Nine missed-call texts you can steal.

We sell a system that does this properly. We're still going to give you the templates, because a contractor sending a decent text manually is better off than one sending nothing, and because you'll write better wording with us later if you've already seen what does and doesn't get replies.

Four rules that decide whether anyone answers

Name the business in the first four words. An unidentified text from an unknown number reads as spam and gets deleted without being read.

Ask exactly one question. Two questions get one answer, usually to the wrong one. Ask the question that changes what you do next.

Give a reason you didn't pick up. "We're on a job" is enough. It converts a snub into a normal human situation.

Never apologise twice. One short apology reads as professional. Two reads as unreliable.

General purpose

Hi, this is [Business] — sorry we couldn't grab that, we're on a job. What do you need done, and what part of town are you in? I'll come straight back to you.

Plumbing

Hi, [Business] here — we're on a call and couldn't answer. Is this an emergency (active leak or no water) or something we can book in? Send your address either way and I'll tell you the soonest we can be there.

HVAC

Hi, it's [Business] — out on calls, couldn't pick up. Quick one so we can triage: no heat right now, or running but not right? And roughly how old is the unit?

Electrical

Hi, [Business] — couldn't grab that one, sorry. Is this a repair (something stopped working) or an install you're planning? And what's the address so I can check we cover it?

Roofing

Hi, this is [Business] — we're up on a job and couldn't answer. Is this an active leak, or are you after a replacement quote? If it's leaking, tell me where and we'll get someone by.

Garage doors

Hi, [Business] — on a call, couldn't pick up. Is the door stuck open, stuck shut, or is a car trapped inside? Send your address and I'll tell you the first slot today.

Landscaping

Hi, this is [Business] — we're on a site and couldn't answer. Are you after maintenance for the season, a one-time cleanup, or a design quote? And what's the property address?

After hours

Hi, this is [Business]. We're done for the day but we've got your number. If it's an emergency, reply EMERGENCY and it'll come through to me. Otherwise I'll call you first thing — what's the job?

Booked solid

Hi, [Business] here — we're booked out about [two weeks] right now, so I want to be straight with you rather than waste your time. If that timeline works, tell me what you need and I'll hold you a slot. If not, no hard feelings.

Where templates stop working

A template sends one message. The job gets booked in the third or fourth, when you answer their question about timing and they answer yours about the address. Doing that by hand across a week's worth of missed calls is a part-time job.

That's the honest difference between a template and a system: the template starts the conversation and you finish it, if you remember and have the time. Here's what the full version does.

One legal note before you send anything at scale: replying to someone who just called you is a different situation from messaging a list. The consent rules are here.