A Legacy of Milestones: The Story Behind Odd Fellows Contracting
If you’ve lived through the ups and downs of life, chances are you’ve hit a few milestones along the way—some expected, some surprising. I believe a business, like a person, experiences its own set of milestones—moments that shape its identity, growth, and legacy.
My time at Odd Fellows Contracting has been nothing short of an adventure, and as we celebrate over 30 years of residential remodeling in the Lansing, MI area, I’ve been reflecting on the journey.
How It All Began
The Odd Fellows story is, at its core, simple. Two unlikely young men—Dave and Bret—started as carpenters working their day jobs. In their spare time, they took on small evening and weekend “odd jobs” to earn extra income. Before long, those side projects became so steady they left their day jobs and launched what would become a full-time remodeling business. The name “Odd Fellows” was born from those early, humble beginnings.
What kept us going? Maybe it was our competitive spirit. Maybe it was hearing story after story of other contractors not showing up or following through that inspired us to be different. Or maybe it was Dave’s wife, Sarah, who helped keep our heads on straight. Whatever it was, one thing became clear—we built our company on a promise: do what we say, follow up, follow through, and treat people with care and respect.
Early Memories & Hard Lessons
Some of my fondest memories involve working alongside Dave Fox—always early, always reliable, and always committed to his family and clients. I remember having dinner with Dave, Sarah, and their boys, and the first basement remodel we completed together. After three weeks of hard work, we split just $300. That job taught us more than any profit ever could—and that lesson stuck with us.
Over time, we went from just the two of us to hiring helpers, then sub-contractors, then building full-time crews. I’ll never forget the night we hit half a million in sales. Dave and I stayed up late, walking the downtown streets in a warm summer rain, celebrating what felt like a giant leap forward.
Growing with Purpose
From there, the milestones kept coming—some big, some small, all meaningful. Finding the right Project Manager was a challenge we faced again and again, but we were determined to find someone who aligned with Odd Fellows’ values and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Then came:
- Our first million in annual sales
- Our first full-time estimator and designer
- Our first crew van—and then our second, third, and now fourth
Each new role, each new crew, each new project helped us grow into the design-build remodeling company we are today.
Giving Back & Staying Grounded
Even as we’ve grown, we’ve remained committed to our core mission: “A Quality Remodeling Experience.” We’ve had the privilege of giving back through local efforts like Heroes at Home, Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, and by sponsoring youth sports in our local communities. Supporting our neighbors is as much a part of our legacy as the homes we’ve remodeled.
The Real Milestone
But our biggest milestone isn’t a number or a project—it’s the ability to serve this community for over 30 years. It’s the handwritten cards, heartfelt handshakes, and clients who say, “We’re going to miss you folks.”
One card I received recently captures the feeling perfectly. It reminded me why this journey has been so worth it—and why I look forward to what’s next.
Here’s to another 30 years of doing what we love: helping homeowners in Williamston, Okemos, East Lansing, and across the Greater Lansing Area love where they live.
Thank you for being a part of the Odd Fellows family.