8 prompts from real client work, for general contractors, trades & home service businesses. Every prompt tells you when to use it: fill in the brackets, paste it into ChatGPT or Claude, and send. Free, no account needed.
Close
Quote Follow-Up: Sent But No Response
Use 3-5 days after sending a quote that has gone unanswered. Most contractors send one quote and never follow up: this is where jobs are lost.
Write a follow-up message to [Client Name] who received a quote from [Company Name] for [job type, e.g. roof replacement, bathroom renovation, HVAC install] [X days] ago. Do not ask "did you get a chance to look at it." Instead: reaffirm one specific thing about the job we discussed, note that our schedule is filling for [month], and make it easy to proceed. Reply yes, give us a call, or ask any questions. Tone: confident professional, not desperate. Under 100 words. Text or email format.
Prospect
Job Inquiry Response: First Contact
Use when responding to a new lead inquiry: website form, referral, or ad lead. Speed and professionalism in this first reply wins more jobs than anything else.
Write a first-contact response from [Company Name] to a new inquiry from [Client Name] who is looking for [service type, e.g. kitchen renovation, electrical panel upgrade, fence installation] at [location if known]. Confirm we received their inquiry. Ask 2-3 qualifying questions to understand scope: [e.g. timeline, property type, any existing work done]. Offer a clear next step: a free site visit or estimate call. Tone: professional, organised, responsive. Under 120 words. This response should make them feel like they contacted the right company.
Retain
Review Request: After Job Completion
Send within 24 hours of completing a job. Google reviews for contractors are the single highest-converting marketing asset: more than ads, more than referrals in many markets.
Write a review request text message from [Company Name] to [Client Name] after completing [job type] at their property. Thank them for choosing us. Make leaving a review easy. Include a direct Google review link. Give them 3 prompts they can use if they are not sure what to write: quality of work, cleanliness and respect for the property, communication throughout. Tone: grateful and straightforward. Under 80 words. Text message format. Keep it simple enough that it does not feel like a template.
Retain
Referral Request: Happy Customer
Use 1-2 weeks after a completed job when the client is satisfied and has had time to see the finished work. Referred leads from tradespeople close at 3-5x the rate of cold leads.
Write a referral request text or email to [Client Name] whose [job type] was completed about [X weeks] ago by [Company Name]. Ask if they are happy with the work. If yes, ask simply: do they know any neighbours, family, or friends who might be looking for a similar job. Keep it short and casual, not a formal referral program. Offer something if appropriate: [e.g. a small discount on future work / priority scheduling]. Tone: local business owner, not corporate. Under 80 words.
Close
Upsell: Additional Work Spotted On-Site
Use when you notice additional work that needs doing while on a job. This is the highest-margin sales opportunity in the trades, and most contractors handle it awkwardly. This prompt makes it professional.
Write a message from [Tradesperson Name] at [Company Name] to [Client Name] mentioning additional work identified while completing their current job: [describe what was found, e.g. water damage behind the wall, outdated wiring in the panel, cracked flashing on the roof]. Explain what it is, why it matters, and what happens if it is left unaddressed. Offer a rough estimate or next step. Do not pressure. Give them the information and let them decide. Tone: honest expert, not salesperson. Under 130 words.
Close
Objection Handler: Your Price Is Too High
Use when a prospect says you are more expensive than another quote. Do not immediately discount: defend your value first.
Write a confident, respectful response to a potential client who says our quote is higher than a competitor. Do not apologise for the price or immediately offer a discount. Instead: acknowledge the difference, explain 2-3 specific reasons why our pricing reflects quality: [e.g. licensed and insured, warranty on labour, materials we use, timeline we commit to, cleanup included]. Offer to walk them through the quote line by line if they want to compare. Tone: confident tradesperson who stands behind their work. Under 150 words.
Retain
Project Delay: Client Communication
Use when a job is delayed due to weather, materials, subcontractor, or permit issues. How you communicate delays determines whether the client stays loyal or leaves a bad review.
Write a professional update message from [Company Name] to [Client Name] explaining a delay in their [project type] due to [reason, e.g. material delivery delay, permit approval wait, weather]. Be honest about the new expected timeline: [date]. Apologise briefly without over-explaining. Tell them exactly what happens next and when they will hear from us again. Tone: accountable and transparent, not defensive. Under 120 words. This message should leave them more confident in us, not less.
Nurture
Seasonal Outreach: Past Customer Campaign
Use in spring and fall to re-engage past customers with seasonal service reminders. Past customers are 5x more likely to hire you again than a cold lead.
Write a seasonal outreach message from [Company Name] to past customers for [season, e.g. spring: deck repair and exterior painting / fall: furnace service and weatherproofing / summer: AC tune-up and roofing inspection]. Reference the work we did for them previously if possible: [e.g. we renovated your kitchen last spring]. Remind them of common seasonal maintenance needs relevant to [their property type / region]. Include a soft CTA: call or text to book, or reply to get a quote. Tone: neighbourhood contractor checking in, not mass marketing. Under 120 words.