How do I follow up a quote without being pushy?

Silence after a quote rarely means “no”. More often it means one of these:

• they’re busy, and it slipped down the list;
• they’re waiting on other quotes so they can compare;
• something in the quote wasn’t clear, and asking felt awkward;
• the price was more than they expected, and they don’t know how to say so;
• someone else in the house or business has to agree;
• the timing changed.

A good follow-up makes it easy to reply to any of those. That’s why the best ones ask a simple question rather than push for a decision.

There’s no magic timing, and I won’t pretend there’s a statistic behind this. It’s a pattern that respects people’s time and still keeps you in mind. Adjust it to the size of the job.

1. Same day: send the quote and check it arrived.
2. After 2 or 3 days: ask if they have any questions.
3. After about a week: offer a short call, or a simpler or phased option.
4. Before the quote’s validity date: a factual reminder of the date you gave on the quote.
5. After 2 or 3 weeks: close the loop, and leave the door open.

For small jobs, two or three messages is plenty. For a big kitchen or roof, people take longer to decide, so space them out more. Keep every quote in one list with the date of your next message, so none go quiet because you forgot. A simple CRM does this, and a follow-up sequence can send the reminders for you.

Change the brackets to your own details. None of these invent a deadline or add a sales offer.

1. Same day, by text

Hi [Name], it’s [Your name] from [Business]. I’ve just emailed your quote for [job]. Can you let me know it’s arrived? Any questions, just reply here.

2. After a few days, by text

Hi [Name], just checking you got a chance to look at the quote for [job]. Happy to talk through anything that isn’t clear, or change the scope if it helps.

3. About a week later, by email

Subject: Your quote for [job]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to check whether the quote I sent on [date] still works for you. If the price is more than you planned, I can split the work into two stages, or suggest a simpler option. If you’d like to talk it through, reply with a good time and I’ll call you for ten minutes.

Thanks, [Your name], [Business], [phone]

4. Checking the timing, by text

Hi [Name], is the timing still right for [job], or would later in the year suit you better? Either is fine, I just want to plan my diary.

5. Before the validity date, by email

Subject: Quote for [job], valid until [date]

Hi [Name], a quick note that the quote I sent holds at that price until [date], as it says on the quote. After that I’d need to check material prices again. No pressure either way.

6. Closing the loop, by text

Hi [Name], I haven’t heard back so I’ll assume you’ve gone another way or the timing isn’t right, which is completely fine. If you want to pick it up later, just message me. Thanks for asking me to quote.

Only use message 5 if the date is real and on the quote. The last message often gets a reply, because it’s easy to answer.

Many quotes go quiet because they’re hard to act on. Before you worry about follow-up, check yours has:

• A clear scope. What’s included, in plain words, and what isn’t.
• The price and how it’s paid. Any deposit, stages and what happens if the job grows.
• A validity date. How long the price holds, and why (materials change, your diary fills).
• A likely start date. People plan around it.
• One next step. “Reply YES to book” or a link to accept. Not three options and a phone number.

Sending it quickly helps too. A quote that arrives while the customer still remembers your visit is easier to say yes to than one that arrives a week later.

Following up a quote someone asked for is part of dealing with them, and it should read that way.

• Keep it about the quote. The ICO says data protection law and PECR don’t stop you telling customers things they need to know as part of their relationship with you, and that a message with a neutral tone that simply gives that information is more likely to be a service message.
• Don’t add promotions. The ICO says that if a service message includes direct marketing, even when that isn’t its main purpose, it counts as direct marketing. So no “while you’re here, here’s a discount on our other services”.
• Marketing later needs permission. Texts and emails promoting your services to people who aren’t asking for them need consent, or the soft opt-in: they bought or discussed buying something similar from you, you gave them a clear chance to opt out when you took their details, and you give one in every message. The ICO treats sole traders and some partnerships as individuals here.
• No fake urgency. The CMA’s guidance lists falsely claiming a price or offer is only available for a short time, to rush a decision, as a banned practice. A genuine validity date is fine. An invented one isn’t.
• Know when to stop. The same list of banned practices includes persistent, unwanted approaches by phone, email or other remote means. If someone says no, or asks you to stop, stop.

M1 doesn’t give legal advice. If you’re unsure, the ICO’s guidance is written for small businesses.

• Missed-Call Rescue, £800 fixed: a simple list for every enquiry and quote (a CRM), automatic reminders, missed-call text-back and review requests. Typically 1 to 2 weeks. Text and app fees are paid at cost or directly by you, and listed before you agree.
• Sales Call Kit, £800 fixed: a call script written for your business and answers to the common objections, useful when a follow-up turns into a conversation about price. It also includes a researched list of target businesses, if you sell to other businesses.
• Growth Build, from £6,500: a new website with the follow-up system built in, paid in 4 stages as the work is done.

None of these can make a customer say yes. They make sure nobody is forgotten. If quotes aren’t your only leak, take the Scorecard.

• Identify direct marketing, Information Commissioner’s Office, accessed 30 September 2026
• Electronic mail marketing, Information Commissioner’s Office, accessed 30 September 2026
• Unfair commercial practices (CMA207), Competition and Markets Authority, GOV.UK, accessed 30 September 2026