Cold Calling Scripts for Trade Businesses: Word-for-Word Templates (2026)
Most trade businesses ignore cold calling because they think it doesn't work or feels too pushy. The truth? With the right script and approach, cold calling is the fastest way to fill your pipeline with commercial contracts and recurring maintenance work. Here are proven, word-for-word scripts UK contractors are using right now.
⚠️ Not Legal or Regulatory Compliance Advice
Regulations governing telemarketing, data protection (GDPR), and business communications are complex and carry significant penalties for non-compliance. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Before implementing any cold calling or marketing campaigns: Consult a solicitor or data protection specialist. Verify current TPS, ICO, and GDPR requirements for your specific use case. Fines for violations can reach £5,000+ per incident (TPS) or up to £17.5 million (GDPR).
Why Cold Calling Still Works in 2026
📞 Real Numbers from UK Trade Businesses
- • 40-60 calls = 1 commercial contract (average £5,000-£15,000 value)
- • 2-3 hours calling per week = 1-2 new commercial clients per month
- • Commercial contracts = 3-5x higher value than residential
- • 90% of your competitors aren't doing it (low competition)
Best Prospects for Cold Calling
1. Property Management Companies
Manage 20-200+ properties. Need reliable contractors for emergencies, maintenance, and tenant callouts. One relationship = recurring revenue.
2. Facilities Managers (Commercial Buildings)
Offices, warehouses, retail units. Budget for planned maintenance. Looking for responsive contractors who can invoice properly.
3. Estate Agents
Need contractors for pre-sale repairs, void property work, and tenant issues. Volume work at trade prices.
4. Local Businesses (Cafes, Shops, Offices)
Ongoing maintenance needs but often don't have a regular contractor. Easy to differentiate yourself by being reliable.
💡 Why It Works
Property managers and facilities managers are LOOKING for reliable contractors. Their current guy let them down, or they need backup options. A professional phone call at the right time puts you top of mind when the next job comes in.
Pre-Call Preparation Checklist
Before You Pick Up the Phone
Research the company (2 minutes)
Check their website. How many properties do they manage? What area? What services might they need? Personalize your opening.
Have your calendar open
Book the meeting DURING the call. "I'm free Tuesday at 2pm or Wednesday at 10am" converts better than "I'll email you some times."
Prepare your one-liner
"We're the emergency plumbing contractor for 15 property management companies in [area]." Make it specific and credible.
Know your ask
Goal is NOT to sell on the phone. Goal is to book a 15-minute meeting or site visit. Lower barrier = higher conversion.
Stand up while calling
Sounds weird but it works. Standing projects confidence and energy in your voice. Smile while talking—people hear it.
Residential Cold Call Script
Script for Local Homeowners
YOU:
"Hi, is this [Name]? My name's [Your Name] from [Company]. How are you today?"
[Wait for response. Be friendly but brief.]
YOU:
"Great. Quick call—I'm a local [plumber/electrician/HVAC engineer] based in [area]. We're doing some work for your neighbors on [Street Name], and I wanted to introduce myself in case you ever need any [plumbing/electrical/heating] work."
YOU:
"Do you have a regular [trade] you use, or would it be helpful if I left my details with you?"
If YES (has regular contractor):
"That's great. Well, if they're ever unavailable or you need a second opinion, feel free to give me a call. Can I send you a quick text with my details for your records?"
If NO (no regular contractor):
"Perfect. Is there anything you've been meaning to get sorted? Boiler service, leaky tap, anything like that? I'm in your area this week and could pop round for a free quote if it helps."
CLOSE (regardless of response):
"Brilliant. I'll send you a text now with my number. Save it as '[Your Name] - [Trade]' and give me a shout anytime. Thanks for your time, [Name]. Enjoy the rest of your day."
⚠️ UK Residential Cold Calling Rules
Check the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) register BEFORE calling residential numbers. Calling TPS-registered numbers can result in £5,000 fines per call. Use services like Novalocal or AnswerConnect to clean your lists against TPS.
Commercial/Property Manager Script
Script for Property Managers & Facilities Teams
GATEKEEPER (Receptionist):
"Hi, I'm calling for the person who handles [plumbing/electrical/HVAC] contractors. Who would that be?"
[They'll give you a name. Ask to be put through.]
DECISION MAKER:
"Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. I appreciate you taking my call. Do you have 30 seconds?"
[Wait for yes. If no, ask when to call back.]
YOU:
"We specialize in [emergency plumbing/planned electrical maintenance/HVAC servicing] for property management companies in [area]. We currently work with [mention 1-2 similar clients if possible], and I wanted to introduce ourselves in case you ever need a backup contractor or additional capacity."
