DRB Homes Reviews
Formerly Dan Ryan Builders
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About DRB Homes
- Positive customer service experience
- Timely completion of projects
- Unresolved maintenance issues
- Quality of workmanship concerns
DRB Homes Reviews
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- 4,943,040 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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Reviewed July 27, 2026
DRB Homes after "move-in" to our new house was a NIGHTMARE! On our very first request to for assistance, we were directed to refer it to their warranty section but their warranty section told us that the builder (DRB project management) MUST take care of it FIRST since we haven't been in the house for sixty (60) days! Several other issues that we've requested took an average of TWO (2) weeks before someone came by to have it checked! And to this writing (we moved in to our house on 06/19/2026) we still have some issues that needs to be resolved and yet we haven't heard anything from their project manager and his supervisor. DRB makes good house designs but they're TERRIBLE in taking care of repairs and touch-ups after moving-in!
Reviewed July 18, 2026
We purchased our home from DRB Homes with high expectations, but our experience after closing has been very disappointing. The biggest issue has been the lack of responsiveness after the sale. While the individual who handles service requests has always been professional, courteous, and genuinely helpful, it appears that he receives very little support from management. Unfortunately, many legitimate concerns simply go unresolved.
One of the most common complaints throughout our community has been the sod that was installed. Much of it never established properly, yet homeowners have repeatedly been told that it is not DRB’s responsibility. This is especially frustrating because exterior issues, including landscaping, were represented as items that would be addressed. Before we closed on our home, we were specifically told that our sod would be replaced. That never happened.
We have also had trees installed by DRB that have died. Despite reporting the problem, we have received little to no response. These are just a few examples of warranty and service issues that have not been handled as we expected. Perhaps most concerning is that many homeowners in our community have shared similar experiences. There appears to be a consistent pattern of delayed responses, lack of follow-up, and unresolved warranty concerns after closing.
Buying a home is one of the largest investments a family makes. We expected DRB Homes to stand behind its product and honor the commitments made during the purchase process. Unfortunately, that has not been our experience. I hope DRB Homes takes these concerns seriously and improves its post-closing customer service. Building quality homes is important, but standing behind them after the sale is just as important.
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Reviewed July 8, 2026
DRB misleads from the start. When you figure out the issues, they push it out, giving a BS future point for when it will be addressed. Do not believe the promise of update calls every Thursday. This company will put you off until it appears you are so far down the road that you either accept their BS or lose your up-front funds. We are supposed to close in 30 days, and THEY HAVE NOT HONORED THEIR WORD or the blueprints for the extras we are going to be paying for. I have put this in writing to them. Don't think for a second that the sales rep at the development is your advocate or friend. The lot is a disaster. The interior lights and outlets are not in the correct places, and it looks like the siding is the wrong color. DRB can not be trusted.
Reviewed June 24, 2026
We thought we were building our dream home exactly how we wanted it. Instead they have had poor communication with a major system change that has caused complications. From that they did not make sure the slider requested is the one we are receiving. We are still in the frame out phase and contacted DRB immediately! However instead of DRB fixing it and just reframing the one door (maybe a 1/2 day job that we are happy to pay for) they would rather not work with us at all. We really want our home, but to spend $700,000 on a house that is not correct to what we expected and requested, even though they can change it (again still in framing phase), we cannot in good faith buy this home. Buyer beware that they are do not pay attention to your requests and even if you catch it, they won't fix it!
Reviewed June 21, 2026
We had a very bad experience with DRB Homes. From the on-site sales agents, sales manager and even on the corporate level. Their customer service was poor. They are very slow to follow-up to answer questions and sometimes they don't respond at all. No need to contact the corporate team because they're even worst. I'm so glad we decided to walk away from Drb homes prior to buying our home. Especially now based on all the reviews. We are excited about investing in a company that treats their customers with courtesy and respect.
Reviewed June 5, 2026
May 5th 2026, I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience purchasing a home with DRB Homes in Rosewood has been extremely frustrating, time-consuming, and disappointing. On the first VIP appointment day, my two friends and I met with Christine, the sales agent. We all agreed to sign contracts for homes in Rosewood. The pricing presented to us was a base price of $470,990 plus a $15,000 lot premium, totaling $485,990. While we were signing, we were told there would be a $25,000 incentive, an additional $5,000 credit if we declined the washer, dryer, and refrigerator package, and a 6% closing incentive.
