How long should I wait for a contractor to return my call?

In Ottawa's competitive construction market, a professional contractor should return your call within 24-48 hours during business days. However, response times can vary significantly based on the season, project type, and contractor's current workload.

During Ottawa's busy construction season (April through October), established contractors often have full schedules and may take 2-3 business days to respond to initial inquiries. Winter months typically see faster response times as contractors are planning for spring projects and have more availability for consultations.

What's considered reasonable in Ottawa:

• Initial callback: 24-48 hours for a brief acknowledgment


• Detailed follow-up or site visit scheduling: Within one week


• Written estimates: 1-2 weeks after site visit

Red flags for response times:
If a contractor takes more than a week to return your initial call without explanation, this often indicates poor communication practices that will likely continue throughout your project. Similarly, contractors who respond immediately and push for quick decisions may be using high-pressure sales tactics.

How to improve response rates:
When leaving messages, be specific about your project type, timeline, and budget range. Contractors are more likely to prioritize callbacks for projects that match their expertise and capacity. For example, "Looking for bathroom renovation quotes in Kanata, budget around $25,000, flexible on timing" gives contractors the information they need to assess fit.

Managing expectations during busy periods:
Ottawa's construction industry experiences significant seasonal fluctuations. During peak season, quality contractors often book 2-3 months out, so slower initial responses don't necessarily indicate disinterest. Many contractors use this time to properly assess whether they can take on new projects.

Follow-up strategy:
If you haven't heard back within your expected timeframe, one polite follow-up call or email is appropriate. After that, move on to other contractors. Persistent follow-ups rarely result in better service and may indicate the contractor isn't a good fit for your project timeline.

When faster responses are expected:
For emergency repairs (plumbing leaks, electrical issues, heating failures), contractors should respond within hours, not days. For these situations, contact multiple contractors simultaneously and work with whoever responds first with appropriate licensing credentials.

Remember to verify any contractor's credentials through the ESA website (esasafe.com) for electrical work or TSSA (tssa.org) for gas work before scheduling consultations, regardless of how quickly they respond to your initial inquiry.