Central Iowa's
General Contractor
Busy Builders delivers honest home building and remodeling across Central Iowa. From custom new construction to kitchen, bathroom, basement, and deck projects, one registered contractor handles it all with a written plan and no surprise charges.
Integrity and honesty in every project.
About Us
Busy Builders was founded in 2020 by trade professionals with decades of hands-on construction experience. They saw too many homeowners hit with vague estimates, surprise charges, and contractors who disappeared mid-project. So they built something different: a full-service general contractor rooted in transparency, clear communication, and craftsmanship that holds up over time.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. Whether you are finishing your basement or building a custom home from the ground up, you get a written plan, a clear estimate, and a registered contractor on site the entire time.
Our Values
Busy Builders holds active registration with Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), verifiable at dial.iowa.gov. Our electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians hold separate state licenses. We serve homeowners across a roughly 50-mile radius from our West Des Moines headquarters, covering communities from Ankeny and Grimes to Marshalltown and beyond.
- Achievement
Results built on trust and transparency.
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa. Every project starts the same way: a free estimate, a written plan, and a registered general contractor on site from day one. We are a registered Iowa contractor; Iowa Contractor Registration #C140184.
- All Construction Services
What Services Does Busy Builders Offer?
Busy Builders builds custom homes, spec homes, tiny homes, and multi-family residential projects across Central Iowa. Every build starts with a site assessment that covers grade changes, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and proximity to existing structures.
Iowa’s clay soil affects footing design from the start, and our team accounts for that before a single plan is drawn. We discuss layout options, material choices, and your budget early so you have a complete picture before signing anything.
Permit requirements differ by city. Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, and other Central Iowa cities each have their own submission process and review timelines. We confirm those requirements up front and factor them into your project schedule. You receive a written design, written cost estimate, and written timeline before work begins.
- Full site assessment covering grade, drainage, soil, and foundation proximity
- Layout and material options presented with Iowa climate performance context
- City-specific permit requirements confirmed before any work is quoted
Home remodeling covers layout changes, wall removal, new finishes and system updates in the house you already own. We start with a walkthrough, then write a scope that lists every room, material and trade before work begins.
Most remodels that move walls, plumbing or wiring need a permit, and each city sets its own submission and review steps. We file the permits, submit drawings where the city requires them, and schedule each inspection as part of your project scope.
Review times vary by city, so we build them into your schedule from day one. For a look at what whole-home remodeling costs in this market, read our 2026 Des Moines remodeling cost guide.
- Walkthrough and written scope for every room before work begins
- Load-bearing walls identified and supported before any removal
- Permits filed and inspections scheduled for you, start to finish
Busy Builders builds additions that match your existing structure and hold up through decades of Iowa freeze-thaw cycles. We build room additions, second-story additions, ADUs (accessory dwelling units), sunrooms, four-season porches, garage additions, primary suite additions, and kitchen expansions across Central Iowa.
Iowa’s 42 inch frost line sets how deep new footings go in most Central Iowa cities. Footings set too shallow can heave during freeze-thaw cycles and crack the structure above them. We stake the layout, mark all footing locations, and call 811 to locate underground utilities before any digging begins. Footing holes are inspected by the city before concrete is poured in jurisdictions that require it.
Additions start from $300 per sqft. Costs vary by addition type, size, and how the new space integrates with your existing home.
- Layout staked and footing locations confirmed before excavation
- Footings dug below the local frost depth, 42 inches in most cities
- 811 utility locate completed before any digging begins, per Iowa law
Busy Builders remodels bathrooms of every size, from half-bath updates to full primary suite renovations. Every project includes proper waterproofing behind the tile, not just grout. We handle custom showers, soaking tubs, glass enclosures, vanities, countertops, heated flooring, and exhaust fans vented to the outdoors.
Bathroom outlets get GFCI protection, and licensed electricians handle every circuit to code. Half-bath remodels typically run $6,500 to $16,000. Full bathroom remodels run $12,700 to $18,000. Primary suite renovations often range from $22,500 to $35,000 or more. Costs vary by scope, tile work, and plumbing complexity.
We remodel bathrooms in Ankeny, Waukee and across Central Iowa. We give you a written plan and written estimate before any work begins, with no surprise charges along the way.
- Waterproofing membrane behind all shower and tub tile
- Exhaust fan vented outdoors, sized for the room
- GFCI protection and fixtures installed by licensed trades
A kitchen remodel with Busy Builders covers everything from cabinetry and countertops to plumbing moves, layout changes, and electrical upgrades. We handle wall removal, new islands, range hoods, under-cabinet lighting, and custom features like built-in coffee stations and wine storage.
Cabinet lead times and pricing change through the year, so your written estimate confirms both before anything is ordered. Our 2026 Des Moines kitchen cost guide shows where the budget goes.
Framing, plumbing, and electrical work is permitted and inspected where the city requires it. Kitchen remodeling starts from $250 per sqft, with mid-range projects typically running $50,000 to $75,000. Costs vary by scope, materials, and layout complexity.
- Layout, cabinet and appliance plan approved in writing before ordering
- Load-bearing walls identified and supported before any removal
- Range hood vented outdoors where the layout allows
Basement remodeling is for homeowners whose lower level is already finished but no longer works. Maybe the layout is wrong, the finishes are outdated, or water got behind the walls and was never addressed properly. This is different from basement finishing, which converts unfinished space for the first time.
