Quote to cash in under 7 days: the workflow that pays you faster

Most UK trades wait 30 to 45 days to get paid. The fastest operators have cut that to under 7. The difference is not luck or a better customer base — it is a deliberate workflow that removes friction at every step. Here is the exact sequence.

Step 1: Same-day, mobile-first quotes Send the quote before you have left the driveway. Branded, itemised, with a clear scope and a single tap to accept. Acceptance rates jump 30 to 50% when the customer can sign on their phone without printing, scanning or emailing anything back.

Keep the quote scannable: headline price, what is included, what is not, expected start date, payment terms.

Step 2: E-signature, not "reply to confirm" A typed name plus a timestamped IP is legally binding in England and Wales under the Electronic Communications Act 2000. It also creates an audit trail you can produce if a dispute arises.

Step 3: Auto-schedule on acceptance The moment they e-sign, the job lands on your scheduler with the customer, property and parts list attached. No re-keying. The customer gets an immediate confirmation email with the booked date.

Step 4: Deposit on booking (where appropriate) For jobs over £500, take a deposit at the point of acceptance. A simple "Pay 25% deposit to secure your booking" button drops drop-offs and gives you positive cashflow before you turn a wrench.

Step 5: Invoice from the van Mark the job complete on your phone, attach before/after photos, and an invoice fires automatically with an online "Pay now" button. Average time from job-complete to invoice-sent in TradeMatrix: under 90 seconds.

Step 6: A reminder cadence that actually works - Day 0: invoice sent with pay-now link - Day 3: friendly nudge ("just making sure this reached you") - Day 7: firm reminder with payment options - Day 14: late-payment notice referencing the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act

Most invoices are settled before the Day 7 nudge ever sends. The system does the chasing for you, in a tone you have approved, while you stay on tools.

The compound effect: a working week of cash on the books instead of a month of WIP. For sub-contractors, pair this with our [CIS invoicing guide](/blog/cis-invoicing-uk-trades) so your deductions are clean from day one.