How to chase a quote without being pushy
By JP, who runs Ralphio. Updated 8 October 2026.
Chase a quote with three short texts: day 3 to check it arrived, day 7 to offer to answer questions, and a last one around day 14 that says you won't keep bothering them. Say who you are, name the job, give them an easy way to reply or say no, and stop when they answer.
What should a quote chase text say?
- Who you are and which job. They may have asked three people. "The bathroom quote" tells them which one you mean.
- One reason to reply. A question you can answer, an offer to change something, or a plain "no problem if you've gone elsewhere". Not a demand for a decision.
- Short enough to read on a lock screen. Keep it under 160 characters and it arrives as one text. Use straight apostrophes and no emoji, or the limit drops to 70.
- Each one different. The same message three times reads as a machine.
- A way out. The last text should tell them you're stopping. It lets them reply if they'd forgotten, and it leaves a good impression either way.
When should you chase a quote?
| When | Job of the text |
|---|---|
| Day 3 | Check it arrived and offer to answer questions |
| Day 7 | Offer to talk it through or change something |
| Day 14 | Say you'll stop messaging, and leave the door open |
Other trade guides suggest a similar rhythm. Trade2base has a text on day 2, a message on day 5, a call on day 10 and a closing message from day 14. Housecall Pro suggests 24 to 48 hours, then 4 to 5 days later, then a week after that. Neither cites research for the timing, so treat it as common practice, not a measured best. Two or three messages is enough. Past that you're pestering.
Quote chase texts to copy
Swap in your own names, the job and the day. Every one is counted with the example names in it, so keep yours about the same length.
Day 3: check it arrived
Hi Priya, it's Tom at Hart Plumbing. Just checking the quote for your bathroom came through OK. Any questions, just reply here.
127 characters, one text.
Day 7: offer to answer or change something
Hi Priya, Tom at Hart Plumbing again. Happy to talk through the quote or change anything in it. If you've gone another way, no problem, just say.
145 characters, one text.
Day 14: the last nudge
Hi Priya, Tom at Hart Plumbing. I won't keep messaging you about the bathroom quote. If you'd like to go ahead, reply here and I'll sort a date.
144 characters, one text.
After a visit or survey
Hi Priya, it's Tom at Hart Plumbing. Thanks for having me round on Tuesday. The quote is in your email. Shout if anything isn't clear.
134 characters, one text.
A big job they need time over
Hi Priya, it's Mark at Reeves Building. No rush on the extension quote, I know it's a big decision. Happy to go through the numbers on a call if that helps.
156 characters, one text.
They said they'd think about it
Hi Priya, Tom at Hart Plumbing. No pressure on the quote. Is there anything I can clear up that would help you decide?
118 characters, one text.
If you think the price is the sticking point
Hi Priya, Tom at Hart Plumbing. If the price is the sticking point, tell me what you had in mind and I'll see what I can do.
124 characters, one text.
When they say no
No problem at all, Priya, and thanks for letting me know. If anything else comes up, you've got my number.
106 characters, one text.
What not to say
- "Just chasing." It tells them they're behind. Give a reason to reply instead.
- "Have you made a decision yet?" It puts them on the spot, and "not yet" ends the conversation.
- Invented urgency. "Prices go up Monday" or "my diary is filling up" only works if it is true, and customers can tell when it isn't.
- A third or fourth text. If they haven't answered three, they've either decided or gone quiet. Another message won't change that.
What if they say no?
Thank them and stop. Don't ask why unless you want honest feedback, and then ask once. A calm reply is how you get the next job from the same person, or their neighbour.
Is it OK to text a customer about a quote you sent?
In the normal case, yes. They asked you for the price, and a short, neutral text that stops when they reply is close to a service message, not marketing. Keep offers and promotions out of it, and stop if they ask you to. That is my reading of the rules, not ICO wording. The detail is in is missed call text back legal in the UK.
Doing it without having to remember
Yes. Doing it by hand means remembering who you quoted, and when, on top of the work. Ralphio chases a quote for you, once or twice, and stops the moment the customer replies. See how it works. If you'd rather do it yourself, the texts above are yours to use.