About Us
Central Iowa's Design-Build Contractor
We're a Central Iowa custom home builder with 13 years of experience and a process designed around one thing: keeping you informed and in control from day one.
Who We Are
Black Oak Development is a custom home building and residential construction company based in Central Iowa. We work with homeowners who want a structured, transparent building experience and a home built to last.
Our Approach
Our approach comes from 13 years of hands-on experience across residential and commercial construction.
That background shapes how we manage every project: organized preconstruction, realistic budgets, and communication that keeps you informed at every stage.
How We Work
Most of the frustration people experience in construction comes down to two things: unclear costs and poor communication. We built our process around solving both.
Before a shovel hits the ground, we align on design, budget, and scope. As the project develops, we provide updated pricing so you always know where you stand. If adjustments need to be made, we bring options and honest guidance, not surprises.
We follow an integrated delivery approach, the same method used by some of the most respected general contractors in the country. It means design and budget develop together, decisions are made in the right order, and nothing moves forward until you have a clear picture of what it costs.
What We Build
We specialize in custom single-family homes, home additions, and whole home renovations in Central Iowa. New construction is where we do our best work. It's where our preconstruction experience, attention to detail, and design-conscious approach create the most value for the homeowners we work with.
We are selective about the projects we take on. Our focus is quality over volume, and we work best with clients who share that priority.
Who We Work With
Our clients are typically building or significantly improving a home for the first time. They're balancing a real budget against real expectations, and they want a builder who will tell them the truth — especially when it matters most.
If that sounds like you, we'd like to talk.
Meet The Founder
Our founder Ruben Hernandez, spent the early part of his career in the field, building homes from the ground up. Over time that work expanded into preconstruction and project management on commercial projects across Iowa, including large-scale senior living, mixed-use, and multi-family developments.
That experience on the commercial side, where budgets are scrutinized, schedules are managed tightly, and coordination is everything, is what we bring back to residential construction. It's not common in this market. We think it should be.
This Is What Building Should Feel Like
Clear process. Honest pricing. A builder who stays in your corner. Schedule a discovery call and see the difference.