Is it normal for contractors to take weeks to provide a quote?

In Ottawa's current market, waiting 2-4 weeks for a quote is unfortunately becoming normal, especially for quality contractors who are in high demand.

The timeline really depends on the type of work and the contractor's reputation. For simple jobs like fence installation or basic repairs, you should expect a quote within 3-7 business days. However, for major renovations like kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, or basement finishing in Ottawa neighborhoods like Kanata, Barrhaven, or Orleans, reputable contractors often take 2-4 weeks to provide detailed estimates.

Here's what's driving these delays in the Ottawa market: established contractors with strong reputations are typically booked months in advance and receive multiple quote requests daily. They need time to visit your property, measure accurately, research material costs (which fluctuate frequently), and coordinate with any subcontractors they work with regularly.

What timeline should you expect for different projects in Ottawa:

For smaller projects under $5,000 (deck repairs, fence installation, minor electrical work), expect quotes within one week. Mid-range renovations between $15,000-50,000 (bathroom renovations, kitchen updates) typically take 2-3 weeks for comprehensive quotes. Major projects over $50,000 (full kitchen renovations, basement developments, additions) can take 3-4 weeks as contractors need to coordinate with suppliers and ensure they understand City of Ottawa permit requirements.

Red flags to watch for during the quote process:

Be wary of contractors who provide quotes immediately on the spot without proper measurements or consideration of Ottawa Building Code requirements. Also concerning are contractors who take longer than 6 weeks to provide quotes - this often indicates poor organization or that they're not genuinely interested in your project.

How to manage the quote timeline effectively:

When contacting contractors, ask upfront about their quote timeline and current workload. Quality contractors will give you a realistic timeframe and stick to it. If you need work done urgently, be upfront about your timeline - some contractors can accommodate rush quotes for an additional fee.

Consider getting quotes from 3-4 contractors simultaneously rather than waiting for each one sequentially. This approach helps you compare not just pricing but also professionalism and communication style.

Following up appropriately:

If a contractor hasn't provided a quote within their promised timeframe, one polite follow-up call is appropriate. If they're still non-responsive after that, move on to other contractors. Remember, how they handle the quote process often reflects how they'll manage your actual project.

For complex projects requiring City of Ottawa permits, the quote process may include preliminary discussions about permit requirements, which can add time but shows the contractor understands local regulations. You can verify any contractor's credentials through the ESA website at esasafe.com for electrical work or TSSA.org for gas-related projects.

The key is finding contractors who communicate clearly about timelines and deliver quotes when promised, even if that timeline is longer than you'd prefer.