email you can copy
Subject: Your quote for the bathroom refit. Hi Sarah, thanks again for showing me round. I wanted to check the quote reached you and see if you had any questions about the work or the price. If it helps, I can start on the 14th and the job will take about seven working days. Just reply here or ring me on the number below. Thanks, Dave.
Follow up when they are looking, not on a timer
The best moment to ring is when the customer is reading your quote. Upheld shows you when they open it and how much of the video they watch. If they come back to it several times, often in the evening with a partner, it flags a hot lead and suggests what to say, so you ring while they are deciding.
Common questions
How long should I wait to follow up on a quote?
Two or three days is a good first follow up. Sooner if you can see the customer has opened it and watched it.
How many times should I follow up?
Two or three times over a couple of weeks, then ask whether to keep the quote open. More than that starts to feel like pressure.
Is it better to call or text?
Text first, because it is easy to reply to. Call when the customer is engaged, or for larger jobs where a conversation will answer their questions faster.
Read next
How to write a quote for a job (UK guide for trades)
What to put in a quote for a job in the UK: your details, the scope, itemised prices, VAT, validity, deposit and cancellation rights. With a checklist and an example.
Free quote template for tradesmen (UK)
A free quote template for UK tradesmen and builders. Copy the layout, the wording and the terms, or let Upheld fill it in from a two minute voice note.
Deposits for building work: how much to ask for (UK)
How much deposit a UK builder or trade can ask for, what the law says, what consumer advice tells homeowners, and how to take a deposit without putting the customer off.
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