The Biggest Revenue Leak in Plumbing
You drive out, assess the job, spend 30 minutes writing up an estimate, and send it over. The customer says, "Thanks, let me think about it."
Then — nothing. No callback. No reply. They vanish.
Sound familiar? You're not alone. 40–60% of plumbing estimates never close. That's potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars walking out the door every year.
Why Estimates Go Cold
It's rarely about price. Here's what actually happens:
- They got busy and forgot about the estimate
- They're comparing quotes and waiting for someone to follow up
- They had questions but didn't want to bother calling
- They need financing info but don't know you offer it
- Life happened and plumbing dropped off their priority list
The 14-Day Follow-Up Sequence
Here's the exact sequence that top plumbing companies use to close 60% more estimates:
Day 1 — Same Day (2 hours after sending estimate)
SMS:
Hi [Name]! Just sent over your estimate for the [service]. Let me know if you have any questions — happy to walk through it. Reply anytime or call [Phone]. — [Your Name], [Company]
Day 3 — The Gentle Nudge
Email: Subject: Quick question about your [service] estimate
Hi [Name], just checking in on the estimate we sent for [service]. A few things that might help: We offer financing options for larger jobs. We can usually get you scheduled within [X] days. Happy to adjust the scope if needed. Want to move forward? Just reply "YES" and we'll get you on the calendar.
Day 7 — Social Proof
SMS:
Hey [Name]! Wanted to share — we just completed a similar [service] job nearby and the homeowner was thrilled. Here's what they said: "[Short review quote]." Still interested? Book here: [Link]
Day 14 — The Final Offer
Email: Subject: Last chance: Your [service] estimate expires soon
Hi [Name], your estimate for [service] is expiring this week. If you'd like to lock in the current pricing, just reply or book here: [Link]. If you've decided to go another direction, no worries at all — we're here if you need us in the future.
Why This Works
- Day 1 catches people while it's still fresh
- Day 3 addresses common objections (financing, timing)
- Day 7 uses social proof to build trust
- Day 14 creates urgency without being pushy
Set this up once in your CRM. Every estimate you send gets this sequence automatically. No manual follow-up required.