When should you follow up on an estimate? Within 24 to 48 hours, then about a week later
By Sharrk Team · October 21, 2026
Follow up on an estimate within 24 to 48 hours of sending it, then again about a week later, and make one final touch before the quote expires or roughly two weeks out. Sharrk runs that cadence for you: add the customer to an estimate follow-up Strike and it calls, texts, emails and drops voicemails on schedule, then stops the moment they reply or book.
That timing is where the field-service guides land. Housecall Pro says to send the first follow-up 24 to 48 hours after the quote because "most people look at quotes within a day or two" (Housecall Pro (checked October 21, 2026)). ServiceTitan's contractor playbook says follow-up "should start within 48 hours after the estimate is delivered, and not end until you get a yes or a no" (ServiceTitan (checked October 21, 2026)). Jobber's guide puts the first email within two days of the quote (Jobber (checked October 21, 2026)).
Why is the first 48 hours so important for an estimate?
Because your customer is almost certainly comparing you to someone else. In a survey of more than 1,000 homeowners run by ArcSite with ResearchScape, 95% said they get more than one bid, and 28% expect a quote on the spot or the same day as the visit (ArcSite (checked October 21, 2026)). If the customer is reading three quotes this week, the contractor who checks in while the visit is still fresh is the one who gets the questions, and the questions are where jobs are won.
A quick follow-up is also just good service. It confirms the quote arrived, gives the customer an easy way to ask about line items, and shows how responsive you will be once the job starts.
What is a good estimate follow-up cadence?
The three guides agree on the shape: one early touch, one about a week in, one final touch, then stop chasing and move the customer to long-term nurture. Housecall Pro suggests a second follow-up 4 to 5 days after the first and a final one about a week after that, and says two or three follow-ups is enough (Housecall Pro (checked October 21, 2026)). Jobber suggests a second follow-up one week after the quote and a final one 24 to 48 hours before the quote expires (Jobber (checked October 21, 2026)).
Here is an example cadence that combines that guidance. Adjust the spacing to how long your quotes stay valid and how big the job is.
| When | Channel | Goal | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same day as the quote | Call or text | Confirm it arrived, offer to walk through it | ServiceTitan's same-day "happy call" |
| Day 1 to 2 | Text, then call if no reply | Answer questions, check timing | Housecall Pro, Jobber, ServiceTitan |
| Day 5 to 7 | Email with detail, plus a voicemail | Add useful detail: scope, warranty, financing, schedule | Housecall Pro (4 to 5 days after first), Jobber (one week) |
| About day 14, or 24 to 48 hours before the quote expires | Text or call | Final check-in, mention expiry or schedule openings | Jobber (before expiry), Housecall Pro (about a week after second) |
| After that | Seasonal or occasional email | Stay in touch without chasing | Housecall Pro (keep in CRM), ServiceTitan (drip marketing) |
The table is an illustrative schedule built from the sources above, not a rule any of them publishes word for word.
How is following up on an estimate different from following up on a new lead?
A new lead has just raised their hand, so speed and persistence matter most, and you might reach out several times in the first few days. We cover that in how many times to follow up with a lead. A customer with an estimate already knows you, has seen your price and is weighing a decision. Fewer, more useful touches work better: answer questions, clarify scope, and make it easy to say yes. Jobber's guide specifically warns against sending so many follow-ups that you annoy the customer (Jobber (checked October 21, 2026)).
What should an estimate follow-up text, email or call say?
Keep each touch short, specific to the job, and end with one easy next step. These scripts are illustrative examples; swap in your own details.
Day 1 text (illustrative):
Hi Dana, it's Chris from Northside Home Services. Just checking that the estimate for your water heater replacement came through. Happy to walk through any line item. Want me to give you a quick call?
Day 1 to 2 call (illustrative):
"Hi Dana, it's Chris from Northside. I sent your estimate yesterday and wanted to make sure it made sense. Any questions on the scope or the price? ... We have openings next Tuesday and Thursday if you'd like to get on the schedule."
Day 5 to 7 email (illustrative):
Subject: Your water heater estimate, plus a couple of details Hi Dana, a few things that often help people decide: the install includes haul-away of the old unit, the tank carries a manufacturer warranty, and we can usually schedule within a week. If you're comparing quotes, I'm glad to go over what's included in ours. Just reply here or book a time at the link below.
