Brookfield Community Rallies Behind Family of Nightmare Home Makeover
Back in November, I told you about a Brookfield Mom who's home remodeling project turned into a nightmare when she was ripped off by a local contractor. Since then, thanks to some people in Brookfield and New Milford, things have taken a turn in the right direction.
For Carol Degen of Brookfield, who is the mother of two children with special needs, what seemed like a simple home makeover turned her life upside down. Back in 2007 she never thought that remodeling her kitchen and bathroom would cost her every cent she has, and leave her relying on friends to keep a roof over her head.
In the original story, and according to wfsb.com, Carol was quoted a price of $38,725 for the entire remodeling job on her home just off Stony Hill Road. As the weeks past the contractor kept telling her he needed more money due to complications in order to complete the job.
After all was said and done, Carol had paid the contractor $116,000, which is three times the original quote. In order to come up with the extra cash, she had to take out another mortgage on her home, which was already paid off. The work was never completed, and Carol was out of money and out of her home.
Since we first published that story, good things have been happening to Carol and her family. There has been an outpouring of support from other local contractors, Brookfield residents, and others who want to help. She has been temporarily relocated to a home in New Milford by the Holland Family Foundation, a Go Fund Me page has been established, and the Brookfield High School Alumni Association is also lending their support.
A Facebook page, Community to Help the Holland Family Foundation Rebuild the Degen Home, has been created as a way of tying all the efforts together.
If you're interested in helping to assist the effort to rebuild the Degens’ home in Brookfield you can contact Pat Holland at (860) 490-9276 or by email at pholland96@snet.net.