Unfortunately, what followed was a series of mistakes, corrections, and conflicting information. The structural options we selected were not properly reflected in the paperwork. A few days later, we were informed that the 6% incentive never existed. Then I was told that instead of receiving $25,000 plus $5,000, I would receive only $23,000 plus $5,000. To make matters more confusing, I was told my friends would receive the full $30,000 incentive while I would receive only $28,000, despite all three of us signing under the same circumstances.
It took nearly 10 days of constant follow-up, phone calls, and discussions just to correct an issue that should never have existed in the first place. As a buyer, I should not have to spend that amount of time verifying incentives and correcting information that was originally provided by the sales team. The situation became even more concerning when one of my friends, who signed alongside me, was told by the preferred lender at Brookhollow Mortgage that he would need an extremely large down payment and might not qualify. After shopping around, he found another lender offering a significantly better interest rate and terms without requiring such a large down payment. Once DRB was informed, suddenly similar financing options became available. That raised serious concerns about the accuracy and consistency of the information being provided.
Later, I received a call asking me to sign the contract immediately. Given the amount of misinformation and corrections that had already occurred, I simply requested one day to speak with the lender before signing. I explained that after spending 10 days trying to resolve incentive discrepancies, I wanted to verify everything before committing. I was told the lender was unavailable until the following day. What is most disappointing is that nearly all of these issues could have been avoided with competent, knowledgeable, and accurate communication from the beginning. Instead, I found myself repeatedly having to verify information, challenge incorrect numbers, and spend valuable time fixing mistakes that should have been caught internally.
Now, the pricing being presented is dramatically different from what was originally offered. The base price has increased to $506,990 plus the $15,000 lot premium. Incentives have been reduced from $30,000 to $20,000. Compared to the original offer presented to me, I am now looking at approximately $46,000 in additional costs. To make matters worse, DRB responded to my previous review by directing me to a contact link that does not even work. That response only reinforced the concerns I raised regarding communication and customer service.
This was supposed to be an exciting experience. My friends and I wanted to purchase homes together in the same neighborhood and become part of the community. Instead, it became a stressful and exhausting process filled with conflicting information, avoidable mistakes, and constant follow-up. The housing market is highly competitive, and buyers have many options. My advice to future buyers is to get every incentive, every price, and every promise in writing before signing anything. Had DRB employed better-trained and more knowledgeable staff throughout this process, a significant amount of frustration, confusion, and wasted time could have been avoided.
Reviewed June 4, 2026
Updated on 06/04/2026: One DRB exec reached out and offered help. But still number is not working.
Original Review: You can never reach them. Their warranty team is always closed. Consider that as ‘closed’… I will triple think before taking another unit from DRB. They should put someone to take the call and respond the customer.
Reviewed May 28, 2026
They are large and I allege that they have inspectors in their pockets. Because my first home in md a several fire code violations, structural issues and electrical. I tried purchasing a new construction in Raleigh nc, their agents were bigots, and they essentially pulled the plug on the deal because as the construction neared completion they wanted more money. They denied building my 3rd car garage even though I was paying for it. This was heartbreaking to say the least.
Reviewed May 8, 2026
I only give DRB one star because zero was not an option. We just recently purchased a new home in Woodruff SC and the house is just horrible. Builder quality is terrible, finish work is embarrassing, and the site work (yard) has caused so many problems that we are already looking to move (after 8 mos). Interior: trim work, doors, cabinetry - all look like they were installed by amateur's. I have a bathroom upstairs in life and it takes an average of 11 minutes for hot water to reach bathroom. Was told that's often normal (really?). The exterior is ok, except landscape work - plants dying, no defined edge in beds, just mulch thrown in dirt. Horrible sod work, you'll break an ankle in gaps between sod rolls. They messed up site work so horribly that I now have a river running through my yard in two directions.
The erosion will be so bad that in a year I'll have the Grand Canyon in my yard. This is not a cheap model house either - it's nearly $600k. My complaints have gone unheard and warranty requests have been basically unaddressed. Just terrible - trust me when I tell you - this is my 4th home built in last 20 years and it is BY FAR the worst quality I have ever seen. I have been in the construction industry for 35 years and I would be embarrassed by this place. DON'T DO IT.
