When a homeowner calls your roofing company and you can’t pick up, you have a short window before they call someone else. A quick text back is the easiest way to keep that lead.
But what should the text actually say? Below are 12 templates you can copy, sorted by situation. Swap in your company name and adjust the wording so it sounds like you.
The rules of a good missed call text
Before the templates, four quick rules:
- Say who you are. The homeowner might be calling five roofers. Put your company name first.
- Keep it short. Two or three sentences. This is a text, not an email.
- Ask one easy question. “How can we help?” or “What’s going on with your roof?” gets far more replies than a wall of information.
- Sound like a person. No ALL CAPS, no exclamation-mark overload, no corporate speak.
Standard missed call texts
1. The classic
Hi, this is [Company]. Sorry we missed your call, we’re on a roof right now. How can we help?
2. With a booking option
Hi, this is [Company]. Sorry we missed you! Text us back with what’s going on, or book a free roof inspection here: [link]
3. Personal touch (owner-operator)
Hey, it’s [Name] from [Company]. I’m up on a job and couldn’t grab the phone. What can I help you with? I’ll get back to you shortly.
4. Question-led
Thanks for calling [Company]! We’re on a job right now. Is this about a repair, a leak or a full roof replacement?
Template 4 works well because it’s easy to answer with one word, and it tells you what kind of lead it is before you call back.
After-hours texts
5. Evening
Hi, this is [Company]. Our crew is done for the day, but we got your call. Text us what’s going on and we’ll reach out first thing tomorrow morning.
6. Weekend
Thanks for calling [Company]! We’re closed today, but we’ll call you back Monday morning. If it’s urgent, like an active leak, text “URGENT” and we’ll do our best to help sooner.
Only use template 6 if you really do respond to urgent texts. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.
Storm season texts
7. High call volume
Hi, this is [Company]. We’re getting a lot of calls after the storm and missed yours, sorry! Reply with your address and what you’re seeing, and we’ll get you on the inspection schedule.
8. Active leak
This is [Company]. Sorry we missed you. If water is coming in, put a bucket down and move valuables away from the area. Text us your address and we’ll get someone out as soon as we can.
Storm season is when missed call texts matter most. More on that in our storm season playbook.
Follow-up texts (if they don’t reply)
9. Same day, a few hours later
Hi, just following up from [Company]. Still need help with your roof? Happy to set up a free inspection.
10. Next day
Hi, it’s [Company] again. Wanted to make sure you got taken care of. If you still need a roofer, we have inspection times open this week: [link]
Stop after one or two follow-ups. If they don’t reply, move them to a longer, gentler follow-up sequence instead.
Booking and confirmation texts
11. Booking link after they reply
Great, thanks! You can pick a time for your free inspection here: [link]. We’ll text you a reminder the day before.
12. Inspection reminder
Hi [First name], reminder from [Company]: your free roof inspection is tomorrow at [time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting too long. A text sent two hours later is a lot less useful than one sent in seconds.
- Sending from a personal number with no name. The homeowner won’t know who you are.
- Pushing for a sale right away. The first text should just open the conversation.
- Ignoring STOP. If someone replies STOP, stop texting them. Read our guide on texting rules for roofers for the basics.
Make it automatic
These templates work best when they go out instantly, every time, without you touching your phone. That’s exactly what missed call text back in A.C.E. does: when you miss a call, the homeowner gets your text within seconds, and every reply lands in one inbox with the lead.