I think I am being discriminated against. What can I do?

Question

I live in Texas and we've been getting so much rain. I need a drain system put in and some front yard flower bed work, as well as other things. I figure it will cost me anywhere from 2500 to $3000. I have had 7 contractors come out, measure, take my email and promise to send me a quote and NOTHING. I can't get anyone to do my work. Some of these people are referrals. I am a single black woman; I have the money, cash money, credit card whichever payment they want and no one will help me. The guy yesterday professed to being a Christian; He said he was most definitely going to get me the quote yesterday, that if I agreed to the price, to sign it, talke a pic with my cell phone and text it back and that would secure my spot in the appointments. I have not heard back. i emailed him last night and he said, he would get it to me this morning and still nothing. I am in tears because no one should have to live under this kind of duress. what can i do?

Answer 1

I doubt if you're being discriminated against. This kind of thing happens to everyone with contractors. I am a single white woman in Canada. Recently I needed a new roof. Actually, I needed it last summer. One roofer came out to look last spring, gave me a quote, and I agreed to the price. I told him I'd let him know when I had the money, which I did 2 months later in July. He said he could do it in September. Well, September went by and no roofer. I called. He said he was busy on a large house but that I was next on the list. I haven't heard from him since. So, still needing a roof this spring, I called 12 different roofing contractors, left messages or spoke to someone in the office. Four returned the call. One said he couldn't talk as he was driving but he'd call me as soon as he got home in an hour or so. He never called, even after I left a message the next day. Three came out to give estimates. Two of them gave estimates a few days later, though it was plain that one of them didn't really want the job since he said they were very very busy. One never did give me the estimate at all, even after I called again a week later to say I hadn't received it. So out of the 12 guys I called, I got an actual useful response from two of them.

Wanting three estimates before deciding, I finally called another guy. He came out the same day, gave me an estimate on the spot, said he could start the next day, a Saturday, which he did. And they did a good job.



So keep trying. The right person is out there somewhere.

Answer 2

If 7 different contractors have turned you down it is not discrimination. Most likely what you want done cannot be done for what you are willing to pay.

Answer 3

Have you considered Angie's List. You can join now at a discount. There are other similar services with no membership fee. Check the web.

Answer 4

Or they are just smaller jobs than others the contractors have in queue. They make more money on larger jobs.

Answer 5

I do not think so they are very busy this time, ask them when can they can do it? do not give any money, till work is don