How to use Texting to Get more Home Improvement Customers, Reviews, and Referrals

Most people can acquire a new customer with a phone call, video call, or on-site meeting, but what if a person consistently texts before or after your first call? In this article, we’ll give you example text message outreach responses that can help you with your closing rates, revenues, referrals, and online reviews.

Topics you will learn:

1. 15 Stats on the power of sales texting
2. 4 Reasons why texting is better than email
3. Initial Contact: Responding Quickly
4. Follow-Up Text Guidance
5. Appointment Reminder Texts
6. Overcoming Objections through Text
7. Bid, Estimate, and Contract Texting
8. Texting for Reviews and Referrals

15 Stats on the Power of Texting to Closing Deals

Incorporating text messaging into your sales strategy can unlock tremendous value. Here are 15 actionable text message statistics that illustrate

why SMS should be a key part of your outreach efforts:

1. 98% of texts are opened, far surpassing the 20% open rate of emails.
2. 90% of SMS messages are read within three minutes.
3. Texts see a 45% response rate, compared to email’s 6%.
4. 67% of people prefer texting for simple communication over email or phone.
5. People respond to texts within 90 seconds, while emails take 90 minutes.
6. SMS campaigns deliver click-through rates of 19-36%, far exceeding email averages.
7. Appointment reminders via text reduce no-shows by up to 50%.
8. 82% of people open every text they receive.
9. 39% of businesses use SMS for customer service and sales outreach.
10. 54% of consumers welcome promotional texts.
11. 75% of customers prefer two-way SMS conversations with businesses.
12. 95% of customers engage with loyalty programs when updates are sent via SMS
13. SMS helps reduce email fatigue and improve engagement.
14. Businesses can save 30-40% on marketing expenses by using SMS.
15. 68% of customers prefer urgent updates via SMS over emails or phone calls.



Stats found via: Text-Them-All, Avochato

For many service businesses, the allure of Instagram is strong. It's full of beautiful pictures, trendy influencers, and viral videos. Instagram won’t get you the leads that Local SEO, Website SEO, Paid Ads, and Online Reviews will. It should only be looked at as an additional branding tool that provides links to your more prosperous channels. Here’s why:

4 Reasons why Texting Is Better than Sales Email

More Personable and Immediate

How do you contact friends and family? Yep, you text or call. Text messages are more personal and fast, and for these reasons, they have an open rate of 98%​ , compared to email open rates of 15-30% at best.

Easier for Follow-Up Calls

With texting, confusion can be resolved effortlessly. If a customer doesn’t fully understand the text message, calling them to clarify feels natural and not intrusive. The familiarity established through text messaging bridges communication and makes follow-ups via phone calls smoother and more welcomed.

No Risk to Domain Reputation with Text Messaging

Emails can get flagged as spam, harming your domain reputation and online presence. Even with DMARC, SPF, and DKIM protocols in place, unauthenticated emails may still end up in spam folders, reducing reach and deliverability.

Yes, our email can get reported as Junk, but it’s not hurting your website’s domain through the DMARC listing of emails. 

With texting, businesses can build relationships and boost engagement without managing technical authentication. Texts also offer higher response rates, making them a powerful tool for follow-ups and outreach efforts.

Faster Turnaround, Faster Growth

The average person responds to a business-related email in 2 hours, while text message response time is 90 seconds or less! This means they respond faster to text messages and you have to as well. Here’s some col

Following Up After an Initial Call or Quote

Most local customers need 5-12 engagements, 5-12 texts, or a combination of calls, texts, and bids. So, keep texting or calling until you get a yes or no response. Make your responses about helping them, but don’t appear desperate.

 Clearly outline your requirements to elevate your brand in their eyes. When you do this, we’ve seen our customers get 5-star reviews from people who never hired them but loved their honesty and helpfulness. 

