Troubleshooter: ABC11 viewer helps homeowner after kitchen remodeler closes
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A kitchen-remodeling dream quickly turned to a nightmare for one homeowner.
We first heard Frances and Paul Tausch's story in June after they paid more than $12,000 for American Kitchen to build their dream kitchen. But before any work could be completed, American Kitchen shut down with no notice.
The Tausches were left with an incomplete kitchen and nowhere to turn.
"I guess now the only thing we got to go forward somehow, got to move cabinets back in and just forget about it," Frances Tausch said.
But Tausch didn't have to forget about her dream kitchen thanks to some generous Triangle businesses.
"After watching your story, my wife and I were sitting there, we were saying, 'We've been blessed this year,'" owner of Witcraft Painting & Decorative Concrete Coatings Robert Witcraft said.
Witcraft also got several other businesses on board.
"We're really sorry that this happened, and you know, not all contractors are bad," he said.
Witcraft coordinated with Paragon Building Group to complete the project.
"It was important for us to make sure they got what they intended to get for the best price possible and it was a team effort," owner of Paragon Building Group Josh Mauney said.
The electrical work was all donated; PPG Paints donated all of the paint and supplies.
"You don't get an opportunity to see the good that's being done all the time, and this is just to know that there is good being done all the time," owner of PPG Paints Tom Matuszewski said. "This is just to know that there is good being done in the community."
Paul Tausch couldn't believe the generosity.
"It's just like guardian angels have come down," he said, "and that was what really touched our hearts."
What was once a bad experience now has the Tausches smiling.
"I love the whole thing. It's brand new and it's all sparkly," Frances Tausch said.
"We knocked off as much as we could just to get this finished for them as what they went through was definitely an unpleasant experience," owner of Wakefield Flooring James Ivanditti said.
Paragon Building Group installed the cabinets at a discount and other companies gave discounts on the granite and backsplash.
L.D. Branch Electric of Efland and Safety Electric of Pleasant Garden both donated electrical labor.
The Tausches also say Gary Granite, Best Tile and Habitat for Humanity gave them discounts on products and services for the kitchen remodel.
"Without all of the people that stepped forward we would still be crying in our soup, not knowing what to do," Frances Tausch said. "For all the bad out there, there are some good people."
Contact Troubleshooter Diane Wilson