Reviewed April 28, 2026
Good Day, We made the decision to move into what we intended to be our final retirement home, transitioning from a three-level residence to a single-story home better suited for our long-term needs. When DRB Elevate opened a 55+ community in our area, we were excited by the opportunity. After visiting the Pennsylvania model homes twice, we were impressed by the quality, craftsmanship, and overall vision presented in the master plan for the Upper Marlboro community.
Our initial experience was very positive. The salesperson was excellent throughout the process, and the design center exceeded our expectations, making what we hoped would be an exciting and rewarding journey. Unfortunately, the construction phase proved to be significantly challenging. We encountered multiple issues along the way. While some concerns were addressed promptly by the project manager, others were either delayed or required workarounds that did not fully resolve the problems without impacting subsequent phases of construction.
As the project progressed, a new project manager was assigned. He has been responsive, professional, and clearly committed to helping; however, he has been limited in what he can accomplish due to the volume of homes under his supervision and reliance on subcontractors. Despite his efforts, many issues remain unresolved.
This is the fifth home we have built over the past 28 years, so we are very familiar with the process. Regrettably, this has been the most difficult experience we have had—and the most disappointing. Despite this being the most expensive home we have built, it has also been the lowest in quality. We closed on the home in November, and as of the end of April, there are still outstanding items that have not been completed. While the current project manager continues to push for resolution, progress remains slow and inconsistent. Prior to moving forward, our realtor did express concerns about DRB’s reputation. However, after seeing the models and working with the initial team, we chose to proceed in good faith. At this point, we deeply regret that decision. If given the opportunity, we would have chosen a different builder. Sincerely,
Reviewed April 27, 2026
Don’t buy anything from DRB builders. Bought a home in Mulberry Estates without irrigation. About 50 houses built and now they decided to put in an irrigation system in the new homes being built. Forget those of us who bought in the early stages. And won’t give any of us that already bought any kind of credit to have one put in. Terrible workmanship too.
Reviewed April 14, 2026
To whom it may concern, I am writing to warn prospective buyers about our experience with this builder. What began as a promising build deteriorated into a series of unacceptable problems, delays, and unprofessional behavior. Timeline and foundation failure: Construction had been underway for 21 days when I discovered the contractor failed to properly tension the foundation cables. That omission caused cracking throughout the foundation and required an engineer’s review. The project was delayed three weeks while we addressed this avoidable issue.
Jobsite sanitation and unprofessional conduct: There was no port-a-potty on site. As a result, workers urinated in one of the shower drains, where it stayed stagnant due to no water availability and in water bottles, which they abandoned around the property. When I raised this issue with the salesperson (Karen), I was told the liquid in the bottles was “lemonade” — an obvious and unacceptable misrepresentation. I then asked the builder to have the bottles removed and to flush water down the drain to mitigate the odor that was very much present throughout the whole house when you walked in; although he agreed, it took a month for this to be done and I had to ask no less than three times.
Closing delays and numerous defects: Closing occurred six weeks past the estimated date. Only after taking possession did the full scale of defects become apparent. Representative issues include: Widespread paint overspray on tile throughout the house (made less visible by light tile color). A window that leaks during rain. Master shower glass enclosure broke two weeks after move-in. Garage floor looked like an active construction site full of paint, sheetrock and debris at closing which masked the large low spot in the middle of it where water pools. HVAC system had to be repaired a couple weeks after closing due to blockage which is now extremely noisy. Cabinet issues that are still not resolved after almost 8 weeks post closing. This list is not exhaustive; these are some of the most frustrating problems we have encountered.
When I raised the foundation issue and other concerns with two managers, they were indifferent and unwilling to accommodate requests. Our concerns were basically dismissed and any accommodation requests were flatly denied. At that point I reviewed the contract and discovered the buyout terms were heavily one-sided: if I walked away, I would only recover $2,000 of a $15,000 deposit. Recommendation. Based on our experience, I strongly caution anyone considering purchasing from this company. The combination of poor workmanship, health and sanitation issues on site, significant delays, and unapologetic management behavior has left us extremely dissatisfied and regretting our purchase.
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Horrible workmanship and follow through. Will not honor poor installation that happened a year after purchase. According to them, they don’t repair cracks etc. I could say more, but…
Reviewed March 20, 2026
As we approach our one-year anniversary in our DRB home, I can honestly say we couldn’t be happier with both our home and the community. The location is perfect. Close to shopping and everything we need, yet tucked away from the main road just enough to feel peaceful and private. It truly gives you the best of both worlds.
