Text message templates for contractors
23 texts you will send this month, written to go as they are. Tap Copy, change the brackets, send. Grouped by where the job is: sending the estimate, following up, once they say yes, the day of, after, and the hard ones.
Jump to: Sending the estimate · Following up · Once they say yes · Day of the job · After the job · The hard ones
Sending the estimate
Hi [First name], it's [Your name] with [Company]. Here's the estimate for the [job] we talked about: [Link]. It has the price, what's included, and the timeline. Any questions, just text me back.
Hi [First name], [Your name] with [Company]. Your estimate is here: [Link]. I put two options on it, [option one] and [option two], so you can pick what fits. Happy to walk you through either one.
Hi [First name], as discussed, the [job] is [$amount]. I'll text you the written estimate tonight with everything spelled out so there are no surprises. Thanks for having me out.
Following up
Hi [First name], [Your name] with [Company]. Checking in on the estimate I sent over for the [job]. Any questions I can answer? It's here when you're ready: [Link].
Hi [First name], wanted to see where you landed on the [job]. No pressure either way. If the timing isn't right, let me know and I'll check back when it works better for you. [Link]
Hi [First name], I'm going to assume the [job] is on hold for now and close it out on my end. If you want to pick it back up, the estimate is still here: [Link]. The price is good through [date]. Thanks again for having me out.
Hi [First name], saw you had a look at the estimate. If anything on it doesn't make sense or you want something changed, tell me and I'll fix it. Easier to adjust now than after we start.
Once they say yes
Thanks [First name], glad to do it. The deposit of [$amount] holds your spot and covers materials. You can pay it right from the estimate: [Link]. Once that's in, I'll get you on the schedule and confirm the date.
Got the deposit, thank you. You're on the schedule for [day, date] starting around [time]. I'll text you the day before to confirm. If anything changes on your end, just let me know.
Hi [First name], the [material] is ordered. Lead time is about [number] weeks, so we're looking at the week of [date] for the install. I'll confirm the exact day as soon as it ships.
Hi [First name], confirming tomorrow at [time] for the [job]. Should take about [duration]. If you could [clear the area / move the car / keep the dog inside], that helps us get right to it. See you then.
Day of the job
Hi [First name], on my way, should be there in about [number] minutes.
Hi [First name], running about [number] minutes behind from the last job. Sorry about that. Still coming today, I'll be there by [time].
Hi [First name], quick heads up. When we opened up [area] we found [what]. It needs [fix] before we can continue. That's [$amount] on top of the estimate. I've written it up here so you can approve it before we do anything: [Link]. Call me if you want to talk it through.
Hi [First name], wrapped up for today. [What got done]. Tomorrow we [what's next], starting around [time]. Everything's cleaned up and safe to walk through.
After the job
Hi [First name], all finished. The balance of [$amount] is due today; you can pay it here: [Link]. Thanks for the work, it was a pleasure. Any issues at all, text me and I'll come back out.
Hi [First name], hope the [job] is holding up well. If you've got a minute, a quick review would mean a lot. It's how most of my new customers find me: [Review link]. Thanks again.
Hi [First name], just a reminder the balance of [$amount] for the [job] is still open. Here's the link to pay by card: [Link]. Check or cash work too, whatever is easiest. Thanks.
Hi [First name], [Your name] with [Company]. It's been a few months since the [job]. If anything needs a look, or you've got another project in mind, I'd be glad to come out. Thanks for thinking of us.
The hard ones
Hi [First name], I priced it as tight as I can for the work that's on it. If the number needs to come down, the way to do that is to take something out. I can pull [item] and that brings it to [$amount]. Let me know which way you want to go.
Hi [First name], the forecast for [day] isn't going to work for [job]. I'd rather do it right than do it wet. Can we move to [new day]? Sorry for the shuffle.
Hi [First name], thanks for the chance to look at the [job]. It's not one I'm the right fit for, and I'd rather tell you that than do a job I can't stand behind. [Optional: Name] does this kind of work and does it well. Best of luck with it.
Hi [First name], happy to add the [extra work]. It's outside what we priced, so I'll write it up with its own number and you can say yes before we touch it. That way there are no surprises on the final bill.
Three rules for texting customers
- Sign every text. Your name and company in the first line, until they have you saved. A text from an unknown number with a link in it gets deleted.
- Send a document, not a number. "It'll be about $2,400" is a text that gets shopped. A link to an estimate with the scope, the terms, and a place to sign is a text that gets accepted. How to do that is in how to send an estimate by text.
- Three follow-ups, then stop. Day 3, day 7, two weeks. Each one short, each one with the link. The words for the follow-ups and why they work are in how to follow up on an estimate.
Where the links come from
Every message with a [Link] in it assumes the estimate, the deposit, and the balance each have a page the customer can open on their phone. BidWriter Pro makes those pages from the job you type, and its Text button opens your messages with the note and the link already in it, so these templates are one tap instead of a copy and paste. The follow-ups and the review request go out on their own, by email, from your name. $29 a month, 30 days free.
Questions contractors ask
How soon should I text the estimate?
Before you leave the driveway, or within the hour. The first written price a customer gets is the one the others get compared to. Most of the contractors who lose a job to a lower bid lost it to a faster one.
How many times should I follow up on an estimate?
Three: day 3, day 7, and a last one around two weeks that says you are closing it out. Short, signed, and with the link each time. After the third, stop; the next message is theirs to send.
Should I text or email an estimate?
Text, for a homeowner. It gets opened in minutes. Email gets opened tomorrow, if the filter lets it through. What you text should be a link to a document, not a number typed into the message.
Can I automate these?
The follow-ups and the review request, yes, from your estimating software, as emails that go out on a schedule from your name. Texts you should send yourself; a text from a number the customer does not know reads as spam, and carriers filter automated texts to people who never opted in.
More free: proposal templates for 24 trades, the estimate checker, and the bidding guides.