Updated Review:
Do not trust Darryl Huie or DL Reston…read more While he may come across as friendly and helpful, my experience was the opposite. I found him to be manipulative and unprofessional and, in my opinion, took advantage of my difficult personal circumstances.
In Dec 2017, just weeks after losing my mom and sister and months after moving into my beautiful new home, I discovered a water leak that caused significant damage to my kitchen and multiple rooms. I initiated a claim with my insurance company, and began gathering quotes from three separate contractors -- one of whom was Darryl Huie.
His initial demeanor was overly eager and persistent. Despite not being awarded the project, he repeatedly inserted himself into the process, including contacting my insurance adjuster without my consent, showing up to my property unannounced, and calling, emailing, and texting me constantly.
I was grieving, overwhelmed, and traveling frequently for work and trying to get my family affairs in order, so I allowed limited access to my home strictly for estimation purposes. Not for any actual work.
Darryl claimed that even if I didn't move forward with certain repairs, I was still obligated to pay him the entire labor amount my insurance company had awarded, even for work he wasn't doing. He warned me that I could be reported for insurance fraud if I didn't hand over all the funds to a licensed contractor (i.e., him). In my opinion, he used my inexperience with the insurance process to pressure and intimidate me, which I now see as taking advantage of my vulnerable situation.
When I declined to move forward, he entered my home without permission while I was traveling and removed the granite countertop, then claimed it broke due to a "preexisting condition" which would have to be filed under a second claim. He later attempted to manipulate the situation by suggesting he could help get it covered under the initial claim if I gave him the job. I considered this a serious ethical violation and reported it to my insurer.
When I returned home, I found my road bike missing from the garage and the broken granite left behind. I then received a $1,200 invoice for "services" for removal of the granite countertop, which I never approved. He eventually sued me in small claims court, falsely asserting we had a verbal agreement. Fortunately, I documented everything, and the judge dismissed the case.
Years later, he resurfaced and sent me a disturbing message through Facebook filled with personal attacks, prompting me to finally share this experience. At the time, I didn't have the energy to speak up. I do now.
After writing an honest review on Yelp, a man claiming to be his "friend, who happens to be a lawyer," began calling me at work, emailing my personal and work emails. I consider this behavior to be harassing, and I want no further contact.
If you are considering working with this contractor, I strongly urge you to proceed with caution. This review is based entirely on my personal experience and supported by court records, insurance documentation, and extensive written communication.