Day 16 of 20 · AI for Trades
Follow-Ups That Win Work
⏱ 5 min
📊 Beginner
Here is a stat that should make you sit up: most tradespeople never follow up after sending a quote. They send the price, then wait. And hope. And when they do not hear back, they assume the customer went with someone cheaper.
Meanwhile, the tradesperson who sends a short, friendly follow-up two days later wins the job — not because they were cheapest, but because they showed they cared. Following up is the single easiest way to convert more quotes into bookings. AI makes writing those messages take about 30 seconds.
Why follow-ups work
When a homeowner requests quotes on Bark, RatedPeople, Thumbtack, or hipages, they typically get three to five responses. That is a lot of information to process. Life gets busy. They put the decision off. Your quote sits in their inbox alongside the others, slowly going cold.
A follow-up message does three things:
It puts you back at the top. Your name reappears in their phone. You are no longer one of five — you are the one who reached out.
It shows professionalism. Most trades do not follow up. The ones who do signal that they run a proper business, they care about the customer, and they will be reliable on the job.
It gives them a nudge. Sometimes people just need a gentle push to make a decision. Your message is that push.
The key is timing and tone. You are not chasing. You are checking in.
Knowledge Check
What is the main reason follow-up messages win more work for tradespeople?
A
They put you back at the top of the customer's mind and show professionalism — at a time when most competitors have gone silent
B
They are required by lead platforms
C
They pressure the customer into saying yes
D
They allow you to lower your price
When five tradespeople quote a job and only one follows up, that person stands out. It is not about pressure — it is about presence. The follow-up says "I'm organised, I care about your project, and I'm ready to get started." That wins jobs.
When and how to follow up
Timing matters. Here is a simple follow-up sequence that works across text, email, and WhatsApp:
Follow-up 1: Two days after quoting. A short, friendly message checking if they have any questions about the quote. Keep it to two or three sentences. No pressure.
Follow-up 2: Five to seven days after quoting. If no response, send a second message. Mention something helpful — "Just a heads up, I have availability next week if you'd like to get this booked in." This creates gentle urgency without being pushy.
Follow-up 3: Two weeks after quoting. A final message. Keep it light. "Hi [Name], just checking in one last time on the bathroom quote. No worries at all if you've gone another direction — happy to help in the future." This closes the loop professionally.
After that, stop. Three messages is enough. Any more and you cross the line from professional to annoying.
I quoted a customer £4,200 for a kitchen renovation three days ago through RatedPeople. Haven't heard back. Can you write me a follow-up sequence — three messages I can send over the next two weeks? Text message style, keep them short and friendly. My name is Dave.
**Message 1 — Send now (Day 3):**
Hi [Name], it's Dave from the kitchen quote. Just checking in to see if you had any questions about the price or the work involved. Happy to pop back round for a quick chat if that helps. No rush at all 👍
**Message 2 — Send on Day 7:**
Hi [Name], Dave here again. Just a quick one — I've got some availability coming up over the next couple of weeks, so if you'd like to get the kitchen booked in, now would be a good time. Let me know either way and I'll keep the slot open for you.
**Message 3 — Send on Day 14:**
Hi [Name], just a final check-in on the kitchen quote. Totally understand if you've decided to go another direction — no hard feelings at all. If anything changes or you need work done in the future, you've got my number. All the best, Dave
**Why this sequence works:**
- Message 1 is helpful, not salesy
- Message 2 creates gentle urgency with the availability mention
- Message 3 closes the loop gracefully and leaves the door open
- All three are short enough to read in 10 seconds
↻ Replay conversation
Follow-up templates for common scenarios
Beyond the standard quote follow-up, here are situations where a quick message wins you work:
After completing a job. "Thanks for having us, [Name]. If you're happy with the work, a quick review on Google or Checkatrade would really help us out. And if anything needs attention down the line, just give us a shout." This earns you reviews and repeat business.
Seasonal check-ins. "Hi [Name], Dave here — I fitted your boiler last winter. Just a reminder that annual services are due around this time. Happy to book you in if you'd like." Repeat work without lifting a finger to find it.
After a no-reply on a lead. Sometimes you buy a lead on Bark or hipages and the customer never responds to your initial message. A second attempt two days later — "Hi, I sent through a message about your plastering job. Just want to make sure it came through okay" — can revive dead leads.
After a customer chooses someone else. "No problem at all. If anything doesn't go to plan or you need work done in the future, I'm a phone call away." Professional, memorable, and you would be surprised how often these people come back.
Knowledge Check
How many follow-up messages should you send after a quote before stopping?
A
Three messages spread over about two weeks — enough to stay visible without crossing into pushy territory
B
Keep sending until they respond
C
None — if they want the work done they will call you
D
Just one — any more is annoying
Three well-timed messages is the sweet spot. The first checks in, the second creates gentle urgency, and the third closes the loop gracefully. After three messages with no response, move on. You have shown professionalism without becoming a nuisance.
A simple three-step follow-up sequence spread over two weeks turns more quotes into confirmed bookings.
Final Check
When is the best time to send your first follow-up after quoting a job?
A
After a month — give them plenty of space
B
About two days later — enough time for the customer to review quotes, but soon enough that you're still fresh in their mind
C
The same day — strike while the iron is hot
D
Only if you see them online on WhatsApp
Two days gives the customer time to read other quotes and think things over. By day two, the initial flurry of quotes has settled and your message stands out. Same-day follow-ups can feel pushy. Waiting too long means they have already made a decision.
💬
Day 16 Complete
"Most tradespeople send a quote and hope for the best. A three-message follow-up sequence takes 90 seconds to set up and can double your conversion rate."
Tomorrow — Day 17
Pricing Strategy with AI
Tomorrow you'll learn how to use AI to research market rates, price jobs competitively, and stop leaving money on the table.