YOU:
"Quick question—do you have a contractor you're happy with for [your trade], or are you open to having a conversation about how we could support you?"
If HAPPY with current contractor:
"That's great to hear. Most property managers we work with keep us as their backup for when their main contractor is at capacity or for out-of-hours emergencies. Would it make sense to have a quick 10-minute chat so you have our details on file for when you need us?"
If OPEN to conversation:
"Excellent. What I'd like to do is grab 15 minutes with you—either on the phone or I can pop by your office—to understand what you're looking for in a contractor, and I can explain how we work and what makes us different. Are you free Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning?"
CLOSE (after booking meeting):
"Perfect, I've got you down for [day/time]. I'll send a calendar invite with my mobile number. Looking forward to it, [Name]. Have a great day."
💡 Why This Works
You're not selling on the call. You're asking for 15 minutes. Property managers deal with contractors daily—they KNOW they need backups. Being polite, professional, and brief makes you memorable.
Follow up the call with an email summarizing your capabilities and attaching your insurance/Gas Safe certificates. This positions you as organized and professional.
Follow-Up Call Script
When Someone Expressed Interest Previously
YOU:
"Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] from [Company]. We spoke [X weeks/months] ago about potentially working together on [plumbing/electrical/HVAC]. Is now a better time to have that conversation?"
IF INTERESTED:
"Brilliant. Have you had any [trade-specific issues/emergencies] come up since we last spoke that I could help with? Or should we book that meeting we discussed?"
IF STILL NOT READY:
"No worries at all. When would be a better time to check back in with you? I'm happy to call again in [1/3/6 months] if that works better."
[Set a reminder in your CRM. Actually call back when you said you would.]
📅 Follow-Up Cadence
- • Day 0: Initial call
- • Day 1: Email with your details/certs/insurance
- • Week 2: Follow-up call if no response
- • Month 1: "Just checking in" call
- • Month 3: "Still available if needed" call
- • Month 6+: Quarterly check-ins until they say stop
Most contractors give up after 1-2 attempts. Persistence (without being annoying) wins commercial contracts.
Handling Common Objections
Objection: "We already have a contractor"
YOUR RESPONSE:
"That's great—having a reliable contractor is really important. Most of our clients keep us as their backup for emergencies or when their main contractor is at capacity. Would it make sense to have a quick 10-minute chat so you've got our details on file for when you need us?"
Objection: "Send me an email"
YOUR RESPONSE:
"Absolutely, I'll send that over today. Quick question before I do—what specifically should I include that would be most useful for you? That way I can make sure the email is relevant rather than generic."
[This gets them talking about their needs. Then book a call to discuss further.]
Objection: "We're not looking right now"
YOUR RESPONSE:
"I completely understand. Just so I don't bother you again too soon, when would be a better time? I'm happy to check back in [timeframe] if that works better for you."
[Set reminder. Actually follow up when you said. This separates you from the 99% who don't.]
Objection: "What's this regarding?" (Gatekeeper)
YOUR RESPONSE:
"It's regarding [plumbing/electrical/HVAC] contractors for your properties. Who handles that internally?"
[Keep it brief and professional. Don't oversell to the gatekeeper.]
Objection: "How did you get my number?"
YOUR RESPONSE:
"Your company's listed publicly as a property management firm in [area]. I'm calling local property managers to introduce our services. Is this something you'd be open to discussing briefly?"
Objection: "You're too expensive" (Before they even know your pricing)
YOUR RESPONSE:
"I appreciate price is important. Can I ask—what are you currently paying for [service]? That way I can be upfront about whether we're in the same ballpark or not."
[This often reveals they DON'T know what they pay. Opens door to value conversation.]
Voicemail Scripts That Get Callbacks
Commercial Voicemail Template
"Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]—we're a [trade] contractor working with property management companies in [area]. Nothing urgent, just wanted to introduce ourselves in case you ever need emergency cover or additional capacity. My number's [number]. Again, that's [Your Name] on [number]. Thanks."
Key: Keep it under 20 seconds. State your number twice. Don't oversell.
Residential Voicemail Template
"Hi, this is [Your Name], I'm a local [plumber/electrician] based in [area]. Just introducing myself to neighbors on [street name]—I'm working nearby this week. If you need any [trade] work or want my details for future, give me a call on [number]. Thanks."
