Follow up on the estimate: day 1, 3, and 7

This GUIDE is for US home-service shops with about 1-15 people that leave diagnostic, replace, or membership estimates cold. Three touches, then close the file. I do not run forever nurture or invent close-rate percentages. Better Call Stan is home-service growth for small shops.

Who this is for (and who it is not)

For: shops that write estimates from their own channels (Google card, site, ads) and watch them die in email or SMS silence.

Not for: franchise nurture engines, marketplace spam campaigns, or homeowners shopping bids.

Why quotes die (use YOUR log, no invented %)

Common holes I see in small shops:

• No confirm the same day the estimate left the truck
• No second touch when they say "thinking" or "other bids"
• No clear last ask. The file sits open forever

I do not print a national "% of estimates that die." Count YOUR open estimates from the last 30 days and how many never booked.

Why three touches

Day 1 confirms and sets the next step.

Day 3 handles stalls without fake scarcity.

Day 7 is the last clear ask. Then close the file or move to a long-term nurture you actually run.

Three touches keep tone close to the 60-second intake: honest and calendar-first.

Job-type forks (one line each)

• Diagnostic / repair: confirm findings, options band, and next open window.
• Replace: confirm scope, timeline, and what happens if they wait (no invented scare %).
• Membership / maintenance: confirm start date, what's included, and how renewal works.

Channel note (SMS vs email / call)

Match the channel they already used. SMS for fast book-or-hold. Call when the ticket is large or they asked questions. Email for longer replace scopes. Keep the same calm tone as the 60-second script.

Get the 60-second script

Day 1: confirm + next step

Call or SMS same day (or next morning if you finished late).

SMS: "Hi [Name], [Shop]. Estimate for [job] is in your inbox / text. Next open window is [day/window]. Want me to hold it?"

Call opener: "Thanks again for having us out. Wanted to confirm you got the estimate and see if [day/window] still works to start."

Day 3: handle "thinking / other bids"

SMS: "Hi [Name], checking in on the [job] estimate. Still comparing options? Happy to clarify scope or timing. Window [day] is still open if you want it."

Call opener: "Following up on the estimate. Any questions on scope or timing? If you are waiting on another bid, I can hold [window] until [short clear date], no pressure."

Day 7: last clear ask; then stop

SMS: "Last note on the [job] estimate from [Shop]. If you want the work, reply YES and we will lock [window]. If not, no worries, we will close the file."

Call opener: "Final check on the estimate. Ready to book [window], or should we close the file for now?"

Then: close the file in your CRM / board. Do not drip weekly forever unless they asked to stay on a maintenance list.

When to stop

• After Day 7 with no reply
• When they say no / hired someone else (thank them; leave the door open once)
• When the scope changed and you need a new estimate (restart Day 1 on the new scope)

Do not invent countdown scarcity or cut margin with bait discounts just to "save" a cold file.

Do-not list

• Fake urgency percentages ("90% of people book today")
• Margin-killing bait discounts as default follow-up
• Quoting a full replace on a panic diagnostic call
• Promising "tomorrow" when permits take weeks (electrical / EV)
• Leaving them on voicemail with no SMS path (see missed-call checklist)

Hand-off after they book

When the job closes and is paid, move to the review-ask GUIDE.

If rings are still dying before the estimate, fix answer / SMS first.

Review request script after the jobGet the free missed-call checklistGet the 60-second script

Next step

FAQ

Better Call Stan is not JustCall. Home-service growth for small shops.