Final touch (illustrative):
Hi Dana, Chris from Northside. Your estimate is good through Friday. If the timing isn't right, no problem, just let me know and I'll check back later in the season.
When should you stop following up on an estimate?
Stop after the final touch if you have had no reply. Housecall Pro recommends two or three follow-ups, then keeping the contact in your CRM for future check-ins or seasonal offers (Housecall Pro (checked October 21, 2026)). Jobber says it is fine to close the file and move on after the third follow-up (Jobber (checked October 21, 2026)). Stop right away if the customer says they went with someone else or asks you to stop. A polite "thanks for considering us" leaves the door open for the next job.
If you text or call customers with automation, make sure you have their consent and follow texting registration rules. Our guide to AI voice calls and the TCPA covers the basics.
How does Sharrk handle estimate follow-up?
Sharrk turns that cadence into a Strike, an automatic follow-up sequence for each customer. When you send a quote from whatever tool you use, move the lead to your estimate stage in Sharrk's CRM pipeline or add them to the Strike manually. The Strike then follows up across AI calls, texts, the AI text agent, email, voicemail drops and video texts on the schedule you choose. It branches on call results and replies, and it stops on its own when the customer replies, books or asks to stop, so nobody gets a "just checking in" after they have already said yes.
When a customer replies by text, Sharrk's AI text agent can answer from information you approve and book the job onto Sharrk's built-in calendar, Calendly or Cal.com, or into ServiceTitan. If they call back, an AI voice agent answers 24/7, captures the job details and can live-transfer the call to your team. Every touch lands in the customer's record in Sharrk's CRM with transcripts and recordings. See how this fits with the rest of your follow-up in AI lead follow-up and contractor automation.
Mako, Sharrk's AI assistant, builds the Strike from plain English. Tell it something like "text estimate customers the next day, call on day two, email more detail on day six, and send a final text on day fourteen," and Mako drafts the sequence and shows each change on an Apply card. Nothing goes live until you approve it, and Undo is there if you change your mind.
You can build and test with Mako on Sharrk Free, which includes 2,500 one-time credits and needs no card. Going live with a phone number, texting and calls needs a paid plan, starting with Sharrk Core at $99 a month, with no contracts or setup fees. Want to see an estimate follow-up Strike built for your business? Schedule a demo.
Sources
- Housecall Pro, "How to Follow Up on a Quote & Win More Jobs": https://www.housecallpro.com/resources/how-to-follow-up-on-quote/ (checked October 21, 2026)
- Jobber Academy, "Quote Follow-Up Email Templates & Examples": https://getjobber.com/academy/quote-follow-up-email-templates/ (checked October 21, 2026)
- ServiceTitan Contractor Playbook, Chapter 11, "Leveraging the Follow-up Coordinator": https://www.servicetitan.com/guides/contractor-playbook/followup-coordinator (checked October 21, 2026)
- ArcSite, 2022 Homeowner Survey Report (survey of 1,000+ homeowners with ResearchScape, late 2021): https://www.arcsite.com/blog/2022-homeowner-survey-report (checked October 21, 2026)
Related on Sharrk: Contractor automation · Speed to lead · Pricing
Frequently asked questions
How long should you wait to follow up on an estimate?
Wait 24 to 48 hours after sending the estimate before your first follow-up. Housecall Pro, Jobber and ServiceTitan all put the first follow-up within about two days of the quote.
How many times should a contractor follow up on a quote?
Two or three follow-ups after the quote is usually enough. Housecall Pro recommends two or three, and Jobber suggests a three-touch sequence over a few weeks before closing the file.
What should I say when following up on an estimate?
Confirm the estimate arrived, offer to answer questions about scope or price, and give one easy next step such as a call or open dates. Later touches can add useful detail like warranty, financing or scheduling, and the last one can mention when the quote expires.
Is it better to call, text or email about an estimate?
Use a mix: a quick text or call in the first day or two, an email with more detail around day five to seven, and a short text or call for the final touch. Mixing channels gives customers more than one easy way to reply.
When should I stop following up on an estimate?
Stop after your final follow-up if there is no reply, and immediately if the customer declines or asks you to stop. Keep them in your CRM for an occasional seasonal check-in instead of continuing to chase.
Can Sharrk follow up on my estimates for me?
Yes. Add the customer to an estimate follow-up Strike and Sharrk follows up by AI call, text, email and voicemail drop on your schedule, then stops when they reply, book or ask to stop.