WhatsApp Auto Reply Messages for Plumbers (Copy-and-Paste Examples)

WhatsApp Business has three built-in tools that save plumbers a lot of typing: the greeting message (sent to new contacts), the away message (sent outside your hours), and quick replies (saved messages you insert with a shortcut). Below are examples you can copy and adapt. Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details, and only include prices you're happy to stand behind.

How to set them up

In the WhatsApp Business app, go to Settings → Business tools. You'll find Greeting message, Away message and Quick replies there. Set your business hours under your business profile so the away message triggers at the right times.

Greeting messages

Standard greeting:

Hi, thanks for contacting [Business Name]! To help us quote quickly, please tell us: 1) your suburb, 2) what's going on (e.g. leaking tap, blocked drain, hot water), and 3) a photo if you can. We'll get back to you shortly.

Short and friendly:

Hi there 👋 Thanks for messaging [Business Name]. What's the problem and where are you located? A photo helps us give you an accurate price.

Away messages

After hours with emergency line:

Thanks for your message. We're closed right now and will reply by [8am]. For emergencies like burst pipes, flooding or gas smells, please call [emergency number]. For gas leaks, also contact your gas provider's emergency line.

Weekend:

Hi, we're off for the weekend and back on Monday at [7:30am]. Leave your suburb, the problem and a photo, and we'll reply first thing. If it's urgent, call [number].

On a job / can't reply right now:

Thanks! We're on a job at the moment and will reply within [2 hours]. Please send your suburb and a short description so we can check availability.

Quick replies

Save these with shortcuts like /price or /area.

/callout — call-out fee:

Our call-out fee is [$X], which includes the first [30 minutes] on site. After that it's [$Y] per [15 minutes] plus parts. We'll always confirm the price before starting work.

/area — service area:

We cover [list suburbs/regions]. If you're just outside, let us know your suburb and we'll check.

/hotwater — hot water enquiry:

To quote on hot water, could you send a photo of the unit's label (brand, model, size) and tell us whether it's gas or electric? Is it leaking, or just not heating?

/drain — blocked drain:

Is it one fixture (sink, toilet, shower) or several at once? Several blocked fixtures usually points to the main line, which may need a drain camera. Either way, we can book you in—what times suit?

/book — booking details:

Great, let's book you in. Please send: full name, address, best phone number, and a preferred time window (morning or afternoon). We'll confirm by message.

/confirm — booking confirmation:

You're booked for [day, date] between [time window] at [address]. Our plumber will message when on the way. Reply here if anything changes.

/followup — quote follow-up:

Hi [Name], just checking whether you had any questions about the quote we sent. Happy to adjust the time if needed. No pressure either way.

/review — after the job:

Thanks for choosing [Business Name] today! If you were happy with the work, a quick Google review would really help our small business: [link]. If anything isn't right, reply here and we'll sort it.

Tips for plumbers

• Always ask for a photo. It saves a wasted trip and gives you a better quote.
• Don't quote fixed prices for unknown problems. Give the call-out fee and hourly rate, and explain the final cost depends on what's found.
• Be clear about emergencies. If you don't do after-hours call-outs, say so and suggest what the customer should do (turn off the mains, contact an emergency service).
• Keep it short. People read WhatsApp on their phones; three or four lines is plenty.
• Use labels. WhatsApp Business lets you tag chats as "New lead", "Quoted", "Booked", "Paid" so nothing slips through.

When auto replies aren't enough

Built-in WhatsApp messages are fixed text. They can't answer a follow-up question like "how much for two taps?" If you're getting a lot of repeat questions, the next step is an assistant that answers from your approved price list and passes anything unusual to you. Whatever you use, keep a human in charge of complaints and anything safety-related.

Checklist

1. Turn on the greeting and away messages.
2. Set accurate business hours.
3. Save 5–8 quick replies for your most common questions.
4. Add your emergency instructions.
5. Review your messages every few months as prices change.