As soon as possible, hopefully at the same day. We are often very limited with time to schedule an inspection or repair a problem, we need someone to help our client fast. 

On the same day as the inquiry.  

If the contractor is putting a quote together, I'd say a week is acceptable for a moderate to large job.  Shorter for small to minor jobs.  Whatever the timeframe, tell the client and stick to it.  If that's not possible, let the client know as soon as you know that the quote will be a day or two late.

If the contractor is awarded the job, the response time to the client should be immediate, if possible but no more than two hours.  It is never acceptable for the contractor to go missing or not show up on a work day except by prior arrangement.

Submit a written schedule and stick to it.

Within 1 business day

I expect contractors to tell me when I will hear from them and I expect them to meet their commitments.

I would say it depends on the expectation set by the contractor.  If he says 2 days, then I expect to hear from him in 2 days without my having to follow up. 

IMMEDIATELY!

Tom:

As soon as possible, say within a few hours, but no more than 24 hours. Unless it is someone highly recommended I would move on by that time.

Jeff

If it isn't the same day, I would likely move on....it means to my mind that they would be too busy to return a call once they had the job!

24 hours. I get that they may be on a job when I call, but anything over 24 hours tells me they aren't interested.

If it is for an emergency fix, i hope right away. For normal business i hope the same day and if i call at night i hope the next morning. The reality is if they dont, i am calling another contractor who will. 

A contractor should return a phone call on the same day, but keep in mind, if they are called in the evening hours, the call may not get returned until the following day.  If the contractor is a sole owner, then it may be the following business day.  I know this because my husband is a contractor and works from 6am - 8 or 9pm, 6-7 days a week.  If he is on a roof or framing a home, it's difficult for him to return a call right away.  Also, depending on where the job site is, there is often no cell phone service.  If the contractor is highly recommended, be patient.  You ultimately get what you pay for.

As soon as possible, since I'm calling probably few of my preferred vendors. I agree with Eric, sometimes those inquiries are very time sensitive.

Within a few days.

One day?

Less than 24 hours. If estimate - maybe, a couple of days.

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366 sooner the better - however, some type of work may require little investigation before we get the quote.