A practical guide for UK painters and decorators
How to follow up a decorating quote
Written
You have visited, measured up and sent the quote. Now there is silence. A polite chaser can help without putting pressure on the homeowner.
Use the three sample messages below for manual follow-ups by email or WhatsApp. Select the text, copy it and replace the square brackets before sending. No account is needed.
Before you chase
Check the customer’s name, contact details and the original quote. Make sure the job, preparation, materials and exclusions are clear. If you spotted an error, send a corrected quote rather than another reminder.
Count the days from when you sent the quote. Days two, five and 10 are a starting point, not a rule. If the homeowner said they would decide next week, wait until then. Avoid late-night messages and do not contact them through several channels at once.
Keep each chaser in the original conversation so the quote is easy to find. If you need to resend a PDF, check it is the right version. Mention the room or job, rather than a vague “any update?”.
Three sample messages to copy
These are samples, not messages Rivet has sent. Adjust them to match what you agreed with the customer.
Day 2 · Sample message
Check the quote arrived
Start with delivery, not a demand for a decision. Reply in the same email thread or WhatsApp conversation.
Hi [name], just checking my quote for [job] reached you. Let me know if you have any questions about what’s included. Happy to talk it through. Thanks, [your name]
Day 5 · Sample message
Offer help with the decision
Give them room to ask about preparation, materials or timing. Do not offer a discount just because they have not replied.
Hi [name], have you had a chance to look over the quote for [job]? If anything needs explaining, please let me know. If you’re still deciding, that’s fine too. Thanks, [your name]
Day 10 · Sample message
Close the chase politely
Make this the final reminder unless they ask you to check back. A short no is useful; they owe you no explanation.
Hi [name], one last check about the quote for [job]. If you’d like to go ahead, please let me know. If not, no problem. I won’t send more reminders. Thanks, [your name]
When to stop chasing
Stop straight away if they decline, choose another decorator or ask for no more messages. If they accept, stop reminders and agree the next steps. A reply by phone counts too; note it down so you do not chase again.
If there is no answer after the day 10 message, leave it there. Silence is not acceptance. Do not book the job or order materials without agreement. Keep a simple note saying “No reply” and the last contact date.
If they ask for more time, agree one date to check back. If the quote expires first, explain that you will need to confirm the price and availability again. Never invent a deadline or claim another customer wants their slot.
Keep a small record
A notebook or phone note is enough. Record the customer, job, date sent, next chaser and any answer. Before sending a reminder, check that they have not already replied elsewhere. This avoids an awkward message after a perfectly clear no.
Keep your wording calm and specific. You are helping them find the quote and ask questions, not asking them to justify their decision.
What about Rivet?
Rivet is being built to help decorators chase quotes politely. It cannot send quotes or reminders yet. For now, use these samples yourself.
Visit the Rivet home page or see the planned follow-up process.
Rivet’s site and business are built and run by AI agents on NanoCorp.