14-Day SMS Follow-Up Sequence for Contractors (Free Templates)
This 14-day SMS follow-up sequence for contractors helps you convert more leads without feeling pushy. Use the messages below for new inquiries, open estimates, and post-job reviews. Run it manually on your phone—or automate everything with BuildFolio Pro.
What this guide gives you
- 14-day sequence overview for new leads & open estimates
- Copy-and-paste SMS templates (you can tweak tone)
- Free vs Pro setup steps inside BuildFolio
- Light compliance checklist (opt-in, frequency, “STOP”)
Nothing here is legal advice. Always confirm SMS rules (TCPA, local regulations) with your own counsel.
Why a 14-day SMS follow-up sequence works
Most homeowners don’t say “no”—they just get busy. A simple SMS sequence keeps you at the top of their inbox without chasing every lead manually.
- SMS gets seen. Texts are more likely to be opened than voicemail or email.
- Speed-to-lead wins. Responding fast and staying consistent gets you more booked estimates.
- Short messages feel lighter. A friendly check-in is easier to send and easier to respond to.
You can shorten this to 7 days or extend beyond 14—this playbook is meant to be edited for your trade.
Sequence A: New lead / quote request
Use this for people who fill out your form, call, or text asking for help but haven’t scheduled yet. Day “0” is when the inquiry comes in.
Goal: Acknowledge fast and invite photos.
Hi {{first_name}} — this is {{company}}.
Got your request about {{service}}. You can text photos of the issue here any time.
We’ll follow up with next steps shortly.
Goal: Confirm they still need help.
Hi {{first_name}}, just checking in — still need help with {{service}}?
If you send 2–3 photos and your address, we can give better options.
Goal: Remove price friction with payments.
Quick note from {{company}}:
You can preview monthly payments for this project here:
{{financing_link}}
No obligation — it just shows options.
Goal: Offer clear times instead of “when works?”
Hi {{first_name}}, we still have a couple of openings:
Tue {{slot_1}} or Thu {{slot_2}}.
Which works best to take a look at {{service}}?
Goal: Give a polite “last call.”
Hi {{first_name}}, we’ll close out this request for now so we’re not bugging you.
If you still need help with {{service}}, just reply to this text and we’ll reopen it.
Sequence B: Open estimate follow-ups
Use this after you’ve sent a estimate or estimate but haven’t heard back. This version assumes you’ve already scoped the job.
Goal: Confirm they received the estimate.
Hi {{first_name}} — just sent your estimate for {{project_name}}.
If anything looks off, reply here and we’ll adjust.
Goal: Invite objections/questions.
Hi {{first_name}}, any questions on the estimate I sent for {{project_name}}?
Happy to walk through options or adjust scope if needed.
Goal: Help them see “can I afford this?” differently.
If price is the holdup, here’s a link to preview monthly payments:
{{financing_link}}
No hard credit pull to see options.
Goal: Nudge with schedule reality (without pressure).
Hi {{first_name}}, schedule is filling up for {{month_or_season}}.
If you’d like to lock in the estimate for {{project_name}},
we can still hold {{slot_option}}. Interested?
Goal: Gracefully step back but keep door open.
We’ll close this estimate on our end so we’re not over-texting you. If you’d like to move forward or revisit options, just reply “REOPEN” any time.
Review request messages
Turn finished jobs into more future work. You can send these manually on Free or automate them on Pro.
Right after job completion
Hi {{first_name}} — thanks again for choosing {{company}} for {{service}}.
If everything looks good, a quick review really helps other homeowners find us:
{{review_link}}
3-day reminder
Hi {{first_name}}, hope {{service}} is working great so far.
If you haven’t had a chance, could you leave a quick review here?
{{review_link}}
Thank you — it means a lot.
On BuildFolio Pro, review requests can be triggered automatically when you mark a job complete.
How to run this with BuildFolio (Free vs Pro)
On BuildFolio Free (manual)
- Sign up free → app.build-folio.com/signup
- Add the lead capture widget and financing button to your site
- Turn on SMS/email notifications for new leads
- Save these templates into your phone as text snippets
- Send replies manually when new leads or estimates come in
Free is perfect when volume is still manageable and you want control over each conversation.
On BuildFolio Pro (automated)
- Upgrade to Pro → Start 14-day trial
- Turn on SMS Automation for form fills and missed calls
- Configure a 14-day sequence using the messages above
- Connect review requests so they trigger when jobs close
- Layer in invoice reminders and AI Photo-to-Quote when ready
Professional runs the sequence in the background so your crew can stay on jobs instead of voicemail.
Quick SMS compliance checklist
Always follow SMS and telemarketing rules in your region. This list is not legal advice, just general good practice:
- Get explicit consent to text (checkbox on your form is ideal).
- Mention that messaging/data rates may apply.
- Include a simple opt-out, like “Reply STOP to opt out”.
- Don’t text too early or too late in the day.
- Honor opt-outs immediately and keep a do-not-contact list.
Work with your own counsel or compliance expert if you’re unsure about rules like TCPA or local regulations.
14-Day SMS follow-up FAQ
Is 14 days too long for contractor SMS follow-ups?
For many trades, 10–14 days works well: enough touchpoints to stay top-of-mind without feeling like spam. You can shorten the sequence if your jobs are more urgent (e.g., emergency plumbing) or extend it for bigger projects.
How many SMS messages is “too many”?
The sequences above send a handful of messages over two weeks. If your leads feel overwhelmed, reduce one or two steps and make sure every text adds value (clarity, scheduling, options)—not just “checking in again”.
Can I use this sequence without BuildFolio?
Yes. You can send these manually from your phone or another system. BuildFolio just makes it easier to connect everything: lead capture, financing, SMS automation, invoice reminders, and (soon) AI Photo-to-Quote.
Will this help me book more estimates?
Most contractors see more booked estimates when they respond faster and follow up consistently. This playbook helps you do both without reinventing your messages every time.
Turn this 14-day SMS sequence into your unfair advantage.
Start free to test the messages manually. Upgrade to Pro when you’re ready to let automation handle the follow-ups.