Dependant on many factors, including how busy they are, whether or not they depend on a third party (manufacturer or distributor) to generate pricing, and if so, how busy that outfit is. That said, large custom quotes really shouldn't take more than a work week unless there is a holiday situation. SImple jobs with common options can be done on site with you, if not within a day or two.... What type of companies are you dealing with? IE: General contractor, one man show, exterior specialty company....

Quote takes 1-3 days usually. Sometimes longer if its a complicated install or unusual size / shaped windows.

Incredible!! One week to get a corrected quote back to you?!?! Two installers throwing out conceptual (ballpark) pricing?!?! My first initial thought(s)....1) just not enough money in this job 2) contractors just don't want the job. I would be asking a number of questions regarding the turnaround times of quotes and other communications. In terms of the conceptual pricing.....If you hire this contractor, ( I personally would not) see how he is about the timing of a conceptual final payment. : )

Again, thanks for the responses.

I think it is a small company, but not just a one-man-show - at least a few employees not including the actual installers who do the work. I actually don't recall how long it took to get the first quote, maybe a few days, maybe a week. That first one was supposed to be tailored to us a little, but it was mostly just base options for one series of window. Then, at the installer's suggestion, we considered changing to a different series, and it took almost 3 weeks to get that quote back. Meanwhile, a third series option has become perhaps even more attractive to us after doing our own research (that's what happens when you're waiting 3 weeks I guess), and I'm almost afraid to ask again after my first specific request for a quote met a "about 10-20% more" response with no offer to actually quote it. That's primarily why I wanted to know if it was a 10 minutes or 3 hour type of task (actual work by the installer) that I am requesting of him; he seems so reluctant to work up a quote. We still wanted a more tailored quote for the original series, one with glazing options etc that we've specified after doing our homework. We also wanted to price out different types of windows in the same location in a one area, upgraded wood/stains, and grilles types, but we haven't even mentioned these thoughts because we already feel pressured to just make up our mind on what we want not knowing specific prices differences. The errors I mentioned for this installer were in the fact that he omitted options we specified meaning we still won't be able to compare costs with the series he recommended when we get the new estimate.

Meanwhile, the 2nd installer I contacted said on a Friday we would have a couple quotes (two series) by Monday, but it wasn't until the following Friday that we had them. This installer made a lot of gross errors or typos in measurements that will have to be corrected. I expected a corrected version last Thursday; still don't have it.

Anyway, that's where things stand. I just didn't know how big of a deal it was to ask one of these installers to work up multiple quotes, and I don't want to come across as unreasonable or annoy them, because I certainly don't want someone who personally dislikes me working on our house...

"We also wanted to price out different types of windows in the same location in a one area, upgraded wood/stains, and grilles types, but we haven't even mentioned these thoughts because we already feel pressured to just make up our mind on what we want not knowing specific prices differences."

Any contractor worth their salt should not be pressuring you at any point during the process - it is your house and your money. Discuss the options with the contractors, they should be guiding you on specifics as the become more aware of your desires and wishes. Multiple quotes on different options is normal in any most sales transaction. Take your time!