Plumbers have a problem most trades don't have as badly: emergencies. A burst pipe or a blocked sewer jumps the queue, and the planned-work quotes you sent earlier in the week get forgotten. By the time you think of them, the customer has gone cold or gone with someone else.
This guide covers how to follow up three of the most common quoted plumbing jobs (hot water, bathrooms and gas), with short SMS templates for each.
The basics apply to every job:
- Follow up early, check in a few days later, and send one polite final message.
- Keep texts short and sign off with your name and business.
- Make it easy to reply.
- Stop when they reply, or straight away if they ask you to.
Hot water quotes
Hot water jobs come in two kinds.
The urgent replacement. The unit's died and the customer has no hot water. They'll usually decide fast, often within a day or two. If you don't hear back quickly, it often means they've gone with whoever could come soonest. Follow up straight away.
Hi [Name], just checking you got the hot water quote. If you'd like to go ahead, just reply and I'll let you know the earliest time I can get there. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
The planned upgrade. The unit is old or the customer is weighing up gas, electric, solar or heat pump. These customers compare options and sometimes wait for the old unit to give up.
Hi [Name], just touching base on the hot water quote. If you'd like to compare a different type of system, I'm happy to put together another option. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Hi [Name], just checking in one last time before I close the hot water quote off. If you'd still like to go ahead, just reply and I'll get it organised. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Leave rebate or running-cost claims out of the text unless you can stand behind them for that customer. Keep those details in the quote.
Bathroom and kitchen renovation quotes
Renovation quotes are bigger and slower. The customer is usually juggling a builder, tiler, cabinetmaker and electrician, plus finance and their own schedule. Your quote is one piece of a bigger puzzle, so the customer often waits until the other pieces arrive.
Day 0, confirming it arrived:
Hi [Name], just checking you received the plumbing quote for the bathroom. No rush. I know there are a few trades to line up. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Day 3, offering to work with the builder:
Hi [Name], if your builder or designer has any questions about the plumbing side, I'm happy to talk with them directly. Just reply here. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Day 8, timing check:
Hi [Name], just checking where you're at with the bathroom. If the start date's moved, let me know and I'll pencil it in. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
If they say the reno is months away, note the date and follow up closer to the time. Don't keep messaging in the meantime.
Gas fitting and appliance quotes
Gas jobs, like cooktop and oven installs, gas heaters, gas line extensions and converting appliances, often stall because the customer is still choosing the appliance itself.
Hi [Name], just checking you got the quote for the gas work. If you're still picking the appliance, I'm happy to check the specs before you buy. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Hi [Name], just touching base on the gas quote. Happy to answer any questions about the install or compliance paperwork. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Hi [Name], just checking in one last time before I close this quote off. If you'd still like to go ahead, just reply and I'll book it in. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Blocked drains and drainage work
Drainage quotes often follow a first visit: you've cleared the blockage, found a cracked or root-filled pipe, and quoted a reline, a dig-up or a stormwater fix. Once the water's flowing again, the urgency disappears and the quote sits there.
Hi [Name], just checking you got the quote for the drain repair we talked about. Happy to explain the options if that helps. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Hi [Name], just touching base on the drainage quote. If you'd like to stage the work or look at another option, let me know. Thanks, [Your name], [Business name]
Timing that suits plumbing work
A simple schedule works for most planned plumbing quotes:
| When | Message |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Confirm they got it |
| Day 3 | Check in, offer to answer questions or adjust it |
| Day 8 | Polite final message before closing the quote off |
For an urgent hot water replacement, the first follow-up matters most and should go the same day.
What not to do
- Chase every day. It feels pushy and tends to lose the job rather than win it.
- Cut your price in a follow-up. Let the customer raise price if it's the issue.
- Send vague messages. Always name the job, like "the hot water quote" or "the bathroom", so they know which one.
- Message late at night. Stick to business hours, even if that's when you finally get to your admin.
Getting it done when you're on call-outs all day
Most plumbers don't need help writing a follow-up. They need it to actually go out on Day 3 when they're under a house on a blocked sewer job.
That's what Quote Converter does. You add a quote you've already sent, check the customer details and the messages, and press Start Chasing. It sends polite SMS follow-ups on Day 0, Day 3 and Day 8, signed with your name and business. If the customer replies, the follow-ups pause and you see the reply. If they text STOP, chasing for that quote ends.
It works alongside whatever you quote in now. It doesn't write the quote. It just makes sure someone follows it up.
Try it with your next quote: first 3 jobs free, no credit card