What really sets this experience apart, though, is the people. Greta **, our salesperson, has been exceptional in every sense of the word. From day one, she brought a personal touch that made the entire process feel comfortable and trustworthy. Her attention to detail, honesty, and responsiveness stood out immediately. She answered every question thoroughly, never misled us, and consistently went above and beyond what anyone would reasonably expect. Over time, she has truly become a dear friend.
A perfect example of who Greta is: During the recent back-to-back snowstorms, she stepped in to help coordinate snow removal in our community, even though this is completely outside her role. She traveled 90 minutes from her home and was already making calls before she even arrived at the office to ensure things were being handled. The team was already working on it, but that didn’t stop her from checking in and advocating for homeowners. Think about that. How often would a salesperson, long after closing, step in to solve a problem like that? It’s unheard of, but that’s just who she is.
Jackson, our project manager, was equally impressive throughout the build. He was always professional, responsive, and solutions-oriented. No matter how big or small the issue, he took ownership and made sure it was addressed in a timely manner. His integrity and clear communication gave us confidence every step of the way.
Kevin in the warranty department has also been outstanding. Any concerns we’ve had a window adjustment, a small electrical issue, he handled quickly and followed up to make sure everything was resolved properly. That level of responsiveness and care after the sale speaks volumes about the company. If you have high expectations for professionalism, knowledge, and integrity from the company building your home, in an aesthetically beautiful community, look no further than DRB Homes. This team doesn’t just build houses, they build relationships and stand behind their work long after you move in. We are incredibly grateful for this experience and would choose them again without hesitation. PS, we've also met some great people in the community. Game nights have become a big part of our social life. No pressure. Just a nice bonus.
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2026
Building a new home should have been a joyful experience. Unfortunately, our experience with DRB has been extremely disappointing. We have encountered numerous issues including the wrong door installation, an extra window added in error, rust in tubing caused by nails, cracking walls, incorrect light fixtures and bathroom fixtures, incorrect stairs, the wrong drawer under the stove, paint left on the floors, and a leaking shower door — along with many other concerns.
We expect these issues to be addressed promptly and corrected properly. To make matters worse, a used stove cover was installed simply to pass inspection. It felt like a temporary fix rather than a proper solution. I was repeatedly given misinformation, and my concerns were laughed at instead of taken seriously. A supervisor came out, appeared to care during the meeting, but I have not heard from him since. The lack of follow-through and accountability has been extremely disappointing. Hundreds of photo.
Reviewed Feb. 21, 2026
Beware - the workmanship and honoring of their warranty is not honored after you sign on the dotted line, Even after filing several BBB and Consumer complaints they lie and say that ‘the customer’ never provided proof of issues. They find loopholes in the warranty and their project managers promise the world then can’t honor. Even the sales person ghosts you when you reach out to them for help. Even after point up ceilings are left with bumps - seams and discoloration that they call industry standard.
Reviewed Feb. 5, 2026
Horrendous build quality. Gaps between walls and floors. Floors not aligned with walls. Paint brush strokes over door knobs. All door archways are beat up and just painted over. Terrible noise insulation. This townhouse cost me half a million. All my life's work went into this late 2024 Maryland home. I am devastated. If you have a complaint, it just goes to the builder of the home who of course is going to be defensive with his teams work instead of finding solutions.
Reviewed Feb. 5, 2026
Horrible experience so far with the quality of products used to build the houses, so much complaints. Our house is less than 2 yrs, currently $1m worth, but substandard products used, despite huge price. Our bathroom has a massive hole, that scares me everyday, I fear something might crawl out. Sad.
Reviewed Jan. 22, 2026
We moved into our Townhouse (The Townes of Cotswold, Charlotte NC) in October 2024. We immediately experienced some craftsmanship issues. Our initial warranty contact was with the Project Manager (James **). He was extremely responsive and went above and beyond. That went a long way in making up for the number of issues (flooring, bathroom tile, bathroom shower, subfloor cracking, etc...) that needed to be addressed. As the first year came to an end, a couple of these issues returned and/or worsened; mainly the subfloor cracking. But currently, the contact for our warranty is the Warranty manager (Hayes **). A portion of the subfloor cracking is located under two tiles in the bathroom floor. It would only require removing those two tiles to repair the issue.