📞 Voicemail Strategy
- • Leave a voicemail on the FIRST call (establishes you're real, not spam)
- • Call again 3-5 days later WITHOUT leaving a voicemail (avoids sounding desperate)
- • On 3rd attempt, leave a "final follow-up" voicemail
- • After 3 attempts with no response, add to quarterly follow-up list
Best Times to Call by Trade
| Target | Best Days | Best Times | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Managers | Tue-Thu | 9-11am | After Monday rush, before lunch chaos |
| Facilities Managers | Wed-Thu | 2-4pm | Post-lunch, before end-of-day meetings |
| Estate Agents | Mon-Wed | 10am-12pm | Between viewings, at desk doing admin |
| Residential | Tue-Thu | 6-8pm | After work, before dinner (check TPS first) |
| Small Businesses | Tue-Thu | 11am-1pm | Owner/manager likely on-site |
❌ Worst Times
- • Monday mornings (everyone's catching up from weekend)
- • Friday afternoons (mentally checked out)
- • Lunch hours 12-2pm (either away or eating at desk, don't want calls)
- • Before 9am or after 5pm commercial (seems desperate/unprofessional)
Tracking & Improving Results
Metrics to Track (Use Toolfy or Spreadsheet)
| Metric | Good Benchmark | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| Calls Made | 20-30/session | Volume matters. Consistency beats intensity. |
| Contact Rate | 30-40% | How many you actually speak to |
| Meetings Booked | 5-10% | 1-2 meetings per 20 conversations |
| Meeting Show Rate | 60-70% | If low, confirm meetings better |
| Meeting → Customer | 30-50% | If low, improve qualification or pitch |
💼 Toolfy Integration
Log every call as a note in Toolfy against the customer record. Track outcome (voicemail, spoke, meeting booked, not interested). Review weekly to see what's working.
Start Tracking Calls in ToolfyUK Cold Calling Regulations (TPS, GDPR)
Legal Requirements for UK Cold Calling
1. Telephone Preference Service (TPS) - RESIDENTIAL ONLY
- • TPS is a register of UK numbers that don't want marketing calls
- • Calling TPS-registered numbers = £5,000 fine per call (ICO can enforce)
- • Check lists against TPS before calling: www.tpsonline.org.uk
- • TPS does NOT apply to business numbers (only residential landlines/mobiles)
2. GDPR & Data Protection
- • Must have "legitimate interest" to call businesses cold
- • Offering relevant services = legitimate interest (property managers NEED plumbers)
- • Keep records of where you got the number (public directory, website, etc)
- • Honor opt-out requests immediately (add to do-not-call list in CRM)
3. What You MUST Say on Calls
- • Identify yourself and your company clearly
- • State the purpose of the call upfront
- • If asked to stop calling, honor it and log the request
- • Don't use CLI (caller ID) manipulation to appear local if you're not
✅ Staying Compliant (Simple Checklist)
- ☑ Calling businesses (not residential) = No TPS required, GDPR legitimate interest applies
- ☑ Calling residential = Check TPS first (£10-£20 to scrub 10,000 numbers)
- ☑ Always give your real name, company name, and purpose
- ☑ Keep a "do not call" list in your CRM and honor it
- ☑ Document where you got the number (website, directory, referral)
Bottom line: Cold calling UK businesses is 100% legal. Cold calling residential requires TPS checking. Both require honesty and opt-out respect.
Track Every Call, Book More Jobs
Toolfy makes cold calling easy. Log calls as customer notes, set follow-up reminders, track which scripts work best, and convert leads to quotes instantly. No spreadsheets, no forgetting to follow up.
⚠️ Important Legal Disclaimer
This Guide is For Informational Purposes Only
The information provided does not constitute legal advice, tax advice, accounting advice, financial advice, insurance advice, or professional services of any kind. This content is general information that may not apply to your specific situation.
Laws and Regulations Change Frequently
Tax codes, licensing requirements, employment law, data protection regulations, and other legal obligations are subject to frequent changes. Information that was current at the time of publication may now be outdated.
Consult Qualified Professionals
Before making any decisions based on this information:
- Consult a qualified accountant for tax and financial matters
- Consult a solicitor for legal, contractual, and employment matters
- Verify licensing requirements with relevant regulatory bodies
- Check compliance requirements with ICO, HMRC, and other authorities
- Review with your professional indemnity insurer for coverage questions
No Liability
Toolfy, the article authors, and related entities accept no liability whatsoever for decisions made, actions taken, or losses incurred based on information in this guide. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
Verify With Official Sources
Always check official government and regulatory sources:
- • HMRC (Tax): gov.uk/hmrc
- • Gas Safe Register: gassaferegister.co.uk
- • ICO (Data Protection): ico.org.uk
- • ACAS (Employment): acas.org.uk
- • TPS (Telemarketing): tpsonline.org.uk
Last updated: 6 December 2025. This disclaimer applies to all content in this article and any linked resources.
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