30 Years
& Counting
In 1995, Dan Schaefer and Brett Bunkers created Oakwood Builders Group, a business that reflects this “personality” and has grown because of it. Friends since their early school years, they trust each other, the team members, and enjoy what they do.
Each owner contributes life-long associations with the many facets of the construction industry. Dan is a second generation builder. Brett’s family has been involved for three generations with the communications, design and business skills. The result is a company that serves its customers’ needs and inspirations, keeps them satisfied and keeps them aware throughout the construction process.
Dan and Brett approach each project and each customer with not only top-notch skills, but also with the core values that have kept their business energized and growing.
Do your best work, honestly and without regret.
Treat customers with respect.
Communication is king. Oakwood professionals want customers to be honest about their expectations and to give continuous feedback.
Owners are responsible for all work being performed in a project.
Each job is as important as the one before and the one to come.
Enjoy what you do and the people that are part of it.
This is how great reputations are built…and what keeps Oakwood Builders Group at the top of its field.
Meet the Crew
Dan
Home construction is in Dan Schaefer’s blood. His father, Vince, was a general contractor in Des Moines who owned his own home building business, and Dan spent years learning the trade alongside him. After attending Iowa State University, Dan teamed up with his childhood friend, Brett, to start a trim carpentry business. As their work grew, so did their scope, expanding into remodeling and custom home building, which ultimately became the foundation of Oakwood.
Over the years, Dan’s role has evolved to focus more on leadership, company growth, and helping guide the direction of the team that continues to move Oakwood forward. He feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such fantastic clients and on such exciting projects, and he is proud that Oakwood has become a company built largely through word of mouth and strong relationships.
Dan’s favorite part of the process has always been the design phase, where ideas turn into something tangible and meaningful for each client. He believes Oakwood’s strength comes from a commitment to quality, integrity, and a process that brings clarity and confidence to homeowners. Those values continue to guide the company as it grows and transitions, including the planned ownership succession beginning with Andrew in 2026 and the continued development of future leaders within the team.
After all these years, Dan still feels grateful to do work he loves alongside people he respects. He and Brett have built Oakwood on a foundation of collaboration and shared effort, always willing to step in wherever needed because every detail matters.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, Maureen, and their growing blended family, including children, spouses, and grandchildren. He enjoys traveling, playing an occasional round of golf, and most of all, making memories with his family.
Brett
Construction has been a part of Brett Bunkers' life for as long as he can remember. After earning a degree in art and design from Iowa State University, he followed his passion for building and teamed up with his lifelong friend, Dan Schaefer, to start a trim carpentry business that eventually grew into Oakwood.
Over the years, Brett's role has evolved from working in the field to leading projects and helping manage the company, but his focus remains the same: delivering quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. He takes pride in the strong relationships Oakwood has built, the talented team that supports every project, and the trust the company has earned through decades of referrals and long-standing client relationships.
For Brett, what sets Oakwood apart is its commitment to honesty, attention to detail, and doing what's best for the homeowner. After more than 30 years in business, he still enjoys meeting new clients, building lasting relationships, and working alongside Dan to continue growing the company they built together.
Outside of work, Brett enjoys biking, golfing, attending live music events, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on the Cyclones.
Andrew
Andrew is an Operations Manager at Oakwood and has been a part of the team since 2013. He first discovered his passion for construction while attending Augustana, where he spent summers selling in-ground pools and soaking up the outdoors. After earning his building trade certificate from DMACC, he worked at a siding company before finding his true calling at Oakwood. Andrew was drawn to the way Oakwood approaches home construction from a macro perspective, overseeing projects from start to finish rather than focusing on one aspect of it. Andrew loves the challenge that each project at Oakwood presents and how no two jobs are ever the same. He is a skilled problem-solver and enjoys tackling any issue that arises, whether it involves helping pick out the paint color of a home or coming up with a totally different room layout to make it more functional. Andrew’s excellent communication and coordination skills ensure that everyone involved in a project is well-informed and on the same page.
In his personal life, Andrew loves to spend time with his wonderful wife, Mallory, and their three kids: Sloane, Bohannon, and Callen. In addition, he loves fishing, coaching soccer, and going out to dinner with his wife.
Jace
Jace grew up around construction, following in his father’s footsteps and developing an early appreciation for the industry. After gaining experience in the electrical field and moving to Des Moines, he joined Oakwood and now serves as a Project Manager, helping bring clients’ visions to life.
Known for his strong communication and problem-solving skills, Jace takes pride in bringing teams together and keeping projects on track. He believes quality means doing things right the first time, without cutting corners, and ensuring clear communication every step of the way.
Jace’s favorite part of the job is helping clients transform their space into something they truly love while building lasting connections along the way. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and is always up for a cold Modelo.