While Hayes did not dispute that this issue was preexisting, he chose to hide behind a policy that states they will not remove tile to make repairs; even though the faulty craftmanship causing the issue is located below the tile. The contractor that they sent stated that he was prepared to make the repair and that it wouldn’t take that long. But the warranty manager (Hayes **) would not allow him to remove two tiles. When I spoke to Hayes inquiring as to why, he just offered to provide me with numbers for contractors who could make the repairs at my expense. I responded with my dissatisfaction, stating that they will be hearing from me. He eagerly responded, “We will be ready to do the legal thing”. I don’t know if this is DRB group choosing not to stand behind their craftmanship, or a warranty manager doing a poor job. Either way, I cannot recommend DRB group as a result.
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2026
Jan 1, 2026. So far we love the house!! Construction seems solid. Had an independent inspector come out. He saw things we didn’t. We had the builder fix the majority of what was found. Some might have seemed nitpicking so we didn’t insist on that. We have a 1 year ALL INCLUSIVE warranty and then prorated for the next 9 years. Yes, they left a few small nails in the driveway (unacceptable) and some minor trash left behind…But so far we are happy with our new home and DRB builders.
Reviewed Dec. 25, 2025
Based on our experience with DRB Eastern Shore, we think their warranty period should be 1 1/2 years vs. 1 year, based on their workmanship, errors, low accountability, and quality. Response period was not quick. The time that we had to put in to being at our (part-time) house was ridiculous; it got to a point that warranty guys, in the end, came because I had no more time to put into their errors and lack of workmanship. We are now at the point, being after a year since settlement, that we are paying extra to fix their errors. DRB should NEVER be in a custom community, as their pricing was not in line with what they delivered! Accountability is def not in their repertoire! Apologies…. nope! Buyer- beware!
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2025
MOLD MOLD MOLD!!! BUYER BEWARE!!! These homes are built with minimal to no supervision, I'm not sure how they pass inspections. Hire your own inspector!!! We closed on our home at the Grove at Neills Point in April 2025 and have had the warranty service at our house to address issues at least twice a month for the past 8 months. You have to get things fixed around DRB schedule, they have no sympathy for the inconvenience the customer is being put through.
We had a contract; you took our money and delivered a faulty product!!! As I mention MOLD to kick this off, our whole kitchen Island and cabinets had to be replaced due to faulty plumbing (this took a week), How was this not checked for leaks... We envisioned building a new home would be a happy experience, NOT!!! They do not care from the SR VP of Raleigh down to his lackies he sends to smooth things over with sales talk.
Do not use this builder,Sincerely disappointed at the Groves at Neills Point (Kevin D)
Reviewed Nov. 24, 2025
Built my townhome in April, and ever since I moved in, our oven has not worked. We have contacted everyone about it, and no one seems to care! Should have been replaced immediately, but they just passed us along to manufacturer, Whirlpool, who has just jerked us around for over 6 months. FYI, still does not work and holiday is 4 days away! Horrible customer service! Should have been replaced immediately, since it was a part of the build! Very upset and disappointed that this is how DRB treats its customers! Now, more issues are popping up and we have chosen to hire an independent inspector to review house to get all issues corrected! We have only been here 7 months! Unacceptable!!
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2025
DRB says these ceilings are within industry standard - I say it’s time to call a lawyer and file as many complaints as we can - these photos show after they came out to point out our ceilings. These are totally not what a brand new house should look like not even a year old.
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2025
Jordan ** was fantastic in giving me a grand tour of the Black Pond homes! I recommend this community and Jordan is an excellent wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to work with! The homes are beautiful, with quality details.
Reviewed Sept. 19, 2025
Well I’m back several years later with another piss poor review of Dan Ryan Builders, and this time, it’s not because of the massive delay in building our home or the shoddy workmanship. This time, it’s because they built our home and our next door neighbor’s home right up against an easement. An easement, we were both told, we didn’t need to worry about because it was only to access the utilities. This is not the case. We are currently battling with a developer who wants to build homes behind our houses. That is not the issue.
The issue is, they are running the private lane 20 ft wide and between our houses in our yard where our children play. All who are involved have told us how stupid we were to trust Dan Ryan, because they never should have sold these lots with the way they are set up. Both our homes were built right alongside the easement and now, a private road is going to be just shy of 10 feet from our homes. They are even removing our trees that DRB planted, because again, everything was built on the easement. DRB, including their employees, sales associates and project managers are nothing short of liars and have done nothing but cause us grief and cost us money since we moved into our house. DO NOT ALLOW them to build anything for you because you will absolutely regret it. Pay attention to all of the negative reviews. I wish we would have seen these before deciding to build with them.
