The booked-job playbook for trades

Fast replies and consistent follow-up help trades turn more enquiries into booked work. This short playbook gives you three ready-to-copy messages, plus a way to make each one run on its own.

The booked-job checklist

Work through these in order. Together they keep every promising enquiry moving.

• Every missed call gets an instant text back
• Every enquiry lands somewhere you'll see it (a CRM, not a memory)
• Every quote gets chased on a set schedule
• Every finished job triggers a review request
• Urgent jobs jump the queue and reach you first

The messages below cover steps 1, 3 and 4. Swap the details in brackets for your own.

1. Missed-call auto-reply

Sent by SMS after the missed-call trigger. Short, friendly and focused on the job.

Hi, this is [First name] at [Firm]. Thanks for calling. We're likely on a job. Text us what you need doing and the postcode, and we'll come straight back to you. For an emergency, reply URGENT and we'll ring as soon as we can.

Keep it: short, human and clear about what happens next. Start with one useful question.

How to automate it: connect your business phone or SIM to an SMS tool so the phone trigger sends the approved text, then route the reply into your CRM. This is the core of missed-call text-back for trades, and it's standard workflow automation. The builder-specific version shows the questions, handover and calculator in one flow.

2. Quote follow-up sequence

A short, polite follow-up helps customers decide and keeps good work moving. Use these three messages over about ten days.

Day 2: the nudge

Hi [Name], checking that you got the quote for [job] we sent on [date]. Happy to talk through anything or tweak the scope. When would suit for a quick call?

Day 5: the helpful reminder

Hi [Name], following up on your [job] quote. We've a slot opening [rough timeframe] if you'd like it holding. Any questions before you decide?

Day 10: the soft close

Hi [Name], last check-in on your [job] quote. Would you like me to hold it open, or shall I close it for now? Either is fine.

Keep it: low-pressure and useful. You're making it easy to say yes, not badgering.

How to automate it: when a quote is sent, start a timed sequence that stops the moment the customer replies or books. An AI agent can read replies and flag the ones ready to buy, so you spend time only where it counts.

3. Review-request message

Sent when a job is marked complete, using the timing and wording you approve.

Hi [Name], thanks for having us out for [job]. It was great to help. If you were happy with the work, a quick Google review would mean a lot and help other locals find us: [review link]. Cheers, [First name].

Keep it: specific to the job, warm, and one tap to act. Send it once; a single reminder a few days later is plenty.

How to automate it: trigger the message from a "job complete" status in your job or invoicing software, with the review link pre-filled and the send recorded.

How the three fit together

• Capture the enquiry (missed-call auto-reply)
• Convert it (quote follow-up)
• Compound it (review requests that bring the next caller in)

Run all three and each agreed follow-up step has a clear trigger, message and owner.

Want this built for you?

You can set these up yourself with the templates above, or have the wiring handled for you. Tell us what you want to automate and we'll map the complete booked-job system around your phone, CRM and job software in a free plan. The free Automation Scorecard will also show which change offers the strongest return.