Missed call text message templates for every trade
By JP, who runs Ralphio. Updated 7 October 2026.
A good missed-call text says who you are, says sorry you missed them, and asks what the job is and where, so you can quote it. Keep it under 160 characters and it arrives as one text. Below are ready-to-copy versions for nine trades, each counted, plus a follow-up for people who go quiet.
What makes a good one
- Your business name first. They rang a number, not a name. Without it, a text from an unknown mobile looks like spam.
- Ask what you need to price it. What the job is and where it is. Most people ringing a trade want a quote, so get the details that let you give one.
- Ask for a photo. It's easy to send from a phone, and for a lot of jobs it saves a visit just to see what's involved.
- Under 160 characters. That's one text. Go over and it's sent as two or more, and some phones show them out of order.
- Straight apostrophes, no emoji. A curly apostrophe (the kind Word and some phones put in) or a single emoji drops the limit from 160 characters to 70, so the same message goes as three texts.
- No promise you can't keep. "I'll ring you in 10 minutes" goes wrong the first time a job overruns. "I'll get back to you" doesn't.
Templates by trade
Swap in your own business name. Every one is counted with the example name in it, so keep yours about the same length or trim a word.
Plumber
Hi, it's Smith Plumbing. Sorry I missed your call, I'm on a job. What do you need a quote for, and what's your postcode? Photos help if you have them.
150 characters, one text.
Electrician
Hi, it's Patel Electrical. Sorry I missed you, I'm on a job. What work are you after a price for, and where are you based?
122 characters, one text.
Heating engineer
Hi, it's North Heating. Sorry I missed you. Is it a service, a repair or a new boiler you're after a price for? And what's your postcode?
137 characters, one text.
Roofer
Hi, it's Hill Roofing. Sorry I missed your call, I'm up a roof. What needs doing and what's your postcode? A photo helps me price it.
133 characters, one text.
Builder
Hi, it's Brook Builders. Sorry I missed you, I'm on site. What's the project, when are you hoping to start, and what's your postcode?
133 characters, one text.
Landscaper or gardener
Hi, it's Green Gardens. Sorry I missed you, I'm out on a job. What would you like done, and what's your postcode? Photos help.
126 characters, one text.
Painter and decorator
Hi, it's Lee Decorating. Sorry I missed your call. Which rooms, inside or out, and when are you hoping to have it done?
119 characters, one text.
Carpenter or kitchen fitter
Hi, it's Oak Joinery. Sorry I missed your call. What are you after, and roughly what size? A photo or a sketch is plenty to start with.
135 characters, one text.
Any trade, after hours
Hi, it's Smith Plumbing. Sorry we missed you, we're done for the day. Tell us what you need a quote for and we'll get back to you in the morning.
145 characters, one text.
If they don't reply
Some people read it, mean to answer and forget. One nudge the next day brings a lot of them back. Send it once, then leave it.
Hi, it's Smith Plumbing again. Still after a quote? Just reply with what the job is and your postcode, and I'll take a look.
124 characters, one text.
When to send it
Within a minute or two, while they've still got the phone in their hand. Most people ring the next number on the list straight away. There's more on timing in how fast you have to reply.
Doing it by hand means stopping work every time the phone rings. Ralphio sends it for you the moment a call goes unanswered, gets the details back, chases anyone who goes quiet, and passes you the job. See how it works.