- Silence isn’t a no. Follow up until you get an answer.
- Run separate sequences for no booking and no signature.
- Every message should be short and give them a reason to reply.
- Stop on a clear no or an opt-out, every time.
Two kinds of follow-up
Homeowners who asked about a project but never booked need a reason to take the next step. Homeowners who had the estimate but haven’t signed need answers, reassurance, and a nudge on timing.
Treat them separately. The message that books an estimate isn’t the one that gets a contract signed.
Example: a sequence for leads who didn’t book
This is an example to adapt, not a rule. Adjust the timing to your trade and how your homeowners like to be reached.
- Day 0, right away: instant text confirming you got their request and when you’ll call
- Day 0, within minutes: call. No answer? Leave a short voicemail and text the booking link
- Day 1: call again at a different time of day, plus a short text
- Day 3: text a photo or short video of a similar finished project
- Day 7: email what the estimate involves and a typical price range
- Day 14: a final check-in text asking if the project is still on their list
Example: after the estimate, before the signature
Again, an example. Big decisions take time, and pushing harder rarely speeds them up.
- Same day: thank them and send a clear written summary of scope and price
- Day 2: ask if any questions came up once they talked it over
- Day 7: check in on timing and offer to walk through options
- Day 14: share a similar finished project or answer a common concern
- Day 30: a short check-in to see where the decision stands
Tone: helpful, not pushy
Write like a contractor checking in, not a salesperson chasing a quota. Mention their project by name. Give them something useful each time: a photo, an answer, a next available start date.
Skip fake urgency. “Prices go up Friday” only works if it’s true, and homeowners can tell when it isn’t.
When to stop
Only text homeowners who agreed to receive texts, and keep a record of that consent.
- They say no, or tell you they hired someone else
- They ask you to stop. Honor it right away, including STOP replies to texts
- The active sequence ends with no reply. Move them to an occasional check-in instead of deleting them
Automate the routine, keep the human part human
Instant texts, reminders, and scheduled check-ins should run on their own so nobody forgets. Calls and replies to real questions should come from a person.
Track which step people book or sign at. That tells you which messages pull their weight and which to rewrite.
