Follow-Up Automation for Contractors: Stop Losing Warm Leads
You sent the estimate, they said "sounds good, let me think" — and then nothing. Most of those leads never chose a competitor. They got busy, and nobody reminded them. Follow-up isn't nagging; it's finishing conversations you already paid to start.
A cadence that works (and doesn't annoy)
The 3-touch baseline
Touch 1 — minutes after the lead: confirm you got it, offer times.
Touch 2 — next day: short check-in, restate the value, one question.
Touch 3 — day 3–4: final friendly nudge, easy exit.
Then stop. A lead that ignored three good messages needs a human or a pause — not a fourth template.
Touch 1
“Hi {Name}, this is {Business Name}. We got your request about {Service} — want us to text you a couple of appointment options?”
Touch 2
“Hi {Name}, {Business Name} here — still need help with {Service}? We can usually get someone out fast.”
Touch 3
“Last check-in from {Business Name} — if you still need help with {Service}, just reply here and we'll take care of you.”
The rules that make it safe
◆Stop instantly when they reply — a human takes over the conversation.
◆Stop instantly when they book — the reminder flow takes it from there.
◆STOP always works, is honored immediately, and is logged.
◆No messages during quiet hours (evenings/nights in the customer's timezone).
◆Text only people who gave you their number for this — consent is the foundation.
Common mistakes
◆Following up only when the office remembers (busy weeks are exactly when leads leak).
◆One giant paragraph instead of three short touches.
◆Chasing forever — after the cadence, park it for a seasonal re-touch instead.
◆No tracking, so nobody knows which leads got touch 2 and 3.
How to fix it in 30 days
Put every new lead into an automatic cadence that stops on reply, booking, or opt-out — and see sent/answered/booked numbers on one weekly report. That's the core of our Lead Recovery Pilot.