Wisconsin’s most discerning homeowners know there is one name they can trust – Burg Homes
It’s not hard to understand why people choose to live in Wisconsin. From the lakes and forests to the tight-knit communities and world-famous Packers fandom, the state offers a quality of life that’s drawing increasing numbers of new residents – and giving long-time locals even more reason to invest in their homes.
For those looking to build or renovate, Burg Homes has become one of Eastern Wisconsin’s most trusted names, as a builder that combines craftsmanship with a genuine understanding of how people want to live in the state.
Modern Home Builders is joined by key members of the Burg Homes team to dig deeper into its approach to quality, consistency and customer relationships. Nate Hilt, Director of Business Development, begins by identifying what he calls its ‘specialty’. “We think outside the box,” he states. “We don’t offer design directly, but we work closely with a range of architects and interior designers, and we can deliver a range of different styles, from ultra-modern to traditional. Our niche is in the luxury build sector, for a discerning clientele.”
Delivering a vision
Standing as a pure builder, Burg Homes focuses all its energy and attention onto the construction side, a change that was implemented almost a decade ago. “The decision was made to concentrate on the build, because that is where we excel,” explains Nate. “We undertake a significant amount of pre-construction work as well as project management from beginning to end. We pride ourselves on our builds being self-performed – from framing to finish carpentry, we have our own highly-experienced carpentry crews, which allows us to have far more control on quality, schedule, and the overall result. This is a big differentiator for us.”
Burg Homes breaks the process down into three stages: initial consultation, pre-construction and contract, and finally the construction phase, which ends with project handover and post-construction support. “The initial consultation, which is vital and designed to foster a meaningful connection with a client, is where we understand the client’s needs, provide an overview of the potential scope of work and suggest the next steps to move forward,” summarizes Nate. “Pre-construction and contract is where the Burg Homes team prepares for the project’s scope and design, and manages various tasks, including site analysis, preliminary design, and permitting.
“Then we move into the actual construction phase,” continues Nate. “This is where the vision begins to take shape, and from site preparation to final inspections, the Burg team is on hand to inform and update clients, ensuring they can be confident in the result.”
When it comes to homes, Nate notes that the business is not tied to a style, rather, it prides itself on delivering the architects’ plans and clients’ specific vision. While highly experienced in traditional builds, its current order book shows an uptick in transitional and modern contemporary styles. “We have just finished a transitional design on Green Lake – in fact, we have constructed many lake homes in this area,” he reveals. “However, while the final homes look different, we still adhere to the same level of precision, quality and care in each delivery.”
Supporting technology
He also notes the important role played by Burg Homes as a collaborator between architect and client. “Architects and designers focus on areas such as aesthetics and space management, so, in some ways, we are the voice of reason, advising on the practicalities of budget, construction timeline, and the technical build aspects,” Nate says. “We make sure the architect understands our goals and perspectives, and we get our sub-contractors involved in the build early. Having those primary conversations around plumbing, electrical, and mechanicals is extremely helpful for a successful project. From my perspective, that helps a project stay on budget, and on schedule.”
As Jordan Weed, Project Manager and Partner at Burg Homes, notes, it is essential to complete the correct preparation before the project commences. “In my experience, if a project is started a little too soon, and designs and decisions are being made on the fly, then it will not run smoothly. The best projects are those that have all the information and plans together first.”
“We’re really focused on that pre-construction work, and over the past year or so, we have identified how critical it is,” Nate underlines. “Making sure that the selections, costs, and schedule are organized ahead of time makes life easier for everybody.”
This intensive planning and focus on high levels of organization is supported by various technology solutions. Reflecting its overall philosophy, collaboration was a major driver in Burg Homes’ recent decision to migrate to a new software package called Ressio. “Ressio is making the collaboration between our customers, our trade partners, and everybody within the office easier,” explains Nate. “It covers pre-construction, scheduling, change order, bids, contracts and so on. Our previous solution wasn’t working for us, the staff weren’t keen to use it, and we must move away from old-school paper systems and stay ahead of the curve. While it doesn’t happen overnight, we have found our transition to Ressio is going very smoothly.”
A single CRM that covers everything from initial contact to warranty information, and integrates with the accounts system, is a valuable resource for the whole team. Behind technology, though, are the principles that have driven the company’s success from the beginning. “How the Burg Homes team takes care of customers really stands out as a key foundation for our success,” says Nate. “The relationships we form, the way we go above and beyond – all the elements along the journey are so important, with the last touch probably having the greatest impact, as that is the one clients remember. The team does a great job at having those positive touches at every single stage.”
“A lot of customers end up as friends,” agrees Jordan. “We form long-lasting relationships, which result in repeat business, and we’ve done multiple projects with a lot of our clients.”
While customer service is paramount, the quality of the build is also crucial. “The level of craftsmanship within our teams is extraordinary,” adds Nate. “Our success is built on a combination of how we treat our customers and the exemplary quality of the product that we create.”
Increasing efficiency
A clear division of focus across the leadership team is central to how Burg Homes operates. “Nate is all about growth and profitability, whereas I’m focused on completing the projects underway,” says Tony Burg, Project Manager and Partner. It is a balance that allows the business to pursue new opportunities without losing sight of the quality and client experience that has defined it.
For Tim Freund, Field Operations and Partner, operational efficiency is equally front of mind. “We are focused on being as efficient as possible in the delivery of our homes,” he states. “We want to grow with the times and embrace the available technology and adapt to new solutions as they become available. A lot of field activities come under my remit, such as monitoring manpower and resources, and every day there’s new technology that we must learn and implement out in the field. So, for me, 2026 is going to be a period of staying up to date with new technology and assessing if a new tool will increase efficiency across our processes.”
“Scheduling is part of this too,” Jordan notes. “Being able to manage a job and keep it on schedule is a bigger challenge than I think most people realize. It’s not just a matter of aligning the different trades. We must be diligent with efficient scheduling across all our projects, so any software that can create efficiencies and make someone’s life easier is important for us to investigate.”
Building techniques, products and tools are also factors to be considered as part of a Burg Home project. “Ultimately, we make the architect’s vision a reality. But there is a lot going on in that picture, and it’s up to us to figure out the best techniques, skills and materials to build this house. There’s a lot of building science behind all of this,” Tim notes. “While we can talk about software and technology, we still need to use hands to build a project, and we have to deliver the highest levels of skilled craftsmanship within our projects.”
These combined qualities tell the story of what Burg Homes is and where it is headed. “We hear from clientele that house building is the most stressful time of their life, and we argue it shouldn’t be,” Nate concludes. “If you’re working with the right group, that has the right process, skills and people, this should not be a traumatic process. We try to be the voice of reason. We love building houses and are on hand to guide our clients every step of the way.”