There’s no single follow-up pattern that fits every situation, but these five give you a solid starting point to adapt to your own trade and jobs.
1. The Fresh Enquiry Sprint (7 days)
For a new enquiry that’s shown real interest:
- Day 1: Quote sent, with a quick call or text to confirm they’ve got it
- Day 3: Call to check they’ve had a look and answer any questions
- Day 5: Text if the call goes unanswered — keep it low-pressure
- Day 7: Final call — “Just checking where you’ve got to with this — still keen to go ahead?”
Why it works: Fresh enquiries go cold fast. This pattern gets several touchpoints in while you’re still front of mind.
2. The Bigger Job Follow-Up (30 days)
For larger jobs — extensions, full rewires, kitchen refits — where customers take longer to decide:
- Week 1: Send the quote, with a call to talk through what’s included
- Week 2: Check in — answer any questions, offer to adjust if needed
- Week 3: A quick call to see where their thinking’s at
- Week 4: Direct ask — “Are you ready to get this booked in?”
Why it works: Bigger jobs need more trust and more time to decide. This pattern builds that without chasing too hard too soon.
3. The Long-Term Nurture (Ongoing)
For enquiries that aren’t ready to commit right now:
- Every few weeks: A brief, friendly check-in — no pressure
- Monthly: A quick call if you haven’t heard anything
- Every few months: A “just in case things have changed” message
Why it works: Keeps you front of mind without being a nuisance. When they are ready, you’re the first person they think of.
4. The Win-Back Sequence
For customers or quotes that have gone quiet:
- Day 1: A “just checking in” message referencing your last conversation
- Day 3: A quick note on availability or a small update
- Day 7: A direct, low-pressure check — “Still something you’re looking to get done?”
- Day 14: Final attempt — “No worries if not, just let me know either way”
Why it works: People don’t go quiet because they hate you. Life gets busy. A structured win-back gives them an easy way to pick things back up.
5. The Repeat Customer Loop
For past customers you want to stay in touch with for future work and referrals:
- Every couple of months: A check-in — “How’s everything holding up since we did the job?”
- Every few months: A mention that you’re around if anything else needs doing
- Ongoing: A quick ask for a referral or review after any job that’s gone well
Why it works: The easiest work to win is repeat work from someone who already trusts you. Regular, light contact keeps you as their go-to.
Making It Work
The best pattern is the one you’ll actually stick to. Start simple, see what gets a response, and adjust. Don’t try to run all five at once — pick the one that fits your current situation and get comfortable with it before adding more.
The principle behind all five: consistency beats intensity. A handful of ordinary follow-ups will win more jobs than one perfectly-worded message sent once.
DailyDial runs this for you automatically. It works out which follow-up pattern fits each quote and customer, so you don’t have to plan it yourself. Try it free for 14 days — no credit card required.
Related reading: What Is a Follow-Up Cadence? · How to Follow Up After Sending a Quote