Show up and take my money

[grammarwoman]

It's been two years since our sewer line got replaced, two years living with a big hump of dirt in our back yard that has refused to settle. I called a bunch of landscapers last summer, trying to get someone to come out and fix it, but the only company that actually looked at the issue and got me an estimate never returned my phone calls after that. In the interim, I've arranged and paid to have the gutters replaced, a new patio poured, the oak out front trimmed of its dead branches and a dying pine tree removed, and an entirely new back yard fence installed. (I won't even get into how irritating it was having to do it all myself, because my husband can't/won't make outside calls from work.)

The weather has been so weird this spring that I've been dragging my feet in starting up the hunt for landscaping again. (We had a frost two weeks ago and then near 90 degree weather a few days later.) But it's the last step before we get another dog, something that's been weighing on my mind a lot, if the number of dreams that my beloved puppy girl has showed up in are any measure, so I bit the bullet and made some more calls.

One guy came out last week and promised me an email estimate shortly thereafter. What showed up was the landscaper's version of a Dear John letter - "Sorry, we're too busy to handle your job. No love, us." I was so wound up that I literally burst into tears.

Did I mention that I hate making phone calls, and I hate even more getting them from complete strangers? This whole process has been a frustrating nightmare. I just want to throw funds at the problem and make it finally disappear. Why will no one take my damned money? (Job too small, schedule too crowded, and other tiresome excuses, IMHO.)

There is one current ray of hope with the contractor who came out today and sounded confident about getting me an estimate tomorrow and a potential for a quick turnaround. I'm almost beyond caring about the cost, if it gets me closure on this.

Comments

[jb_slasher]

Ugh, calls from strangers, yeah, I don't care for them either. Had to make a bunch of calls due to my recent tooth situation.

I hope this situation resolves itself quickly. <3

[grammarwoman]

It doesn't help that my cell keeps ringing with spam offers about paying off my student loans. Way to ping my anxiety and anticipation, and then not even be relevant!

Good luck on the tooth! Mouth issues are no fun.

[havocthecat]

I've had that same problem (but a smaller time frame) with our siding repair, because they all want me to replace the entire house's siding, which is too expensive a job. They all promise me that it won't cost me a dime! Dude, I work for an insurance company. I know you're lying to me.

I've had better luck going to my local "garage sale" group on Facebook, I kid you not, and posting a help wanted ad. People have messaged me with recommendations and some very nice contractors are stopping by tonight to fix my problems for $200 cash. They'd have fixed it yesterday if I'd had cash on hand. (I'm not saying you should do this. I'm saying that this is my desperation call and I hope like hell it works.)

Good luck! Homeownership can be the WORST.

[grammarwoman]

That's a great idea to keep in mind, thanks! There's also a local Nextdoor group (like Facebook for homeowners in an area) that I could probably post on.

Good luck on your repair! UGH, why is adulting and homeownership such a drag?

[havocthecat]

I wish I knew! I hate these asshole contractors that only want the big jobs, though. You can only find the small guys through word of mouth.

[heresluck]

Oh my god do I ever feel you on this. I have a contractor coming out to look at the house situation next Tuesday, and I am crossing my fingers that this will FINALLY start the process I have been trying to make happen for two freaking years.

[grammarwoman]

*fistbump of homeowner solidarity* WHY SO DIFFICULT, HOMES?

I feel like capitalism is really letting me down. May the forces of ABOUT DAMNED TIME prevail in both our cases!

[(Anonymous)]

A

[the_shoshanna]

Arrrrrgh, all the sympathy. *sad homeowner fistbump*

[grammarwoman]

Thank you! I don't know if the universe took pity on me or what, but since then two contractors have taken a look AND given estimates, and another one will tour the grounds Monday. Options, we can haz them! :)