A Florida family’s holiday season took a shocking turn after a simple appliance delivery left their home in ruins. Bradley Byrd and his family are now facing an uphill battle, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and a grueling claims process that has left them desperate for help.

According to the Daily Mail, Bradley Byrd purchased a $3,500 refrigerator from Costco last November, expecting professional installation included in the price. Instead, a botched water line installation by an uninsured third-party contractor unleashed catastrophic flooding throughout the Byrd family home.

The Byrds’ nightmare began just hours after the delivery, as a faulty install caused water to gush through their home. The damage was so severe the family was forced out for months, with soaring repair costs and a lack of support from the companies involved. The family’s fight for justice has now drawn attention to the risks consumers face when major retailers use third-party contractors.

Catastrophic mistakes cost dearly

On December 2, the refrigerator was delivered and installed. Byrd’s daughter was the first to discover the problem, calling him in a panic to report the house was underwater. The water supply line had not been properly installed. According to Byrd, the installers failed to coil and tape the excess line behind the fridge, instead allowing the refrigerator’s wheels to rest directly on the line.

Byrd explained that this mistake caused the line to crack, eventually bursting and flooding their home. Within hours, water had saturated the first floor, damaging furniture, electronics, and even the structure of the house itself. Christmas decorations and presents were swept away in the chaos, forcing the family to evacuate and begin a costly cleanup.

Speaking to News4JAX, Byrd described returning to what looked like a construction site. Air quality tests revealed high moisture and mold throughout much of the first floor, making the house unlivable. Byrd estimated the total damage at $700,000, a staggering figure that includes repairs, mitigation, storage, and professional fees.

Frustration grows over insurance and settlements

The Byrds’ attempts to seek compensation have been met with frustration. Byrd said he has already spent $300,000 out of pocket on repairs and related expenses. Despite the scale of the disaster, neither Costco nor the delivery company has provided the assistance the family expected.

Costco did offer Byrd a $38,000 payment and later a $175,000 settlement, but he declined the latter, saying it fell far short of the real costs. Byrd accused the companies of trying to minimize their responsibility, leaving his family to bear the brunt of the losses.

“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 recalled. He argued that the damages were the direct result of the installer’s negligence and that he should not have to use his life savings to cover mistakes made by others.

Claims process drags on

The family has detailed their ordeal on a website, openly sharing costs and documentation from the claims process. Byrd’s breakdown of expenses includes $360,000 for structural repairs, $76,000 for personal property loss, $78,000 for alternative living, $117,000 for litigation and moving, and $72,000 in professional services.

“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. The family returned in March, but the kitchen and bathroom remain unusable, and the house is far from fully restored.

Byrd maintains that he is only seeking enough money to return the home to its original condition, not to profit from the disaster. He continues to press for full compensation, arguing that large retailers should be accountable for the actions of the contractors they hire.

Why This Story Matters

This case highlights the potential risks of working with third-party contractors, even through reputable companies. Consumers deserve assurance that their home is safe after installations, and retailers must be held responsible when things go wrong. Bradley Byrd’s story also exposes the devastating personal and financial consequences that can stem from what appears to be a minor error. With more consumers relying on delivery and installation services, these risks are increasingly relevant to families nationwide.

Conclusion

Bradley Byrd’s troubles began when he ordered a $3,500 refrigerator from Costco. On Dec. 2, 2024, third-party installers, allegedly hired by Costco, improperly fitted the refrigerator's water line. Water began leaking six hours later, ultimately soaking Byrd’s entire home.

His family was displaced for over three months, returning in March 2025 to a home that still lacked basic functions. Byrd has spent around $300,000 so far, rejecting a Costco settlement of $175,000, and claims the total losses have ballooned to more than $700,000. He continues to document every expense on a public website. This incident started as a routine installation and ended in near ruin for one Florida family. Now, months later, their pursuit of accountability serves as a warning to homeowners everywhere.