Do you chase workmen?

[Wingedharpy]

Don't know what to do here.
I phoned a company's office (possibly just 1 bloke really) to ask him to come and give me a quote for some work I want doing on the garden in the spring.
I rang the landline number and spoke to his wife?/ secretary?/mum?/ a woman/ who said he wasn't there at the moment but she was expecting him back soon and she would get him to call me.
She took very basic details regarding the work I want done and took my contact number.
That was on Wednesday afternoon and I have heard nothing.
Would you phone again or assume he doesn't want the work for whatever reason?
I'm always torn in these situations as I think if I have to chase them at this stage what will they be like if I'm trying to get them to come and do the work.

[Testificateman]

I'd phone a couple of other companies/workmen for a quote.
If he can't be arsed phoning you back, take your business elsewhere.

[littlestar34]

I never chase at the quoting stage I assume they don't want the work. Frustrating at times.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Yes, I would follow it up. Perhaps by text if the website gives a mobile number. People like texts as they can reply when convenient. So something bright and breezy like "Hi, just wondering if you are interested in quoting for my garden job that I left a message about on Wednesday? No worries if not, but could you let me know? Many thanks. Name & address".

Self employed workmen can get hit with peaks and troughs of work and sometimes are just too busy to quote for new work (quoting is after all time consuming and unpaid) however much they might want to. If you give the impression of being understanding rather than demanding then you're more likely to get a response.

[Boulshired]

It depends on reasons for choosing, if they are highly recommended or have used prior I would persist if not then I would look elsewhere. we now use a plumber who is a nightmare to get a quote from and has horrific waiting times but he is worth the hassle.