3-Text Campaign in a Single Day

• "Hi [Name], It was great speaking with you about your roof replacement. Let me know if you have any further questions or if you wish to proceed with a quote.” 
• The next text could be, “Hi _______, I haven’t heard back from you, and my schedule is filling up. Have you found a roofing company yet?”
• Then at the end of the day, “Hi _____, I’m guessing you found someone to help. Great! I’ll take you off our list. If you need anything else in the future, let us know.”
  

Appointment Reminders

Reduce no-shows by sending polite reminders a day or two before scheduled meetings. If you have a CRM, you should automate them in the system to make it easier for you. 

Reminder Email #1

• "Hi [Name], quick reminder our Team Member at ____________(your company) will be at your home at ____. tomorrow

Reminder Email #2

• "Hi [Name], this is a quick reminder that our Team Member from___________(your company) will be at your home at ____ today. If you have questions or changes, text or call this number.” Usually, send this about two hours before, as people have kids, pets, and a life outside their repair, installation, or onsite estimate.

Handling Objections and Building Trust

Overcoming objections can lead to a 64% growth in new customers. 

Overcome Pricing with Quality through Text

"Hi __________, I get your shopping around for the best price, but don’t forget about quality. We have a lot of reviews online from people like you who got their _______ (roof, gutter, HVAC) one and done. Here’s a link to see their results.”

Overcome Immediate Need 

"I understand; I wish we could begin today/tomorrow, but being the best _____ company in ______ means our schedule is usually booked out 1-5 days. Can I put you on the schedule for _______ at ________?”

Overcome Immediate Need #2

"We’re excited about helping you with you _________, but the parts and materials won’t be here until _______. Can I schedule for you ______ at ______?” 

Use this one if you don’t have the materials, ’re booked solid, and don’t want to go the #1 _______ company in the area response. This is a business and branding decision.

Texting Bids and Estimates

Texting makes it super easy to handle agreements with homeowners. After you send the agreement by email, shoot them a quick text like, 

• “Hey [Customer Name], just sent over your agreement! Let me know if you have any questions.” 
• “Didn’t hear back from you. Was there something you needed clarification on in my _________ (bid/estimate/agreement)? If so, we can join a call. Let me know?”
• “Hey _____, quick update: I’ve got another customer who wants that date to start, but you came first. Are you still interested?”
  

Referrals and Reviews through Customer Texting

Everyone knows the best new client is from an existing client; 92% of customers will trust a referral over online reviews alone. Here are some suggestions to get more referrals from past customers:

5-Star Text

TEXT ONE: " Hey ________, it’s _______ from ___________. I hope you’re still enjoying your ________. Can you do me a favor? 

TEXT TWO: “If you think I deserve a 5-star rating, could you click this link and tell me why?”

TEXT THREE: “If I don’t, please call me, and I’ll run out and fix or do whatever you need to make you happy. Thanks!”

Text for More Referrals

Now, Referral texts should be sent to replace someone who doesn’t give reviews or 1-3 months after a review. Don’t ask someone to do two favors for you right after work. 

REPLACEMENT TEXT FOR REVIEWS:  " Hey ________, it’s _______ from ___________. I hope you’re still enjoying your ________. I’d like to ask a favor. If anyone you know needs ______, could you possibly three-way text us? I liked working for you and Birds of a Feather, you know. Thanks!”

1-3 MONTHS AFTER A REVIEW: “Hey ____, it’s _____ from _______. If you hear anyone needing ________, please consider a 3-way text with you, me and them. We liked working for you and want more customers just like you. Thanks!”

Quick Summary

This article explores how texting can boost sales, referrals, and reviews for home improvement businesses. It highlights why SMS is more effective than email, with texts achieving a 98% open rate and response times averaging 90 seconds. Topics include strategies for initial contact, follow-ups, appointment reminders, handling objections, and sending bids or contracts. The article also provides real-world examples, such as 3-text campaigns, to keep leads engaged and build trust. Finally, it explains how to use text messages to gather 5-star reviews and referrals, emphasizing that consistent, friendly communication can strengthen relationships and grow your business.