Our History
It helps to know someone’s past in order to know who they are. As we invite you to consider working with us and allowing us to shape your future, learn more about what had made Heartland Custom Homes a unique homebuilder in central Wisconsin.
Since 1972, we’ve been building homes throughout Central Wisconsin. That’s over 50 years! Our experience and past means we have the type of skills and reputation you’re looking for in a homebuilder.
From Struggling salesman to successful homebuilder:
Likely like your story, we’ve learned from struggle.
1960’s
In the late 60’s Bob Borneman moved from Milwaukee, where he was a city bus driver, to Wausau to take over the family farm. When farming didn’t work out, Bob tried his hand at selling highway billboards for Wisconsin Outdoor Displays. He walked into the office of a Wausau business man to sell him a billboard. After multiple attempts to sell him a billboard failed, Bob was hired to be a builder in Plover.
1972
In 1972 Bob Borneman Homes was founded and he built one of the first model homes on Hwy B in Plover. He sold new housing using a newer building practice known as closed wall panelized construction. His new homes were built in nearby Wausau and transported down the highway on semitrailers to his job sites.
In 1978 Bob bought some land across the street from a local farmer, where he built a new office and shop.
The early 1980’s proved challenging for the housing market, in 1980 Bob sold just four homes, down from 50 houses just five years earlier. He and his business survived the down turn and rebounded during the late 80’s.
1996
Having built over 600 homes since starting the company, Bob felt the need to pass the company onto the next generation. In 1996, Bob Evensen and Brice Nelson, two of his employees, purchased the company and rebranded it as Heartland Custom Homes. With their building and site planning expertise, Bob & Brice took the company to a whole new level. Together they developed their business into one of Central Wisconsin’s leading custom home builders, building homes for over 400 families!
2010
Striving to use the latest in systems built technology and 3D design software, Heartland Custom Homes joined the builder network of Blenker Building Systems and Envision Home at Last in Amherst in 2010. Still using the panelized technology that was started in the 1970’s, Heartland Customs Homes continues to provide a quality affordable custom dream home.
Your process involves getting to know us. Keep reading more about who we are and how we can help you build better living! In the same way, our process helps us get to know you so that we can use our history and experience to design and build the right home for you.