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2025
DRB Homes former Dan Ryan Builders is using a plumbing company called Ben E. Lewis Plumbing who are installing water heater tanks, that should not passed code. Ben E. Lewis plumbers are installing faulty water heater tanks along with installing the small plastic relay tank on a gray rubber band bungie cord hanging in the air, facing the tank side ways, where as the tank should be facing upwards with cooper pipes. DRB Homes need to change plumbers and not use Ben E. Lewis plumbing company immediately because, myself and neighbors have had water leaks in our basements, or pipes are coming apart that will cause a flood.
Ben E. Lewis Plumbing are getting over installing too fast & cutting corners, causing folks to have water problems in new construction homes by DRB Homes. I haven't been in my new construction home for 3 years and already having water heater and pipe issues. DRB Homes in Maryland need to change plumbing companies immediately. I had to get my own plumber to replace and do the job correctly installing a new water heater tank
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2025
I have purchased a townhome/villa unit from DRB, in Ocean View, DE, and they have yet to break ground, so my experience thus far, is up to this point; I plan to update this review in the year to come. While the initial sales representative was pleasant, the wording used during the process resulted in more fees for me. My experience with the representative at the Design Center was s/he was inexperienced and made several crucial errors -- unprofessional and certainly did not provide the confidence I needed with such a huge purchase.
The project manager appears genuine and was kind however, s/he has only been with DRB for less than one year; concerning. It is my hope that with the hire of my own/private home inspector, my unit with be a quality build with minimal major repairs down the line. My recommendation to anyone working with this builder is for them to consult with their own, trusted professionals prior to selecting choices with DRB. In addition, take pictures of your selections, and keep detailed notes for all phone and/or written communication with each representative along the way. I also strongly recommend you hire your own inspector and be sure s/he completes their work when THEY want to and not just when DRB "allows" them to inspect; be a strong advocate for your home!
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2025
My wife and I had purchased many homes over the past few years. This was our first and last DRB home. The build quality is the worst I have seen. The builder and warranty is a complete joke. My siding and windows are the major issue. I have included a couple pictures. I have been denied warranty and builder claims the windows are completely normal in their current state. My siding is constantly coming loose and I have to walk around the home and snap the siding back into place after any kind of storm. In my opinion, your roof and siding is the most important part of the home's integrity to keep water out. This house will be full of rot and mold in no time. Do not purchase a DRB home unless you want unresolved major issues.
Reviewed July 29, 2025
I bought the new construction townhome 5 years ago. My home is beautiful when viewing but what lies beneath is not good. I should have listened to their warranty guy when he was insulting the homes he was building. I have an adult living upstairs and the subfloors need replacing after only 5 years, building on 24-inch joists instead of 16 inches, which is never good. The stairs have the same issues; it sounds like you are going to fall through the top three.
To replace the subfloors and repair the steps is very expensive. Of course, not covered by the warranty. HVAC needed a coil replaced after only 4 years, which costs a lot, even though it was supposedly covered by the warranty and I do regular maintenance every six months. I wish they would do the right thing and make the repairs. No one should be in their home for only 5 years and have such issues. Oh yeah, the vinyl siding keeps coming off at the top during high winds and I have to replace it. Grateful to have box of the siding in my garage thanks to the first HOA who made the initial repairs, but now I have to pay for the labor. I would not recommend purchasing from this builder. Service after the sale is not acceptable.
Reviewed May 5, 2025
Absolutely the worst builder in America. Lived in this NEW home for less than 5 years. The siding has been repaired 8 times and now needs replaced. The ridge vents blew off and I had to pay to have them replaced. There are dozens of exposed nails in my shingles. The roof is rated for 60 mph winds but we CONSISTENTLY get higher winds here on top of the mountain. Truly the worst builder I've ever had experience with. To be clear, I've owned 8 houses, built one myself and have lived in 5 different states to include those with MUCH worse weather (i.e. Texas) but in all my experiences, I've never seen a house so poorly build. AND, 9 months after moving in, we had to live in a hotel for them to repair the black mold that covered most of my basement walls. Truly a dishonest and rip off company. Stay away from them!
