Latest news with #BradleyByrd
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Dad, The House Is Underwater' — Florida Family's $3,500 Costco Fridge Turns Into $700,000 Nightmare: 'They Drop the Ball, I Foot The Bill'
A Florida family thought they were upgrading their kitchen. Instead, they say they got a disaster — one that soaked their home, drained their finances, and may soon head to court. According to WJXT-TV's News4JAX in Jacksonville, Saint. John's resident Bradley Byrd and his family purchased a $3,500 KitchenAid refrigerator from Costco in December. The fridge was delivered and installed by a third-party company contracted by the warehouse-club chain — but just six hours later, Byrd got a FaceTime call from his daughter that stopped him cold. "Dad, the house is underwater," she told him. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Byrd rushed home to find water flooding the floors. Video footage he later shared shows the damage: soaked carpets, standing water, and furniture floating. The family says the refrigerator's water line had been installed incorrectly — a critical error that allegedly caused the line to rupture after being pinched beneath the fridge's wheels. "They allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger," Byrd told News4JAX. The result? Mold, structural damage, and a $700,000 headache, according to a public adjuster's estimate. The family was forced to evacuate their home just before Christmas and spent months living in an Airbnb. They've since returned, but Byrd says their home is still partially unlivable — with no working kitchen or bathroom, and lawn chairs and folding tables standing in for real furniture. "We purchased these lovely tables to prepare food on and to eat at," Byrd said, with dry irony. So far, Byrd estimates he's spent around $300,000 out-of-pocket on remediation, storage, testing, and repairs. While Costco has provided $38,000 for temporary living expenses and — according to Byrd — offered $175,000 toward damages, the family has not accepted the settlement. Legal action is now on the table. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. News4JAX reports that its team reached out to Costco multiple times via phone, email, and social media. As of publication, the company had not responded. The contractor responsible for delivery and installation, RXO Last Mile, declined to comment, reportedly stating that the issue is not its to resolve "They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line," Byrd told News4JAX. He's now documenting the ordeal publicly on and even paid for local billboards to raise awareness. His site includes a detailed cost breakdown, showing the scope of the damage and his mounting expenses, which include: $360,000 in estimated damage to the home $76,000 in personal property losses $78,000 in alternative housing expenses $117,000 for mitigation, moving, and storage $72,000 in professional services and legal preparation At the center of the story is a growing concern many homeowners may not think about: who's responsible when a third-party contractor makes a mistake? Costco contracts out appliance installations to outside vendors — in this case, RXO — and the legal responsibility for any errors may ultimately depend on what's proven in court. While Costco did provide some assistance, the Byrds say it's not nearly enough. As of now, no lawsuit has been filed, but Byrd told News4JAX, "I think that, unfortunately, is the next step."This case has raised questions about what recourse homeowners have when something goes wrong with a professional installation. In many cases, appliance damage caused by poor installation may not be fully covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy — especially if the damage is considered preventable or due to contractor error. Some experts suggest: Always photograph the installation as it happens Check water lines and electrical connections before accepting delivery Request the installer's credentials and inquire whether the work is bonded or insured Consider supplemental liability insurance or home warranties that cover third-party work As for the Byrds, they're still hoping for resolution — and a return to normal life. Until then, their kitchen remains unfinished, their bathroom nonfunctional, and their story a cautionary tale for anyone who assumes a fridge upgrade is as simple as plug-and-play. Read Next: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —? Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Dad, The House Is Underwater' — Florida Family's $3,500 Costco Fridge Turns Into $700,000 Nightmare: 'They Drop the Ball, I Foot The Bill' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Costco shopper's home ‘underwater' after $3.5k fridge installed – he was forced to move out but store wouldn't help'
