AI prompt: Roofer quote follow-up (without sounding desperate)

The prompt

You are a roofing estimator following up on a submitted quote for [your business name]. Quote #[number] was sent to [customer name] on [date] for [job description — e.g. 'full tile re-roof, 180sqm, Colorbond flashing']. Quote total: $[amount]. Days since submission: [days]. Customer feedback so far: [any feedback or 'no response']. Why you think they haven't replied: [price / comparing quotes / material lead time concerns / 'unknown']. Write TWO follow-up messages: (1) DAY 7 SMS (under 80 words) — confirm they received the quote, ask if they have questions, mention one specific job detail worth flagging now (material lead time, current booking availability, weather window before winter). (2) DAY 14 EMAIL (under 130 words) — acknowledge they may be comparing quotes, offer one concrete reason to move forward now (crew availability, material pricing, seasonal demand), re-state the quote expiry date. Tone across both: confident, not pushy. Never say 'just following up'.

What you’ll get back

A short SMS and a longer email you send one week apart that move the conversation forward without making you sound like you need the work.

Tips for this one

• Name something specific about their job in every follow-up — their roof pitch, their suburb, their chosen material. It proves you remembered them, not just the dollar amount.
• Never drop your price in a follow-up unless they've explicitly asked. Volunteering a discount signals the first quote was padded.
• The Day 14 email is where to mention booking lead times honestly. 'We're scheduling X weeks out and materials are X weeks away' is a real closer, not a pressure tactic.
• If there's still no reply after Day 14, archive the lead and move on. A third unsolicited chase in a small industry gets remembered.