“We tried to reach you” texts that get a reply
You called the lead back in four minutes and they did not pick up. Most contractors leave a voicemail nobody listens to and move on. The text you send in the next 30 seconds is the difference between a booked job and a lead that paid for someone else’s truck.
What should you text a lead who did not answer your callback?
Text within 30 seconds of the unanswered call, from your name, say why you called in one line, and end with a question they can answer in one word or a tap: “Is today or tomorrow better?” Never “please call us back”. Blazeo’s 2026 data has 74% of businesses missing the five-minute window on new leads; the text keeps you inside it even when the call fails. Send one follow-up the next morning, then stop or hand to the estimate sequence.
Why the callback text beats the voicemail
Most people under 50 do not listen to voicemail from unknown numbers, and most leads are calling three companies. Hatch’s 2026 data: fewer than 3% of callers who reach voicemail leave one, and the same reluctance applies in reverse when you leave one for them. A text is read within minutes, it shows your name and company, and it gives them a way to answer without a phone call they may not be able to take at work.
The mistake is sending a text that asks for effort: “Please call us back at your convenience.” That moves the work to them. The text that works does the work for them: here is why I called, here are two options, tap one.
Six versions for six situations
Replace the brackets. Say them out loud once; if it does not sound like you, change the words, not the structure.
New web or phone lead, no answer on callback
“Hi [First name], it’s [Name] from [Company]. Just tried calling about your [AC / drain / roof] request. Is today or tomorrow better for a visit? Reply with a day and I will send two times.”
Angi, Thumbtack or Google LSA lead
“Hi [First name], [Name] at [Company], you requested a [plumber] through [Angi]. I called but missed you. We are licensed, local to [City], and can be there [tomorrow morning]. Want me to hold it?”
Estimate booked, confirming the visit
“Hi [First name], [Name] here. Tried to confirm [Tech]’s visit tomorrow between [9 and 11am] at [address]. Reply OK if that still works, or CHANGE for a new time.”
Parts arrived or job ready to schedule
“Good news [First name], the [compressor / panel] came in. Tried calling to book the install. We have [Thursday] or [Friday] open. Which works?”
They asked for a callback and missed it
“Hi [First name], you asked us to call at [3pm], I tried and missed you. I am free until [5] today or anytime tomorrow morning. What is easier for you?”
After-hours lead, callback not possible until morning
“Hi [First name], [Name] at [Company]. Saw your request come in tonight. You are first on my list at [7:30am]. If it is urgent now, reply URGENT and I will call you back tonight.”
Trade-specific versions
| Trade | What changes | Line to add |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Mention the heat and a same-day window in summer | “Hot one today; I can get a tech to you by [4pm].” |
| Plumbing | Ask whether water is still a problem | “If anything is still leaking, reply URGENT and I will call right back.” |
| Electrical | Offer the estimate visit, not a phone quote | “Panel work needs a look in person; the visit is free. Tomorrow or Thursday?” |
| Roofing | Lead with local and free inspection | “We are [City]-based, inspection is free, I can come [tomorrow].” |
| Landscaping | Offer to quote from a photo to lower the bar | “Send a photo of the yard and I can rough out a price tonight.” |
| Cleaning | Give the price range and two slots immediately | “A [3-bed] deep clean is about $[325]. Thursday 9am or Friday 1pm?” |
What makes it work
- Thirty seconds, not thirty minutes. Send it while the missed call is still on their screen.
- Your name first. Unknown-number texts from “[Company]” get ignored; texts from “Mike at [Company]” get read.
- One question, two options. “Today or tomorrow?” gets an answer. “Let me know what works” does not.
- Never “please call us back”. If they wanted to call, they would have picked up.
- Two touches, then hand off. The callback text and one next-morning follow-up; after that the estimate sequence or the lost-lead tag takes over.
Texas notes
A callback text goes to someone who contacted you first, so it is consent-based and exempt from SB 140 registration under the November 2025 settlement; the after-hours version can be sent at night because they reached out tonight, but your own next-morning follow-up waits for 9am. Add the licence number when the trade requires it in advertising. Texas SB 140 (effective 1 September 2025) treats texts to prospects as telephone solicitation, so send between 9am and 9pm (noon to 9pm Sunday); contact with people who reached out first is exempt from registration under the November 2025 settlement. Texas is one-party consent for recording.
How we automate it
Trigger from the call log
Outbound call to a lead with status no answer or voicemail → wait 30 seconds → send the matching text, chosen by the lead’s source tag (web, Angi, LSA, callback request).
Pull two real slots
The text offers two openings from the right calendar so the reply can book without a human.
Stop on reply
Any reply pauses the workflow and lands in Conversations; a day name or YES creates the booking.
Next-morning follow-up
If no reply, one more text at 9am from the same person, then hand off to the estimate sequence or tag as lost with reason No response.
Questions owners ask
How soon should I text after an unanswered callback?
Within 30 seconds, while the missed call is still on their screen. Automate it from the call status so it never depends on remembering.
Should I leave a voicemail too?
A short one does no harm, but fewer than 3% of people act on voicemail from an unknown number. The text is what gets the reply.
What should the text ask?
One question with two options: today or tomorrow, morning or afternoon, Thursday or Friday.
How many times should I try?
The callback text plus one next-morning follow-up. After that, hand the lead to the estimate sequence or tag it lost.
Should it come from me or the company?
You, by name. Named senders roughly double reply rates.
Can I text an Angi or LSA lead?
Yes. They requested a contractor, which is consent-based contact. Say which platform in the text so they recognise you.
Is it legal to text at night in Texas?
If they contacted you tonight, your reply is consent-based and fine. Your own follow-ups the next day should wait for 9am.
What if they reply “not interested”?
Thank them, tag the reason, stop. A polite exit earns referrals later.
Can an AI send these?
Yes. The workflow picks the version by lead source and offers two live slots; a human only steps in when the reply needs one.
What is a good reply rate?
Well-timed callback texts with a two-option question get 30 to 50% replies in our client data; “please call us back” texts get under 10%.
Next pages
Sources
- Blazeo, Speed to Lead 2026: 74% of businesses miss the five-minute window.
- Hatch, Speed to Lead Statistics 2026: under 3% of callers leave voicemail.
- Home Showoff, Angi lead distribution 2026: 3–5 contractors per lead.
- Texas SB 140 (1 Sep 2025); Texas AG settlement Nov 2025.
Want the callback text sent automatically every time a lead does not pick up?
We wire it to your call log, write the six versions in your voice, pull live slots into the text and route the replies into bookings.