A FAMILY says their house was wrecked and left looking like a "construction site" after their new $3,500 Costco refrigerator caused catastrophic water damage. The flooding was so bad that they had to move out days before Christmas, but claim neither Costco nor the installers have taken responsibility. 5 5 The chaos unfolded in Jacksonville, Florida, where Bradley Byrd says a faulty water line installation destroyed his home. The fridge was delivered and installed in December 2024 by a third-party contractor through RXO Last Mile, arranged by Costco. Everything seemed fine at first, until six hours later, when Byrd received a FaceTime call from his daughter. "She facetimes me and says, 'Dad, the house is underwater,'" Byrd told CW local affiliate WJXT. Byrd rushed home to find water actively gushing through the floors and soaking nearly every room in the house. A video he took shows water splashing around his feet as he walked through the flooded house. He said the installers failed to wrap and secure the extra water line properly. "They allowed it to go underneath the refrigerator, and they allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger," Byrd explained. The flooding ruined carpets, electronics, furniture, musical instruments, and even parts of the house's structure. The damage forced the family to flee and live in an Airbnb, just before Christmas. Homeowners fume as HOA imposes $400 bills after making costly service change - they fear losing water if they protest 'We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,' Byrd said. Air quality tests later showed dangerous mold levels across most of the first floor. "So far, I have spent about $300,000 on repairs, mitigation, third-party charges for reports and testing, and to get our belongings moved out and into storage," he said. A public adjuster estimated the total damage to be around $700,000. Byrd said the best offer he received from the companies involved was $175,000. "They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line," he said. Byrd took a $38,000 payment from Costco to help with temporary living costs, but emphasized that he hasn't agreed to any settlement regarding the damages. Instead, he has been gearing up to take legal action. 'I think that, unfortunately, is the next step,' Byrd said. He created a website to document the costs and raise awareness. According to his site, $360,000 was needed to repair the home, $76,000 to replace personal items, $78,000 for temporary housing, $117,000 for mitigation and storage, and $72,000 for legal help. As of now, the Byrds have returned to a partially habitable home that remains without a fully functional kitchen or bathroom. 5 5 5
New York Post
28-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Florida family claims $700K in home damages over Costco-installed fridge — even had to relocate: report
A Florida family claims they suffered over $700,000 in home damages after a Costco-hired installation team improperly installed their new fridge — and the wholesale retailer isn't footing the bill. Bradley Byrd says he has spent over $300,000 to relocate his family and pay for renovations to their Jacksonville home since the failed installation on Dec. 2, 2024. The family had purchased a KitchenAid refrigerator from Costco in late November and a team of third-party contractors from RXO delivered and installed the appliance days later. Advertisement 7 Towels are placed all over the flooded floor of the Byrd's Jacksonville home after their failed fridge installation on Dec. 2, 2024. WJXT News4JAX Byrd, who was at home for the installation before going to work, rushed home after his daughter discovered their house was 'underwater.' 'She Facetimes me and says, 'Dad, the house is underwater,'' Byrd told News4Jax. Advertisement The shocked father estimated about 1.5 to 2 inches of water from their newly installed fridge filled his home, according to a website he started to document the fiasco called 'Out of spite' Byrd also paid for three months of billboards calling out Costco and RXO in Jacksonville and Ballantyne, North Carolina. The installers had failed to place the water line in a safe position, Byrd claims. 'So what happened is, during installation, most of the extra water line is wrapped into a coil and taped on the back of the refrigerator like it is now,' Byrd told the outlet. 'But the installers didn't do that. They allowed it to go underneath the refrigerator, and they allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger.' Advertisement 7 Bradley Byrd sits in his kitchen in front of his new refrigerator after the costly flood. WJXT News4JAX Water leaked out of the crack, covering the Byrd's home, while creating an unwanted indoor pool damaging furniture, carpets, instruments, electronics and causing structural damage. Professionals were called to remove the water out of the home but the damage had already been done. The water — mixed with the Florida atmosphere — had already created mold and high moisture levels inside, forcing the family to evacuate the home and move into an Airbnb right before the holidays. Advertisement 'We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,' the homeowner said. 7 Byrd shows the tear in the water line that water flooded out of after the installation. WJXT News4JAX Byrd says he filed a claim with Costco and even sent an email to CEO Ron Vachris as a shot in the dark. He says he got a response back from Vachris an hour later saying his team would be monitoring the family's situation. After the initial day, Byrd's calls for help went largely unanswered. A loss adjuster estimated that the damage and repairs would cost $703,355.88. Costco and the third-party installers offered to pay the family a combined $175,000, News4Jax reported. 