Florida family claims Costco fridge installation caused $700K in Jacksonville home damages: Bradley Byrd
Share and Follow

A Florida family is facing over $700,000 in damages to their home following an improper installation of a fridge by a Costco-hired team, with the wholesale retailer refusing to cover the costs.

Bradley Byrd recounts that after the installation mishap on December 2, 2024, he had to spend more than $300,000 to relocate his family and cover renovations to their Jacksonville residence.

The family’s ordeal began when they bought a KitchenAid refrigerator from Costco at the end of November and had it delivered and installed by a group of third-party contractors from RXO a few days later.

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.

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 Costcowaterdamage.com.

“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.”

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.

“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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

“This furniture is courtesy of that refrigerator,” he joked.

The Post has reached out to Costco for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Plea deal of Ovidio Guzmán López, son of 'El Chapo', with feds to be revealed in Chicago over cartel, drug trafficking operations

Ovidio Guzmán López’s Plea Deal with Federal Authorities in Chicago to Expose Cartel and Drug Trafficking Operations

CHICAGO (WLS) — The world could soon learn more about a plea…
3 dead as flash flooding hits mountain village of Ruidoso in New Mexico, officials say

Officials report that three individuals have died due to flash flooding in the mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered…
Notorious 'Hillside Strangler' seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings

Notorious ‘Hillside Strangler’ seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! One of the notorious…
Ben Askren gives update after double lung transplant surgery

Update from Ben Askren following his double lung transplant operation

Retired mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren has recently…
Oklahoma couple charged for hoarding 50+ animals: Police

“Oklahoma Couple Faces Charges for Hoarding Over 50 Animals: Authorities Say”

EL RENO, Okla. (KFOR) – An El Reno couple is facing criminal…
DOJ sues California over refusal to ban trans athletes

The Department of Justice files a lawsuit against California for refusing to prohibit transgender athletes.

() The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of…
Faith brings light to devastated Texas town after deadly flooding disaster

Faith brings light to devastated Texas town after deadly flooding disaster

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Volunteers have descended upon…
Texas flooding: How to help following deadly flash flood along Guadalupe River amid search for Camp Mystic girls in Kerr County

Assistance for Texas Flooding After Fatal Flash Flood and Search for Camp Mystic Girls in Kerr County

Several organizations are stepping up to aid victims’ families and others impacted…