Reviewed April 14, 2025
First time home buyer and first time in a DRB home (Dan Ryan Home). Buying process was fairly smooth. Construction manager was easy to work with and kept us updated. The home itself has had some concerns though. Warranty repairs are good for one year after your move in date. Have had typical problems (Nail pops, cracks, floor bubbles, etc) and submitted warranty claims around the time they told us to. (About a full 4 seasons cycle of weather). After 3 weeks of no response, resubmitted a second claim. After 2 weeks of no response again. Submitted a 3rd one. Finally called someone to talk to. They apologized and said they will send some one out. Said they only ever got 2 of our claims and wouldn't cover the other issues on the 1st claim even though it was submitted with proof of submittal. At this time the 1 year mark had passed and they would not cover any under warranty.
Build quality is poor. I understand prices go up, parts are not as durable and homes are built on a budget, but some things looked put together and finished with little effort or in a rushed manor. No major issues have occured as of yet but just seeing a lot of minor issues with the finished build that have been enough to cause concern, having to fix things that should have been covered under warranty and the things that the "HOA" is supposed to take care of do a half hearted job on it as well (cutting grass, side walk and road repairs). Would rather save the $70 HOA fee and do it myself if they do this kind of work. This will be the first and last DRB, DR Horton, Dan Ryan home I will buy. Have heard many stories on how bad their quality is and I can truly say it is low quality.
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2024
I was trying not to comment on my experience but it is amounting to too much at this point… Another Ryan Builder just no different than the other Ryan Builder. The craftsmanship of the homes they build is undesirable. They promise the stars and the moon and never deliver. Nothing in my new house has gone right. Roof was not completed properly and by chance when I paid for gutter guards they noticed the roof issue. Then Mold set it in my front and back porch. My second floor also had mold. Everything listed by other homeowners is absolutely true. Now I have an issue with my duct system. Sharing the picture. I was turned now to the home warranty company to repair something that is obviously building material issue. There are more issues to list. I already see owners in a brand new neighborhood selling their homes.
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2024
Worst builder ever. Poor quality. Poor construction. Less than 6 months into the house everything is falling apart. Wood panels on the floor are separating ceilings has cracks, shower the grout had to be done 4x and still dried out and fell out. I do not think they have anyone doing quality check. The wood pieces under the counter are supposed to come down to the floor but there are major gaps. I do not recommend anyone to ever buy a home built by Dan ryan. Biggest mistake we have made.
Reviewed Nov. 14, 2024
Highly recommend this builder. Our builder took pride in building our home day 1 and has never looked back. Always available if needed and we have had 0 issues with our home. Even survived 24” of rain during TS Debbie with no issue. Love the area. Love the house. Love the builder.
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2024
I wish I could give zero stars. My experience with DRB was an absolute nightmare from start to finish. Not only did they engage in deceptive practices, but I also witnessed discriminatory behavior that was completely unacceptable. Worse yet, I discovered that this company discriminates against certain customers based on race and other protected categories. I personally saw them give preferential treatment to some clients while ignoring or disrespecting others. It's disgusting to see a company operate with such unethical and illegal practices. If you value honesty, fairness, and quality, do yourself a favor and stay far away from this builder. They will take your money, lie to your face, and treat you poorly based on who you are. Unbelievable.
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2024
I typically don't write reviews, but when it comes to expenses like this, I feel it's important to share my experience so others don't have to go through the same thing. I purchased my townhome in February 2020 and had no significant issues until last fall. I started noticing leaks coming from the fire alarm in my master bedroom and the air vent in my closet. I submitted a repair request to the HOA, only to be told that roofing is not covered under the HOA covenants and is the homeowner's responsibility.
My insurance provider, Utica, informed me that the repair cost would be less than my deductible, so it was best to handle it myself. Two roofers initially recommended cleaning the dryer vents and resealing the area around the ventilation duct, quoting about $300 for the repair. In April 2024, I followed up with James Marshall from ProRoofing Repair, who estimated $385 for the job, but I received no response.
After cleaning the dryer vents, the leaks stopped until about three weeks ago when we had heavy rain, and now there is interior damage. When I contacted Utica again, they stated that since the issue wasn’t caused by an "act of God" but by poor installation, it was my responsibility, though they would cover the interior damage. I’m now on my fourth roofing estimate, and one roofer has even suggested I need a completely new roof. While I don’t believe that’s necessary, I do think Dan Ryan Homes is aware of the poor quality of work being done, which might explain why roofing is conveniently excluded from the HOA covenants. If they had done quality work from the start, this wouldn't have happened so quickly. I regret not doing more research on this builder before purchasing. I hope this serves as a warning to others.
