DK Handyman LLC contacted us after we submitted a request through Angi. He came to look at our projects on April 17, 2026, and provided separate written estimates dated April 22: $550 to relocate our dryer duct and $700 to repair our exterior porch column.
We also asked him to move the dryers electrical outlet. He told us by text that this would be an additional $150. Based on the $550 estimate and the additional $150, we understood the laundry room work would cost $700.
Both projects were supposed to be completed on June 19. The laundry room work took all day. He initially tried to route the dryer duct down and over, but was unable to do so. We reminded him that the plan was to run it straight from the wall to the outside. While he worked in the laundry room, Matt removed the old covering around the pillar because the contractor said it would help him get started and complete both projects that day.
We paid $1,219 for the laundry room work on June 19; the payment posted to our bank account on June 20. When we recently reviewed our records, we realized this was $519 more than the $700 we understood the work would cost. We are requesting an itemized explanation of the charges.
The pillar was not completed on June 19. When we discussed the column wrap, the contractor said the kit would cost around $700 for the material and that the total, including framing material and labor, would be approximately $1,200$1,300. He said the wrap would need to be ordered and should take two to three weeks.
Matt checked on the order on July 16. On July 17, the contractor said the wrap had apparently been delivered somewhere else and that he would file a claim and order another. On August 15, we arranged for him to return on August 31, and he apologized for the long wait.
He finished the pillar on August 31, approximately 10 weeks after work began. We paid $1,300 for the pillar that day; the payment posted on September 1.
After the pillar was completed, we noticed that it appeared crooked and had large gaps filled with a significant amount of caulk. There were already holes or openings in the caulk, and we were concerned about how the middle section and trim fit together.
We are also concerned about the flashing at the top, which appears to be glued down in a way that could allow water to run back onto the pillar. The contractor who inspected it told us that the bottom should not sit directly on the concrete and raised concerns about how the pillar was constructed. He said that, if left as it is, it might rot within a couple of years.
Other professionals who looked at the work also told us that several aspects of the installation were not done properly, including the flashing and construction of the column.
Barnes Construction provided a written estimate of $2,034.97 to correct the pillar, not including painting. Their proposed work includes carefully removing the exterior trim for reuse, reframing around the post to make it the correct size and square, installing a metal drip edge at the top, and reinstalling and sealing the trim. The estimate requires $1,000 when signed.
On September 30, Matt contacted DK Handyman about the pillar problems and requested a refund. On October 1, the contractor offered to refund 30% of the labor without specifying a dollar amount. On October 12, Matt explained that the offer would not cover the repairs, requested a full refund for the pillar, and asked for an itemized breakdown of labor and materials. The contractor has not responded to that message.
We considered having DK Handyman return to fix the pillar. However, after speaking with the professional who assessed the work, we are concerned about whether he can correct it properly. The previous delays also make us concerned about having the repair completed promptly with winter approaching. In addition, we recently discovered that we paid more for the laundry room work than we understood it would cost, without a clear explanation for the difference, which has further affected our trust.
We are requesting a $1,300 refund for the pillar and a refund of the $519 difference between what we paid for the laundry room and the $700 we understood it would cost, for a total of $1,819. We also request itemized invoices for both projects. As far as we can tell, the laundry room work was ultimately completed properly; our concern with that project is the unexplained charge.
We cannot afford to pay for the pillar work again, and we need it corrected and properly protected from the weather before winter.