How much chasing would you do for a quote?

[LynetteScavo]

I had someone come out on Saturday to give a quote. They said they'd calculate the quote over the weekend. They gave me their mobile number (which isn't on their website) so I could text them the email addresses I would like the quote to go to. I've also messaged through their contact form in the website and emailed to make sure they have my details, but no response. I really, really dislike phoning people. Would you bother, or just rule out this company?

Just been through this myself.

Didn't chase, if they let you down so early on, with no explanation, then i feel they'd be useless if they ever got the work.

If they’re unreliable before you pay them think how bad they’ll be after. Don’t chase.

We’ve been through this ALOT recently.
I normally drop a text/email after a week (or a couple of days after they’ve said I should expect a quote).
Unfortunately some companies just never get back to you no matter how much you message / call 🙄. (My husband tends to chase a few times, I stick to once, if they don’t get back to me then I won’t want to hire them)

Very little. This is as good as it gets. If they aren’t interested now then they never will be

I would say a week would be reasonable. This depends on the following
a) COMPLEXITY If it is a complicated job - such as designing a one off shelving unit to be hand cut and installed and finished by a good quality carpenter,
or a plumbing and heating engineer who has to work out the correct output for a new boiler and calculate the BTUs of the radiators, or an extension by a builder, or landscaping. One off jobs take time to plan and get right in a quotation.
b) COSTING THE MATERIALS AND TIME TO COMPLETE - this is very important and so they need to seek the best possible quotes for the job. you may have stipulated something a little different, so they'd have to source it, get lead times, work out whether its a good deal for you (and them) etc.....you also have to consider he must calculate how long the job is going to take him and contingencies too
c) He may already be maxed out with work and is finding time tight to do all required in (b) above.
d) Tradesmen perhaps have some family committments over the weekend, especially those with younger children, so perhaps they mispoke when he said he'd get back after the weekend....his spouse may have reminded him of a commitment he'd forgotten.
I speak from experience being married to a very successful S/E tradesman for 30+ years, and know that he sometimes gets chased for quotes. He doesn't mind. Don't worry about chasing - if they need the work they will get back to you politely. Presently, I would say being very busy is typical. A remember, if they are busy....they are usually good and in demand.

@LynetteScavo

if I'd had no reply to receiving my contact details (just a 'Hi, thanks for your contact details') I'd just leave it. I'd continue to get other quotes and if it their quote arrived in time for me to consuder, I would. I wouldn't chase.

Quoting can be incredibly time consuming (depending what it's for) & they're usually flat out actually doing jobs (especially now) that quoting doesn't often get the priority it should, that said, if they're not short of work then they're managing their business ok & if they lose some potential clients then so be it 🤷🏻‍♀️

You have contacted them through three different methods, it’s only been two working days (as it’s now only just Wednesday), and you are already expecting a reply?

I am sorry, I don’t think that’s reasonable. I would recommend backing off, as it feels a little pushy. Hopefully they will get in touch next week with a quote whilst juggling whatever job they have going on this week.

I would give it a week. Depending on what works are to be completed, quoting can take a lot of time. It's not often a 5 min job.

if I'd had no reply to receiving my contact details (just a 'Hi, thanks for your contact details') I'd just leave it

That's what I was thinking @Ponkpinkpink15, but I thought I might have entered his number incorrectly when he told me what it was.

It's a straight forward job (paved driveway) and I don't want anything fancy. DH has now got someone else coming today.

From experience getting quotes back for driveways seems to be the most difficult job to get a quote back for. We’ve had about 10 companies out, and only 2 quotes back.

From experience getting quotes back for driveways seems to be the most difficult job to get a quote back for. We’ve had about 10 companies out, and only 2 quotes back.

It's going to be expensive, isn't it!

The quotes we got back were about £8-10k to blockpave a 72m2 drive. But that included ripping up all the old tarmac & plants.

I feel your pain.

I too have been promised quotes that never materialised; fencing and roof repairs! Both jobs worth ££££!

I chased a fencer twice over a 3 week period, to no avail. In the end I engaged someone else.

Told all who’d quoted/hadn’t quoted that I was sorted out & got a load of abuse from the one whose quote I’d had to chase.

SOME trades are a waste of time these days. No customer service, don’t turn up, no communication! Why do they do it?

Drives me nuts.

There is another aspect to this. Sometimes the company/individual doesn't like the cut of someone's jib, and is not minded to get back. Or indeed, they will deliberately overprice so they do not get considered for
the job. It works both ways .....
"....someone you can do business with...."

So I have an actual quote, written on his business card from a reliable man (he's been working in this town for years) and it wasn't too much more than we expected so I think I won't go chasing anyone else. I'll have to wait 6 months before he's free though!

Now I think the first man didn't like me. But I'll get over it

OP...that's the spirit! Glad you've found a goer, just need to be patient I guess x

From the other side of the coin my husband was out quoting on Saturday. Two jobs were quoted on by Monday, the third is a bigger job with a variety of materials to.price. This quote will be done by the weekend as he's also works during the week. I'd give it til at least the weekend, I'd also be wary of any trade wanting money up front.

"I'd also be wary of any trade wanting money up front"
Very, very good point. My other half never asks for money up front.
It is about trust...like I said...." a person you can do business with" works both ways..Reputation is king.

If they are taking their time to quote your job… unless they’ve explained that they are waiting for suppliers to get back to them with pricing then it is fair to say that they don’t want to do the work.

Some tradespeople are fortunate to be located in places where they can pick and choose their work.

It's horrible not knowing isn't it.

I downsized when my husband died, and needed to get the bathroom here modernised. A friend recommended a company, the man came - and I recognised him as the owner and cowboy we had used at our family house. My late husband was furious at how he'd ripped us off, he worked so hard and such long hours for his money. The company name had changed slightly and I mentioned it as he left, he spun round and was obviously discomforted that I'd mentioned it. I realised later it might have been bankruptcy.

He went off and I waited a month for the quote, then I started phoning every week, for four weeks, a different excuse every time. At the end of the eight weeks the owner turned up at the front door with a silly smile, waving the quote.

The office rang to check I'd received it ... and I said I didn't recognise any of the makes. He said to come into the show room - I said I was on the bus, and wasn't sure how long the walk was, but I'd be in touch soon.

A week later the office rang and he said he'd come and get me so I could see the showroom ... I made an excuse, rang off and blocked the number. I'm an old lady on my own and that sales technique left me cold!