Rehash and bid recovery by text

Unsold estimate follow-up: how to win back the bids you already gave

Unsold estimate follow-up (also called rehash or bid recovery) means going back to homeowners who got a price and didn't sign. Setterly runs it by two-way AI text: it re-opens the conversation, answers questions and books a return visit or call with your rep.

You pay per booked appointment, with no setup fee and no retainer.

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Updated October 22, 2026

At a glance

Rehash is following up unsold estimates to re-book a meeting or close the job.
Most follow-up stops too early. Several touches over one to three weeks work better than one call.
Text gets read. Short, specific messages about the actual estimate get replies.
Setterly runs rehash by two-way AI text on your unsold estimates and books appointments, paid per booked appointment.

What is a rehash program?

A rehash program is a structured way to follow up unsold estimates. Builder Prime defines rehash as following up on unsold estimates (Builder Prime), ServiceTitan's contractor playbook describes a dedicated follow-up coordinator (ServiceTitan), and some companies call it bid recovery (Aptly Able).

The idea is simple: a homeowner who let you into their home and got a price is the warmest lead you have. Most of them didn't say no. They're waiting on a spouse, a second quote, financing or a better month.

How many times should you follow up an estimate?

More than most teams do, and sooner. Hatch, an AI follow-up vendor, analyzed 163,212 HVAC estimate follow-up campaigns that started two days after the estimate and found an average response rate of 60%, with the best campaigns text-led, short and spread over about a week (Hatch, vendor study). The pattern matches what sales teams report: one call and a voicemail is not follow-up.

A sensible starting cadence for unsold estimates:

Day	Touch	Purpose
1 to 2	Thank-you and "any questions?" text	Keep the door open
4 to 5	Specific follow-up about their project	Get a reply
10	Something useful: financing, lead times, a seasonal angle	Give a reason to act
21	Direct question: keep the estimate open?	Get a clear yes or no
45 to 90	Re-open for estimates that went quiet	Catch changed plans

Adjust to your trade. Respect quiet hours and state limits on frequency (compliance).

What should an estimate follow-up text say?

Short, specific and easy to answer. Mention the actual estimate and give them an easy way to say no. Examples (adapt to your business; every message needs your business name and an opt-out):

Hi [First name], it's [Business]. Just checking in on the roof estimate we gave you last month. Any questions I can answer? Reply STOP to opt out.

Hi [First name], [Business] here. Are you still planning the bathroom remodel, or did you go another way? Either answer helps. Reply STOP to opt out.

Hi [First name], it's [Business]. We have install dates opening up next month. Want me to hold one while you decide? Reply STOP to opt out.

Avoid discounts in the first message; they train homeowners to wait for a better offer. More examples in our estimate follow-up text templates.

How does Setterly run estimate follow-up?

You export unsold estimates with what each homeowner was quoted for. The AI sends the first message, holds the conversation when they reply (questions on price, financing, timing, "we're getting other quotes") and books a return visit or a call with your rep. Bookings go into your calendar with notes.

It works best for trades with high-value, considered jobs: roofing, HVAC, solar, windows and doors, bath remodeling and kitchen remodeling. Work out what unsold estimates are worth to you with the cost per booked job calculator.

Home improvement results (UK campaigns)

These are live Setterly campaigns for UK businesses, shown as reported (UK figures, in pounds). Every business that sells to homeowners or car buyers works the same way: leads go cold, the AI re-opens the conversation by two-way text and books the appointment.

Cloudy2Clear

A UK misted double glazing repair franchise

Appointments booked: 673
Leads worked: 6,769
Reply rate: 64%
Closed revenue: £107,000+

Read the case study

A UK electric heating company

First 30 days (live 15 September 2026)

Home surveys booked: 105
Pipeline: £630,000

A single-branch UK window and door installer

First 30 days

Appointments booked: 22
Reply rate: 41%
Closed revenue: £31,483
Paid to Setterly: £1,520

Read the case study

A UK solar installer

Appointments booked: 28
Leads worked: 563
Reply rate: 50%
Pipeline: £224,000

A UK blinds company

Appointments booked: 51
Leads worked: 736
Reply rate: 66%
Pipeline: £122,400

A UK boiler and home cover company

Appointments booked: 35
Leads worked: 693
Reply rate: 58%
Pipeline: £70,000

Pipeline = appointments booked x the client's average order value.

All results

Real conversations from UK campaigns

Anonymized text threads from live Setterly campaigns, from the first message to a booked appointment or callback.

09:415G

Setterly AI

SMS Conversation

Hi it’s Alex. Is this the same Mark who was interested in double glazing repair earlier this month?

2 days later

Hey Mark, just checking my last message got through, are you still looking to get your repair sorted?

Hi Alex, still looking. It’s for one window unit in a multi-panel wooden frame conservatory. It’s misting and would need either a reseal of the existing unit or a new one to the same dimensions, especially the thickness. If someone could give me a call re a quote. Thanks, Mark.

Thanks for all the detail, Mark. Quick one before I get the call sorted, are you hoping to have the work carried out within the next 6 weeks?

If possible but no great urgency and depends on cost.

That’s completely fine, no rush. Roughly when would you like to get started, this month or later in the year?

This or next month while the weather is ok.

Let’s get you booked in for a call with our team. I’ve got tomorrow at 10:30am or 2:00pm, would either suit? The call’s just to go over your enquiry and next steps.

10:30 will be fine.

Great, you’re booked in. The team will call to go over everything and get things moving.

Appointment booked

Home improvement (windows)

Answered a detailed technical question and booked a survey call.

How much does Setterly cost?

You pay per booked appointment. There is no setup fee and no retainer. CRM integration is optional and carries a one-off fee, agreed with you before any work starts.

See how pay per appointment works and how we handle texting compliance, or book a 30-minute call. US line: +1 363-203-5214.

Related pages and guides

Frequently asked questions

What is unsold estimate follow-up?

Following up homeowners who received an estimate and didn't sign, to re-book a meeting or close the job. It is also called rehash or bid recovery.

How soon should I follow up an estimate?

Within a day or two, then several more times over the following weeks. One call and a voicemail is rarely enough.

Is text better than calling?

Text gets read and is easy to answer at a convenient time. Many teams use text to re-open the conversation and a call to run the appointment.

How old can an unsold estimate be?

Estimates from the last few months to a couple of years can still book, as long as consent and opt-outs are checked first.

How much does Setterly charge?

You pay per booked appointment. There is no setup fee and no retainer. CRM integration is optional and carries a one-off fee.

Do you replace my sales team?

No. Setterly books the appointment; your rep runs it.

Sources

Setterly figures come from live client campaigns in the UK. Third-party figures belong to their publishers; vendor figures are marked as such. Compliance notes are general information, not legal advice.

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