Home Depot Sued Over Alleged Failed HVAC, Electrical Work

A civil complaint filed Dec. 29, 2025 in Marion County Fifth Judicial Circuit by Dunnellon homeowner Francisco Soto accuses Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. and CEO Ted Decker of accepting payment for HVAC and electrical services and failing to complete the work. The suit seeks more than $130,000 in damages, specifically $136,000, and alleges that contractors removed a functioning HVAC unit, did not return it, and left a replacement unit without heat.

The complaint states Soto paid for multiple services, including $6,000 for an electrical panel replacement, yet no electrical work was performed. According to the filing, the replacement HVAC was left incomplete and the home has been without heat since August 2025. Soto alleges the lack of heat forced his wife, who has lupus, to relocate for health reasons and disrupted medical appointments and holiday plans, causing foreseeable damages.

The complaint names Home Depot and its chief executive as defendants, signaling the plaintiff is pursuing corporate accountability rather than only seeking relief from individual technicians or subcontractors. Home Depot had not filed a response at the time of reporting.

For Home Depot employees, the suit underscores operational pressures that follow installation or service failures. Store associates, installation coordinators and third-party contractors who perform in-home work can face increased scrutiny, more stringent documentation requirements, and additional customer-facing conflict when service outcomes fall short. Customer service and claims teams may see higher workloads as cases move through litigation and settlement processes, and installers could encounter tighter oversight or new training and certification mandates intended to limit liability.

The complaint also raises broader questions about the company’s use and supervision of third-party installers. Labor and operations managers often must balance cost controls with the need to ensure technicians are qualified, licensed and properly supervised. When customers allege serious service failures that affect health and safety, store-level policies and corporate oversight frequently come under review.

As the case progresses, potential changes could include revised contractor vetting, expanded employee training, updated scheduling protocols and clearer customer communication around scope and completion of work. For the affected homeowner, the lawsuit seeks to recover damages tied to medical disruption, relocation and the cost of services he says were never completed.