'So far, I have spent about $300,000 on repairs, mitigation, third-party charges for reports and testing, and to get our belongings moved out and into storage,' Byrd said 7 Byrd stands in 1.5 to 2 inches of water in his home on Dec. 2, 2024. WJXT News4JAX Advertisement The family accepted a $38,000 no-strings-attached payment from the store to pay for his family's temporary relocation. The family did not agree to any settlement as they plan on suing both Costco and RXO, Byrd said on his website. Byrd has documented every development since Dec. 4 and credits all the companies he has worked while including a tally of the exorbitant costs since the mishap: Approximate damage to house – $360,000 Personal property damage – $76,000 Alternative Housing and living expense – $78,000 Mitigation and moving and storage – $117,000 Professional services to recover monies from RXO so far – $72,000 Advertisement Along with the expenses, Byrd says the home disaster has also taken up significant chunks of his time. He has missed nearly 20 days of work 'dealing with all facets,' while his family was displaced for 87 days, has gone 91 days without a kitchen to cook in and they expect their claim to be fully resolved in over 170 days. 7 The back of the refrigerator, where the water line was supposed to be placed during the initial installation. WJXT News4JAX Byrd slammed Costco and RXO for failing to protect their customers. 'They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line,' Byrd said. Advertisement He compared his home to an unfinished construction site even after the repairs already put in. 'It looks like an unfinished home, because it is an unfinished home,' Byrd told the outlet sitting in his kitchen on lawn chairs next to a foldable plastic table. 7 The Byrd family was forced to replace their kitchen cabinets and other furniture. WJXT News4JAX 7 He compared his home to an unfinished construction site. WJXT News4JAX Advertisement 'This furniture is courtesy of that refrigerator,' he joked. The Post has reached out to Costco for comment.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Family drowning in debt after 'routine' service from Costco goes horribly wrong
A Florida family has been left with $700,000 in damages after a Costco refrigerator delivery went horribly wrong. Bradley Byrd purchased the $3,500 fridge online from the superstore in November, which included installation. However, the free service ended up costing his family hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a faulty water line installation that caused massive flooding. The appliance was delivered and installed by an uninsured third-party contractor hired by Costco on December 2. About six hours after it was placed, Byrd said his daughter frantically called to tell him their house was flooded. 'She facetimes me and says, "Dad, the house is underwater,"' Byrd told local outlet News4JAX. The father said the water supply line had been improperly installed and caused flooding throughout his home. 'So what happened is, during installation, most of the extra water line is wrapped into a coil and taped on the back of the refrigerator like it is now, but the installers didn't do that,' Byrd said. The free service ended up costing his family hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a faulty water line installation that caused massive flooding 'They allowed it to go underneath the refrigerator, and they allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger.' Video showed Byrd wading through the water that spread throughout his home and damaged furniture, electronics and even structural elements of the house. 'We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,' Byrd said. 'Right now, we're down to what appears to be a construction site. Still, it looks like an unfinished home, because it is an unfinished home.' Byrd said his family was forced to leave their home, and air quality testing found high moisture levels and mold in a majority of the first floor. He claimed he was given an estimated total repair costs at about $700,000 and neither Costco nor the delivery company have been helping. 'So far, I have spent about $300,000 on repairs, mitigation, third-party charges for reports and testing, and to get our belongings moved out and into storage,' Byrd said. Byrd said he accepted a $38,000 no-strings-attached payment from Costco, but has not agreed to their $175,000 settlement offer. 'They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line,' he said. The family returned to their home in March, which does not have a fully functional kitchen or bathroom. Byrd launched a website to document the mounting damage and claims process he has faced. 'These are the expenses to pay for our alternative living, mitigate our house, and bring our house back to the same condition it was in before the damage,' the website states. 'Any enhancements, upgrades in materials, etc., are not reflected here. These are my cost to be made whole and not a penny more.' The website stated the approximate damage to the house is $360k, personal property damaged is $76k, alternative housing and living expense $78k, litigation and moving and storage $117k, and professional services to recover monies from RXO so far is $72k.
