Need approval before buying
Pause and ask.
Hi Alex — the valve behind the vanity is also failing. A replacement is about $85 plus tax. Okay if I pick one up this afternoon and finish today?
Ask before buying more materials
Mid-job you sometimes find you need more parts, paint, or lumber than the estimate covered. Pause and put the extra cost in a short text before you leave for the store. A clear amount and a yes/no keeps trust intact and avoids a fight when the final invoice arrives. You’re not selling — you’re checking before you spend their money.
State the extra amount, what it’s for, and whether work pauses until they reply. Don’t buy more until you have a yes unless you already agreed a cap.
When to use this
- You opened a wall, fixture, or cabinet and need parts the estimate didn’t include.
- The client’s chosen material costs more than the allowance you quoted.
- You want approval in writing before a hardware-store run.
- Not for a whole new scope of work — use Extra work found instead.
Amount in writing
After you explained on site.
Hi Jordan — confirming what we talked about: extra materials will be about $140 (primer, two gallons of the color you picked, and rollers). Labor stays the same. Reply yes and I’ll buy them tomorrow morning.
Over the allowance
Their choice costs more than quoted.
Hi Alex — the tile you liked runs $12/sq ft, which is $90 over the $8/sq ft allowance in the estimate. For the bathroom that’s about $180 extra on materials. Want to stick with that one, or pick from the allowance options?
Bought after they said yes
Close the loop with a receipt note.
Hi Jordan — picked up the parts. Receipt was $92.40. I’ll add that line to the invoice when we’re done Friday October 30. Thanks for the quick yes.
They said no — pause the add-on
Respect the no and keep the main job moving.
Hi Alex — understood, we’ll skip the extra materials for now. I’ll finish what’s already approved and leave the old hardware in place. We can revisit later if you want.
How to send it
Copy one message, swap in the real name and details, and send from your own phone or email. Keep it to a few sentences. If they need a different topic, use a Related link below instead of mixing two subjects in one text.