Erich
Erich brings over 15 years of experience in commercial construction and project management to Oakwood. After a career in commercial construction, he joined Oakwood and has enjoyed expanding his expertise into the residential world in his role focused on sales and estimating for the company.
Erich appreciates the variety of projects at Oakwood and the ability of the team to execute work at a high level across all types of builds. He brings a well-rounded perspective shaped by experience in different areas of construction, allowing him to better understand each project from multiple viewpoints.
For Erich, quality goes beyond materials and craftsmanship. It includes the entire client experience, from the first meeting through project completion, always keeping the homeowner’s best interest at the center of the process. He values Oakwood’s strong team culture and the way everyone supports one another to get the job done right.
Outside of work, Erich enjoys spending time with his three kids, Ollie, Beau, and Scout, staying active outdoors, and coaching wrestling at Des Moines Roosevelt. He is also a big hockey fan (go Flyers!).
Daniel
Daniel’s journey to Oakwood started through his connection with Andrew, his former coach, who recognized Daniel's potential and encouraged him to join the team. Drawn to hands-on work, Daniel was never one to be confined to a desk, and his passion for home building comes from the excitement of transforming spaces and seeing the dramatic changes that can occur.
At Oakwood, Daniel is committed to ensuring that every job is done correctly and efficiently. He values the camaraderie among the team and thrives in the fun, supportive atmosphere that makes each day at work enjoyable.
In his free time, Daniel enjoys watching soccer, working on side projects, and staying busy with tasks like working on cars or building decks.
Colten
Colten’s passion for building runs deep, rooted in a family history of craftsmanship that dates back to his great-great-grandfather, a Danish carpenter. After getting his start in the DMACC building trades program, he joined Oakwood and has grown into his role as a Project Manager, helping bring clients’ visions to life.
Known for his curiosity and commitment to quality, Colten is always learning and refining his craft. He believes true quality goes beyond what you see. It is built on integrity, consistency, and doing things the right way every time. He also credits earning his Eagle Scout rank for shaping his leadership and strong work ethic.
Colten’s favorite part of the job is seeing clients genuinely excited about their finished space. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, working in his shop, and spending time with family and friends, especially being the best (and coolest) dad he can be.
Janice
Janice joined the Oakwood team in 2016 after being a stay-at-home mom for several years. A friend who had a house built by Oakwood recommended the company as a great place to work, and Janice couldn’t be happier with her decision. With a degree in business management and customer service experience from her previous role, she is the go-to person for all office-related tasks, handling everything from payroll to accounts payable and receivable. Her dedication and attention to detail ensure everything is completed accurately and efficiently.
Janice loves Oakwood’s small, family-oriented culture and values feeling respected by leadership.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, playing pickleball, riding her bike, traveling, and attending live music performances, from local bands to big-name artists.
Ian
Ian’s interest in home building began early, helping his dad with projects around the house and eventually working alongside him full time for nine years. Today, as a Project Manager at Oakwood, he enjoys watching projects take shape and seeing a customer’s vision come to life, especially during the finishing stage when everything finally comes together.
Ian brings experience in project management from the commercial construction world, including work on historical renovations. He believes quality means understanding what the customer wants and striving to exceed those expectations.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys woodworking, home projects, playing hockey, and spending time with his son Felix and his wife Alexandria. A fun fact about him is that he considers himself a mid-century modern enthusiast.
Alex
Alex’s path to Oakwood began with a background in landscaping, where he developed a strong interest in construction through hands-on projects. Wanting to pursue that passion further, he attended DMACC for construction management and gained experience working a summer in new construction before ultimately joining the Oakwood team.
At Oakwood, Alex finds the most fulfillment in seeing a project come together and the satisfaction of happy clients at the end of a job. He believes quality means going the extra mile and holding his work to the highest standards, as if he were building his own home. Known for his positive attitude and attention to detail, Alex takes pride in contributing to the team’s success.
What Alex enjoys most about working at Oakwood is the people he works alongside and the strong sense of teamwork they share. Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with friends, watching sports, golfing, and relaxing on the lake.
Tim
Tim Sullivan joined Oakwood in 2017, bringing several years of construction experience in commercial building. Over time, he discovered a passion for residential construction and enjoys being part of the process that helps transform clients' visions into reality.
As a key member of Oakwood's field team, Tim oversees logistics and deliveries while also handling demolition work to help keep projects moving efficiently. He takes pride in being part of a team committed to quality craftsmanship and exceptional service, and values the collaborative culture that makes Oakwood a leader in the industry.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and staying active whenever he can.
We want to meet you.
We’ll prepare a proposal and walk you through every step of the process.