The Founder's Journey

Dave Story.

A lifelong resident of southeast Michigan since age 12, Dave Barrett was born in Billings, Montana, and moved to Clinton Township when his parents relocated to manage a large manufactured housing community. Growing up immersed in the world of property management and maintenance, Dave started working alongside his dad in the industry at just 13—cutting grass, plowing streets, building decks, painting, and tackling whatever needed doing. His parents instilled in him a rock-solid work ethic, strong ethics, and a simple rule: always do the right thing.

His dad taught him the foundations of the trades, and over the years Dave gained hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of building and repair—from finishing drywall and framing walls to installing complete HVAC ductwork and furnaces, rewiring entire homes, and roofing (a role he held for three years and still handles today). While he's not claiming to be an instant "expert," Dave has always been driven to learn the best ways to approach every project, constantly seeking out cutting-edge products and new technologies that improve homes and buildings for the long haul.

One of his main frustrations with the industry is contractors with subpar training, a lack of genuine care for the client, and those who prioritize profit over quality—cutting corners, skipping important details, or rushing jobs at the expense of lasting results. Dave has witnessed the real damage this causes to homes, budgets, and people's trust firsthand, which is why he's made it his personal mission to raise the bar in the contracting industry by consistently delivering excellence, reliability, and true value on every single job.

As a full-service licensed contractor, Dave puts quality and customer satisfaction above everything else. He listens closely to his clients, works hard to exceed their expectations, and understands the real-world budget constraints many commercial clients face. He focuses on finding smart, effective solutions that solve problems without breaking the bank.

Dave has worked side-by-side with community managers, manufacturers, and industry leaders to raise the bar and build better outcomes for everyone involved. But his biggest "why" is family—his own wife and kids come first, and he sees his employees and partners as family too. He invests in their growth, experience, and future because he believes there's far more to life than money. Raising everyone around him up is what drives him every day.

"Our family works hard to be the most trusted and reliable service provider for YOUR family."— Dave Barrett, BarrWood Founder