How to Text a Quote to a Client (and Get It Signed Faster)
October 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Most homeowners check their texts long before they open their email. If your estimate sits in an inbox while another contractor's quote lands on their phone, you are already behind. Here is how to send quotes by text the right way, what to put in the message, and the mistakes that cost jobs.
Why send estimates by text?
- It gets seen. A text shows up on the lock screen. An email can sit under promos for days.
- It is fast. You can send it from the truck before you leave the driveway, while the job is still fresh in the client's mind.
- It is easy to act on. One tap opens the quote. If the client can sign from that same link, there is nothing to print, scan or mail back.
Send a link, not a photo or attachment
Do not text a photo of a paper estimate or a PDF attachment. Photos are hard to read, attachments often fail on phones, and neither lets the client sign. Send a short message with a link to an online proposal the client can open, read, and sign on their phone.
What to write in the text
Keep it short and personal. Use their name, name the job, and tell them the next step:
Hi Sarah, it's Mike with West Construction. Here's your quote for the deck repair we talked about today: [link]. You can review it and sign right on your phone. Any questions, just text me back.
That's it. The details belong in the proposal, not the text.
What the quote itself should include
- Your business name, logo, phone, and license number
- Clear line items with quantities and prices
- Tax and the total, with no surprises
- Your terms: deposit, payment schedule, and how long the price is good for
- A signature line the client can sign with their finger
Get permission and keep it professional
Text only clients who gave you their number for this job, and ask "Is it okay if I text you the quote?" before you leave. Send from your business number when you can, avoid late-night texts, and don't send repeated follow-ups. One friendly check-in a day or two later is plenty.
Common mistakes that lose the job
- Waiting until the weekend to "type it up"
- Sending a blurry photo of a handwritten quote
- Long texts that bury the price
- No easy way to say yes, so the client has to call you back
How to do it in Quote Commander
In Quote Commander you talk through the job, snap a few photos, and the app builds the line items from your own prices. Add the client's mobile number on the quote, tap Generate Proposal, then tap SMS. Your phone's messages app opens with the client's number and the proposal link already filled in. The client opens it, reviews it, and signs on their phone. When the job is done, you can text the invoice the same way, and the client can pay by card.
Build your first proposal free — 7 days of full access, no card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as the client gave you their number and you send a link to a clean, branded proposal rather than a photo of a paper estimate.
Send a link. Attachments can fail on phones and cannot be signed. A link opens the full proposal and lets the client sign on their phone.
Yes. With Quote Commander the text contains a link to the proposal, and the client signs it with their finger on their phone.
Put the paperwork in one place.
Create proposals, collect signatures, send invoices and keep client records in Quote Commander. New job-management tools are in preview. Solo stays $29/month and Pro $79/month, with annual options.