Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Home Building and Remodeling Services
Lumber One began in 1962 when Terry Schmid purchased a small lumber yard in Avon, Minnesota. Through decades of honesty, integrity, and dedication, the company has grown into one of Minnesota's premier custom home builders. Under the leadership of Barb Brandes, Ted Schmid, and Jack Brandes, Lumber One continues to prioritize exemplary customer service and quality craftsmanship. The company offers full-service building, contracting, and design solutions, including lumber yards, drafting services, and a retail store. With over 60 years of collective experience, the team specializes in new home construction, energy-efficient building, apartment contracting, and large-scale remodeling projects. Their commitment to personalized service ensures every client receives tailored solutions from initial design to final construction.Lumber Ones family legacy extends beyond residential construction into multifamily developments, commercial projects, and move-in-ready homes. The leadership teams extensive industry experiencespanning land development, zoning negotiations, and construction managementsupports their ability to deliver cost-effective, high-quality results. Client testimonials consistently highlight the companys reliability, transparency, and attention to detail across Central Minnesota. This foundation of trust and expertise has made Lumber One a trusted partner for thousands of satisfied homeowners and contractors.
Services
Residential Contractor
Multi-Family Homes
Drafting Services
Lumber Yards
Retail Store
Details
- Year established: 1962
Highlights and features
- We offer 60+ years of experience in custom home construction.
- Our family-led team prioritizes transparency and personalized service.
- We specialize in energy-efficient and multifamily residential projects.
- We provide comprehensive services from drafting to final construction.
- Our client testimonials highlight consistent reliability and quality.
What people say
Fantastic experience
Excellent service
Personalized attention
High-quality materials
On-time delivery
Services
Residential Contractor
Lumber One provides custom residential construction services, specializing in single-family homes, production homes, and multifamily projects. With over 60 years of industry experience, the team delivers energy-efficient designs, modern layouts, and tailored solutions. Clients benefit from transparent communication and project management from initial planning to completion.
Multi-Family Homes
The company excels in large-scale multifamily developments, including apartments and townhomes, with 40+ years of expertise. Services include feasibility estimates, architectural collaboration, and on-budget execution. Clients receive high-quality construction that meets strict deadlines while adhering to design specifications for residential complexes.
Drafting Services
Lumber One offers professional drafting for new construction, renovations, and site plans. Skilled experts work closely with clients to modify existing blueprints or create custom designs. The service ensures clarity and accuracy in project details, helping homeowners and contractors visualize and execute successful builds or remodels.
Lumber Yards
Full-service lumber yards provide quality materials, expert advice, and special orders for residential and commercial projects. Staff assist with product selection, job-site delivery, and material specifications. The Avon and Cold Spring locations stock brand-name products and hard-to-find items to support diverse construction needs.
Retail Store
The retail store offers doors, windows, siding, insulation, and tools for contractors and DIYers. Services include free estimates, product recommendations, and delivery to job sites. The selection combines essential building materials with specialized items to complete projects efficiently and cost-effectively.
People
Barb Brandes
Chief Executive Officer
Barb has led Lumber One since 2001, coordinating over 5,000 housing units and driving multifamily development. Her career spans decades in business management, ensuring the company's commitment to honesty and quality. She continues Terry Schmids legacy through strategic leadership and client focus.
Ted Schmid
Chief Operating Officer
Ted brings 20+ years of experience in residential and multifamily construction. He specializes in land development, zoning, and tax incentives. His leadership ensures project execution aligns with Lumber Ones standards for quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction across Minnesotas building landscape.
Jack Brandes
Vice President
Jack oversees single-family contracts and sales, leveraging his St. Johns University education and decade of field experience. As Past President of the Central Minnesota Builders Association, he champions innovation and client partnerships. His hands-on approach strengthens Lumber Ones industry presence.
Questions
What home building services does Lumber One offer?
Lumber One provides custom residential construction, multifamily developments, energy-efficient homes, and move-in-ready properties. Services include design, permitting, construction, and project management across Central Minnesota.
Do you serve areas outside Central Minnesota?
While focused on Central Minnesota, Lumber One has completed projects in surrounding regions, including St. Cloud, Alexandria, and Cambridge, leveraging local expertise for regional developments.
Are financing options available for new homes?
Lumber One offers mortgage services assistance to help clients navigate financing for custom or move-in-ready homes. Speak with our team for personalized guidance on available options.
What materials can I purchase through Lumber One?
Our lumber yards and retail stores stock doors, windows, siding, insulation, and specialty building products. If unavailable, we special order items to meet your project specifications.
Reviews (2)
T. C.
Feb 05, 2019
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Great Company and people to work with, they really take time to understand your needs and deliver a product that is second to none.
A. S.
Jun 04, 2018
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I do not recommend calling Avon Lumber One and working with Dave. We called to have some storm damage looked at for an insurance quote and he took over a week to get back to us. Then, when he finally came out to assess the damage, he didn't even bring a ladder with to climb on the roof (which is where we told him the damage was prior to him coming). Then he rescheduled to come out the next day with a "roof expert" and never showed up.
When we called to find out why he didn't come, he told us he looked at a house a mile down the road from us and they didn't have any damage so we likely don't either. I understand this likely isn't the most exciting type of work to do but then I would appreciate being referred elsewhere vs. shaken off. We have now wasted over a week waiting on Dave when we could have contacted another contractor. And for the record, we had over $8000 worth of damage according to the other contractor we contacted. Don't call Dave!
When we called to find out why he didn't come, he told us he looked at a house a mile down the road from us and they didn't have any damage so we likely don't either. I understand this likely isn't the most exciting type of work to do but then I would appreciate being referred elsewhere vs. shaken off. We have now wasted over a week waiting on Dave when we could have contacted another contractor. And for the record, we had over $8000 worth of damage according to the other contractor we contacted. Don't call Dave!
