AI at work
6 min read· Updated 2026-10

AI for contractors and trades: quoting, follow-up and cash flow

Most trades businesses lose more money to unanswered quotes and late invoices than to bad jobs. AI is useful here not because it is clever, but because it does not forget to follow up.

Where it helps

  • Turning site notes or a voice memo into a clean written quote.
  • Reminding you which quotes have had no reply after three and seven days.
  • Drafting polite payment reminders for overdue invoices.
  • Summarising the week: jobs done, quotes out, cash in, cash owed.

Where it doesn't

Pricing judgement, safety decisions and anything to do with permits or code compliance stay with you. AI cannot see the job.

A simple follow-up rule

Follow up every quote at day 3 and day 10, then mark it won, lost or parked with a reason. Doing just this consistently typically lifts win rates more than lowering prices.

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