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2024
Horrible new home builder. Also aka DBR homes. Constructed too fast with many mistakes and a horrible warranty. Builder does not take pride in its construction leaving debris in all of the sewer drains and staples and nails all over the street which cause flat tires of the current homeowners. Also horrible HOA’s picked for the communities. Stay far away from the builder.
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2024
Very poor quality materials and workmanship! Customer service I give a zero!!! Very disappointed. Many calls to customer service with no response or not believing our issues created by repair workers.
Reviewed July 1, 2024
DRB Builders in Metro DC area is the worst builder, my brand new home's roof started to leak after 2 years and when I reached out to the warranty guys, they just closed my case and were kinda being rude and saying we have all the legal terms signed by you. It is very unprofessional that they do not perform any inspection and hand over these kinda homes when we spend thousands of dollars. The same issues came up with neighbours as well. Please avoid and report them.
DRB Homes author review by Joseph Truini
DRB Homes is a privately owned, locally focused homebuilder that operates on the East Coast of the United States. It has been building homes for 25 years. Dan Ryan builds homes in six states: Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.
Provides energy-efficient homes: Buyers can purchase homes that save money by conserving energy and reducing the home’s carbon footprint.
Realtor-friendly builder: Prospective homebuyers can bring their own real estate agent to consultations and negotiations.
Consultants available: If you don’t have a real estate agent, you can consult with an agent provided by DRB Homes.
Hardhat tours available: Prospective homebuyers can tour homes under construction to get a first-hand look at the quality, features and style that they can expect in their own home.
Homes can be built quickly: Homebuyers can move in within three to five months of ordering their homes.
Joseph Truini is a home improvement expert who writes extensively about do-it-yourself home remodeling and repair, woodworking projects and tools and techniques. His work has appeared in several national magazines, including This Old House, Popular Mechanics, Country Living, Woman’s Day, and Today’s Homeowner.
DRB Homes questions and answers
- What problem is Dan Ryan Builders trying to solve?
- Dan Ryan Builders provides energy efficient, well appointed, solidly constructed new homes in the best locations.
- What sets Dan Ryan Builders apart from the competition?
- We are a Top 25 Private Homebuilder and #39 on the Builder 100 list. Being privately held, we report to our customers and not Wall Street.
- What needs does Dan Ryan Builders fulfill, and how does Dan Ryan Builders fulfill those needs better than the competition?
- Dan Ryan Builders’ mission statement revolves around “Better Value, Better Living.” This means the best built homes, in the right locations, with the right included features at an affordable price. We use the best materials available such as Typar House Wrap, Weyerhaeuser Gold Sub-Flooring, we have 2x6 framed exterior walls and modern home designs.
- How does Dan Ryan Builders measure success?
- By our customer’s level of happiness. Currently 94% of our customers would recommend Dan Ryan Builders to a family member or friend.
- What’s the most common misconception consumers have about Dan Ryan Builders?
- That Value means lowest price. Value means the right combination of location, price, design and quality.
- How has your industry changed in the last 5 years?
- The past five years, Dan Ryan Builders has grown organically while other builders have grown through acquisition or unfortunately, gone out of business. We believe that this is because Dan Ryan Builders cares a bit more about the customer experience, ensures a quality built home and has great locations and designs.
- What is something you wish every consumer knew about Dan Ryan Builders?
- We are so confident in our quality of construction that we pay a 3rd party to quality inspect every Dan Ryan Builders home.
- Has Dan Ryan Builders received any rewards or recognition for its services that your customers would like to know about?
- We have received numerous awards for our home designs, quality of employees and philanthropic efforts. However, we have received the prestigious, “Builder of Integrity” award consecutively 2008-2014. This award is given to a select few builders based off a low number of dissatisfied customers and how the instance is handled quickly.
- How has Dan Ryan Builders grown?
- We’ve grown from building pre-dominantly in the Washington DC area to now building in 6 states: PA, MD, VA, VA, NC & SC and 10 markets. We additionally have added an extensive line up of Estate Homes and Single Level Living homes to our portfolio.
DRB Homes Company Information
- Company Name:
- DRB Homes
- Year Founded:
- 1990
- Address:
- 64 Thomas Johnson Drive Ste 110
- City:
- Frederick
- State/Province:
- MD
- Postal Code:
- 21702
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.drbhomes.com