Latest news with #kitchenrenovation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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
26-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm building my dream kitchen on a budget & bagged an £830 fridge freezer FREE – the stench was vile but it was worth it
SHE'S creating her dream kitchen, but is having to do so on a tight budget. So when she saw an £830 fridge freezer on Facebook Marketplace for FREE, Kelly knew she had to nab it. 9 9 9 9 But getting it in, clean and fitting it was anything but easy, and she documented the process on her TikTok page. "It truly is amazing what people get rid of!" she said. She picked the fridge up from a "building site" and was told it was all in working order but just needed a clean. "I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been opened in a long, long time," Kelly admitted. "The stench was unreal and, to top it off, I found fish in there! "I am NOT a fish lover and that expensive salmon is five years old." Once she'd managed to "dispose of" the offending fish, she got to work cleaning the fridge - taking every shelf and drawer out from inside, so that she could give it a deep clean. It needed a lot of "elbow grease", Kelly said, and she got stuck in with sponges, sprays and cleaning brushes. "I used lots of bleach on this thing," she laughed. "It was so strong I'm pretty sure I burnt the nostril hairs off. Stacey Solomon reveals 99p transformation of grubby kitchen unit she picked up on Facebook Marketplace so it looks brand new "It was the only thing that I really felt was going to kill that bacteria because God knows how long that's been growing in there." Once the bottom half - the freezer - was done, Kelly moved onto the fridge, removing each part one at a time, cleaning and putting it back. "This felt like a never-ending job," she sighed. "I love to clean but this was a lot, although very satisfying." Once the "cleaning marathon" was done, Kelly changed the hinges to match the rest of her kitchen, and enlisted the help of her stepdad to rewire the plug, which had been cut off. "We rewired the plug in seconds, attached the doors together and it was done," Kelly said, as she showed herself pushing the fridge freezer into its allocated slot. What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025? The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it's taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous. Hardworking appliances Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job. Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding. Health and wellness With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles. Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients. Energy-bill conscious Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down. More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn't just save money—it's also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes. With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying. "A fully working integrated fridge completely free!" "My best and worst Facebook marketplace find in one!" she captioned the video. "I've been looking for a integrated fridge freezer ever since I bought this unit. "I wasn't prepared to buy new, so will some patience (somehow) but mainly will power I found this baby! "And what a gem it turned out to be!" 9 9 9 9 9
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
3 times to use a HELOC in 2025
Need to renovate your kitchen now? Then it could be a good time to apply for a HELOC. Maskot Your home equity can be a viable financing source in any economic climate, but in today's elevated one, it's one of the better ways to borrow money. The average interest rate on a home equity line of credit (HELOC), for example, is just under 8% right now, and it's fallen by around two percentage points just since September 2024. And should certain economic factors that drive HELOC rates remain in play, rates on the line of credit could fall again, perhaps as soon as this week. In other words, it's a very credible way to borrow some of the average $300,000-plus home equity homeowners have right now. But in the economic climate of 2025, there are better times to use a HELOC than others. This consideration is especially important to get right, considering that HELOCs utilize the home in question as collateral. Failure to repay as agreed could result in foreclosure. Using it at the right times, then, is critical. But when, exactly, are the right times to use a HELOC in 2025? That's what we'll analyze below. Start by seeing what HELOC rate you could qualify for here. 3 times to use a HELOC in 2025 While each homeowner's circumstances are different, many could benefit from using it during one or more of these times this year: When financing home projects This is traditionally one of the better times to use a HELOC in any economic climate, and it's not different in the unique one of May 2025, either. That's because interest paid on a HELOC is tax-deductible if used to pay for eligible home projects and renovations. A kitchen or bathroom remodel undertaken this spring and summer, for example, could be a smart way to use the HELOC. Generic repairs and appliance replacements, however, will typically not qualify. But if you're already underway with a spring home project or plan to be soon, this could be one of the optimal times to pay for it with a HELOC. Get started with a HELOC online today. When price changes are affordable A HELOC has a variable interest rate, which means, right now, current borrowers have been experiencing and are positioned to further experience lower rates and lower monthly payments. But this rate changes monthly for borrowers and it could cause payments to rise or fall, perhaps in an unexpected way. So you'll need to calculate your future repayment costs tied to both today's available rates as well as what they could look like over the full draw and repayment periods. If you can afford these price changes, then this could be the right time to pursue a HELOC, thanks to its affordability compared to the broader borrowing climate. If you can't, however, then it may be time to explore the fixed-rate home equity loan as an alternative. When looking for the cheapest home equity borrowing option In the interest rate climate of just a few years ago, when it came time to secure the cheapest home equity borrowing option, a HELOC was generally not considered a top choice. But if you're looking for the cheapest home equity borrowing option in 2025, you'd be hard pressed to find something less expensive than a HELOC. Not only does a HELOC have a lower rate than a home equity loan right now, it also won't require you to forego your existing, presumably low mortgage rate, as you would have to with a cash-out refinance. You also won't have to deal with the age restrictions associated with a reverse mortgage. And you'll save considerably more by borrowing with a HELOC than you would with a personal loan (with an average rate over 12% now) or a credit card (with an average rate close to 23%). So, if you're looking for the cheapest home equity borrowing option right now, or simply one of the cheapest options overall, this is one of the better times to look for a HELOC. The bottom line The "right" time to use a HELOC in 2025 could be one or more of the above. Or it could be none. It really depends on the specific needs and financial health of each homeowner. So carefully consider where you fit in the home equity borrowing spectrum to determine if now is the right time for you to use a HELOC or if you'd better served with an alternative like a home equity loan instead. Learn more about your HELOC and home equity loan options here.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Woman shows off the ‘jaw dropping' £50 kitchen she bought of Facebook and people are amazed – it even included an oven too
WHEN it comes to renovations, buying a new kitchen can be one of the most expensive parts. However, one savvy woman found the bargain of the century after she spotted a kitchen on Facebook Marketplace for £50. 2 Despite the kitchen set consisting of bland wooden cupboards, the homeowner was not put off and decided to immediately snap it up. On her @thestylepad_uk account, she showed how her helpful husband removed it from the previous house and installed it in their own home. The woman shared: 'My husband did ours. He's not a builder but is very handy! 'Would you believe me if I said the oven was included in the £50 deal?' After they had installed the wooden units, they painted it from dull wood to a gorgeous olive green colour. The woman wrote: 'I primed and then did two coats of "The Tobacconist" by @COAT Paints.' Currently you can pick up a tub of the paint for £30, and the finished result certainly looks worth it. Next the homeowners spruced up their counters and went for 'compact laminate' in a marble design. The woman wrote: 'We've had them in 6 months and no problems so far, so fingers crossed.' The woman showed off the finished result in her new video, which has racked up over 84,000 likes. Stacey Solomon reveals 99p transformation of grubby kitchen unit she picked up on Facebook Marketplace so it looks brand new She advised: 'Make sure there are MORE cabinets than you need. You can always take away (we used a couple of cabinets as wood for other projects), but you can't add!' Thankfully hundreds of people 'liked' her post, and many rushed to praise the incredible before and after shots in the comments. One said: 'THAT oven as well!!!! what a bargain. it's absolutely stunning!' Another added: 'What a husband (this is my first time complementing one)' With the average three-bedroom home renovation costing upwards of £83,000 in 2023, it's no wonder more and more Brits are getting savvy. What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025? The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it's taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous. Hardworking appliances Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job. Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding. Health and wellness With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles. Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients. Energy-bill conscious Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down. More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn't just save money—it's also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes. With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying.
