What to say when a customer ghosts your quote
You send a quote. Nothing. A week goes by. Here are 3 follow-up messages that actually get responses — without sounding desperate or pushy.
The silence after the quote
You spent an hour doing the survey. You worked out the price carefully. You sent a professional quote.
Nothing.
Three days. Five days. A week.
This happens to every tradesperson. And most handle it wrong — either they never follow up (and lose the job), or they follow up in a way that sounds desperate.
Here are three follow-up messages that work.
Message 1 — The simple check in (day 4)
Short, no pressure, assumes the best:
"Hi Mrs Clarke, just checking you received the quote I sent over on Monday for the bathroom renovation. Happy to answer any questions or go through anything in more detail. Mike"
This works because it gives the customer an easy out — maybe they did not receive it. It prompts a reply without any pressure.
Message 2 — The value reminder (day 8)
Still friendly, but adds a gentle nudge:
"Hi Mrs Clarke, following up on the quote for your bathroom renovation. We have availability starting in the next 3 weeks if you would like to get booked in. Happy to chat through any questions — sometimes it helps to talk it through. Mike Johnson, MJ Plumbing"
This message adds a small urgency (availability) and an offer to talk, which often converts undecided customers.
Message 3 — The closing message (day 14)
Final follow up. Clear, no pressure, leaves the door open:
"Hi Mrs Clarke, last follow up on the bathroom quote — I do not want to keep pestering you. If you have decided to go a different direction that is completely fine and I wish you well with the project. If you are still considering it or would like to revisit the quote at any point, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Kind regards, Mike Johnson"
This message closes the loop professionally. It often gets a response because it removes all pressure — and sometimes even converts people who had already decided to go elsewhere.
How Drafted helps
Drafted generates all three follow-up messages for you. Tell it the customer name and job details — it writes the sequence in seconds.
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Drafted writes professional quotes, invoices and replies for UK tradespeople — free to download.
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