Here is a stat that should keep every contractor up at night: 80% of sales require at least 5 follow-up contacts, but 44% of salespeople give up after just one attempt. In contracting, the number is even worse. Most contractors send one estimate and never follow up at all.
The Cost of No Follow-Up
If you send 100 estimates per month and your close rate is 25%, you book 25 jobs. With a proper follow-up sequence, that same 100 estimates typically closes at 35-40%. That is 10-15 additional jobs per month from leads you already paid to acquire.
The Automated Follow-Up Sequence That Works
Day 0: Instant Confirmation
The moment an estimate is sent, trigger an automated text: "Hi [Name], your estimate from [Company] just landed in your inbox. Any questions, just reply here."
Day 2: Value Add
Send an email with a relevant tip, case study, or FAQ that addresses common objections. "3 things to consider before choosing an HVAC contractor."
Day 5: Check-In
A quick SMS: "Hey [Name], just checking in on the estimate we sent. Happy to adjust anything or answer questions."
Day 10: Social Proof
Email with a testimonial from a similar customer: "Here is what [Neighbor] said about their experience with us."
Day 14: Final Nudge
Last touch: "We are scheduling [month] jobs now and have a few openings left. Want us to hold a slot for you?"
Setting This Up
GoHighLevel, Jobber, and even Mailchimp can run this sequence automatically. Setup takes about 2 hours one time, then it runs forever. Book a free audit and we will build your first follow-up sequence together.