Before we write a single scope item, we assess moisture, radon levels, ceiling height, structural walls, egress status, and the condition of existing electrical and plumbing systems. Demo often reveals what prior contractors concealed. Basements finished before 2000 commonly have fiberglass insulation against foundation walls, which traps moisture and causes long-term problems.
Mid-range basement remodels with layout changes and updated systems typically run $45,000 to $70,000. Full rebuilds with wet bars, home theater setups, and luxury finishes often range from $70,000 to $190,000+. Always budget a 15 to 20 percent contingency for what demo reveals below the surface. Costs vary by scope and moisture history.
- Moisture, radon and egress checked before the scope is written
- Layout changes and system updates planned room by room
- Contingency for hidden conditions set in the written estimate
Basement finishing converts raw, unfinished space into livable square footage. Busy Builders has finished basements for Central Iowa homeowners since 2020, and every project starts the same way: a radon test and moisture assessment before framing begins.
Every Iowa county sits in EPA Radon Zone 1. According to Iowa HHS, as many as 5 in 7 Iowa homes test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. We never frame a single wall before that test is done. Insulation goes against foundation walls using closed-cell spray foam or rigid foam board, never fiberglass batt, which traps moisture in Iowa’s clay-heavy soil environment.
Any bedroom below grade needs an emergency escape opening under section R319 of the 2024 IRC as Iowa adopted it. That means at least 5.7 square feet of net clear opening, 20 inches wide and 24 inches high, with a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor. Ceiling height must reach at least 7 feet for habitable space. A basic 800 square foot family room typically runs $28,000 to $36,000. A full suite with a bedroom and bathroom often runs $50,000 to $175,000+, depending on finish level. Costs vary by size, rough-ins, and finish level. Read our overview of the real impact of basement finishing before you decide.
- Radon test and moisture check before any framing
- Foam insulation on foundation walls, no fiberglass batts on concrete
- Egress opening sized to code for every basement bedroom
Busy Builders designs and builds outdoor decks that hold up through Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles, clay soil movement, and extreme seasonal temperature swings. Footings go below the 42 inch frost depth most Central Iowa cities require, unless the city approves a freestanding deck exception. Posts sit on post bases, not buried in concrete, which traps moisture and causes rot. Post bases are embedded in footings or attached with load-rated hardware.
Lighting and electrical rough-in happens after framing so wiring runs cleanly through the structure. Post-cap lights, recessed step lights, and outdoor GFCI outlets are the most common additions on Central Iowa decks. Custom features like pergolas, built-in benches, outdoor kitchens, and fire pit areas are built at this stage. All electrical work is completed by licensed electricians and inspected to code.
Basic pressure-treated wood decks start around $15 to $35 per sqft. Mid-range composite decks with railings and stairs run $30 to $60 per sqft. High-end composite or PVC builds with pergolas and custom features run $50 to $100 or more per sqft. Costs vary by materials, size, and features. For a deeper look at material options, read our guide to wood vs. composite decking in Iowa’s climate.
- Post cap lights, step lights, and GFCI outlets installed and inspected
- Pergolas, built-in seating, and outdoor kitchen features built to spec
- Licensed electrician on all wiring, permitted and inspected before project close
Honest Pricing for Every Project
Additions
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price. Costs vary by scope, materials, and complexity.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price. Costs vary by scope, materials, and complexity.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Backsplash
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price. Costs vary by scope, materials, and complexity.
- Custom Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
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- Frequently Asked Questions
Construction and Remodeling FAQs in Central Iowa
What services do you offer in Central Iowa?
Busy Builders is a full-service general contractor serving Central Iowa since 2020. We provide new home construction, full home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, basement remodeling, deck building, and custom home additions. Our team has completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa.
Do you only take on large projects?
Busy Builders handles projects of all sizes. From a bathroom refresh to a full custom home, we have the experience, the registered contractor status, and the crew and trade partners to deliver. Every project starts with a free written estimate and a clear plan before work begins. Call 844-435-9800 to talk through your project.
How long does a typical project take?
Timelines vary by project type and scope. Bathroom remodels typically take 3 to 8 weeks. Kitchen remodels usually run 6 to 10 weeks. Basement finishing often takes 6 to 12 weeks. Home additions generally run 3 to 6 months. Custom home builds typically take 8 to 12 months from permit to final walkthrough.
Permit processing times in Central Iowa vary by city and affect every timeline. We build permit timelines into your schedule from the start so nothing catches you off guard. You receive a written schedule before work begins.
Do you provide design and planning services?
It depends on the condition of the boxes and how much of the layout you want to change. If the cabinet boxes are solid, the doors close correctly, and the layout works for your household, refacing or repainting is a cost-effective way to update the look without the expense of full replacement.
If the boxes are damaged, the layout needs to change, or the existing cabinets do not reach the ceiling and you want a cleaner built-in look, full replacement delivers a better long-term result. Cabinet pricing changes through the year, so your written estimate confirms it before anything is ordered.
We assess cabinet condition during the planning phase and give you a straight answer on which direction makes financial sense for your specific kitchen. No upsell, no pressure.
What areas in Central Iowa do you serve?
Busy Builders serves a wide range of Central Iowa communities, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, Grimes, Norwalk, Ames, Altoona, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Colfax, Newton, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Waukee, and surrounding areas. If your city is not listed, call 844-435-9800. We serve approximately a 50-mile radius from West Des Moines and may be able to help.
Do you offer free estimates for your services?
Yes. Busy Builders provides free, detailed written estimates so you know exactly what to expect before your project begins. You also receive a written plan and a written timeline. There are no surprise charges. Call 844-435-9800 or visit our contact page to schedule your free estimate today.
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