Where these jobs get lost
After the survey, before the quote. If your quote takes a week, the customer has already had another firm out.
While the grant is being applied for. The customer is waiting on SEAI. You’re waiting on the customer. Nobody’s talking. When the approval comes, they go with whoever is in touch that week.
When the approval lands. This is the moment. If you don’t know it’s landed, you can’t act on it.
When the timeline slips. A spring install becomes autumn. Nobody tells you, and by autumn you’re forgotten.
How to keep them
- Quote within 48 hours of the survey. Even a “here’s the range, the full quote follows” message.
- Ask the grant question straight out: “Have you applied yet? When do you expect to hear?” Write the answer down.
- Check in when they expect to hear. “Did the grant approval come through?” is the most useful message you’ll send on a grant job.
- Check in again when it’s approved: “Great news. Want to lock in a date?”
- If it slips, stay in touch monthly. One line, no pressure.
The point
Grant jobs get lost in the gaps. Keep the conversation going through the gaps and you’re the firm that’s there when the yes arrives.