[Bazzer]

That firms can't even be bothered to reply to enquiries ?
I messaged 3 local-ish firms on "Trust a Trader" that have top reviews about coming to visit and quote me for some fencing I would like doing.
5 days later one bothered to reply, only to ask for more details which I sent within the hour of the email and awaiting further reply.

I would expect for them all to have got back in contact within a couple of days at worst ... perhaps my expectations are to high ? 

The mistake you made was picking the companies from "Trust a Trader".

Just ask your friends for names, most companies/contractors are absolutely snowed under at the moment and that will not change anytime soon (read 5 years at least).

B.