I'm wondering what the standard wait time is for receiving a quote after a tradesperson visits your home. I understand that self-employed tradespeople can be quite busy, especially if they're good at what they do, and I don't want to come across as rude. However, I'm curious about how long you all typically wait before following up on a quote. Any advice?
5 Answers
I like to consider how they communicate before I even hire them. The way they handle things like quotes and reply times can be a big indicator of the kind of service you'll get later on. Personally, I don't chase quotes. If they don't send one over, I just move on.
I always ask when I can expect a quote. If they're late, I'll make one call to check in, but that's it. They should be proactive about communication if they're going to be behind; I don’t want to waste my energy chasing.
A good rule of thumb is to expect the wait to be about twice the time they initially told you. So if they said a week, plan for about two weeks. If they didn’t provide a timeline, I’d give them two weeks max.
It's totally fine to follow up, but I wouldn't push too hard for a quote. Just remember that if they don't get back to you promptly, it might not be personal; they could be swamped with other work.
Honestly, if you're having to chase someone just to give them your money, think about what that might mean for the quality of service after the fact. It might be best to move on to someone who appreciates your business.