The Hidden Cost of Delayed Estimates
Every day you delay an estimate, your close rate drops. Here's the math on what slow quoting costs.
January 19, 20265 min read
The Hidden Cost of Delayed Estimates
You sent 20 quotes last month. Closed 4.
With faster quotes, you'd have closed 8.
Same leads. Half the revenue because of timing.
The Decay Curve
| Time to Quote | Close Rate |
|---|---|
| Same hour | 45% |
| Same day | 35% |
| Next day | 25% |
| 2-3 days | 15% |
| 4+ days | 8% |
Every day of delay costs 10-15% close rate.
The Monthly Math
20 quotes at slow pace (25% close): 5 jobs
20 quotes at fast pace (40% close): 8 jobs
3 extra jobs × $500 = $1,500/month lost to slow quoting
That's $18,000/year.
Why Quotes Get Delayed
- "I'll do it when I get home" (forget)
- Waiting for "perfect" quote (unnecessary)
- Too busy on jobs (no system)
The Fix
Speed is money. Every hour counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does each day of delay cost?
Roughly 10-15% drop in close rate per day of delay.
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