Kitchen Remodeling
Central Iowa
The kitchen is the most-used room in your home and the one that affects daily life the most when it isn’t working.
If yours has cramped countertops, cabinets that don’t close right, outdated appliances, or a layout that makes cooking feel like a chore, Busy Builders fixes it.
We remodel kitchens across Central Iowa from cosmetic refreshes to full gut remodels with honest pricing, a clear written plan, and a registered general contractor on site from permit to final walkthrough.
- General Contractor
Full-Service Kitchen Remodeling
About Us
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed over 1,000 construction and remodeling projects across Central Iowa.
We specialize in kitchen remodeling for homeowners who are done working around a layout that doesn’t fit how they cook, entertain, or live.
Whether the problem is outdated cabinets, failing plumbing, a wall in the wrong place, or finishes that look 20 years old, we treat every kitchen remodel as if it were our own.
Our Mission
Honest pricing, a clear written plan, and no surprise charges on every kitchen remodeling project in Central Iowa.
We tell you what your kitchen actually needs before any demo begins, and we do not upsell scope that isn’t required.
Our Vision
We want to be the registered general contractor that homeowners in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, and Grimes call first for kitchen remodeling and recommend to every neighbor who asks.
- Kitchen Remodeling Step By Step
How Do We Remodel Your Kitchen?
ASSESSMENT & PLANNING
Before any demo begins, we walk through the kitchen and assess what is worth keeping and what needs to go.
We check existing plumbing locations, electrical panel capacity, ventilation setup, subfloor condition, and structural wall placement.
Many older Central Iowa kitchens have undersized electrical panels, outlets without GFCI protection, exhaust fans that vent into the attic instead of outside, and corroded supply lines hidden behind cabinets.
We catch all of it before work is scoped so costs are predictable from the start. You get a written scope of work, design, and fixed estimate before we touch anything.
Read our guide on 10 signs it’s time to remodel your kitchen or bathroom if you are still deciding whether the timing is right.
- Full condition assessment of plumbing, electrical, ventilation, and subfloor
- Hidden damage, code violations, and system deficiencies identified before work is scoped
- Written scope of work, design, and fixed estimate confirmed before any work begins
PERMITS & APPROVALS
Kitchen remodeling projects in Central Iowa that involve structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, or HVAC alterations require a building permit.
Iowa Building Code is administered through DIAL under Iowa Administrative Code agency 481, and each city in the Des Moines metro has its own submission process and review timeline.
We file all required permits, submit drawings where required, and schedule all inspections as part of the project scope.
Unpermitted kitchen work creates problems at resale, with insurance carriers, and with mortgage lenders.
Review the Iowa DIAL permit submission process for your city’s specific requirements.
- Permit application filed for all structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scope items
- Drawings submitted where required by local building departments
- All inspections scheduled and managed, homeowner doesn't track a thing
DEMO & HAZARD REMEDIATION
Demo is where hidden problems show up.
Water damage behind cabinets, mold under flooring, rotted subfloor around the sink, and outdated wiring are common in Central Iowa kitchens built before 2000.
Iowa’s seasonal humidity fluctuations accelerate moisture damage in kitchens that have had any plumbing issues over the years, often invisible until demo day.
Any damage we find gets fixed before rebuilding begins. We do not cover up problems that demo uncovers.
Selective or full demo is performed based on the project scope and all debris is removed before new work begins.
- Selective or full demo based on remodel scope, all debris removed before rebuilding
- Mold remediation, rotted subfloor repair, and water damage correction where needed
- All hidden plumbing and electrical issues addressed before any new work begins
STRUCTURAL CHANGES & FRAMING
Wall removals, new openings, and layout changes all happen at this stage.
Load-bearing walls are identified and properly supported before any removal begins.
Headers and beams are sized per Iowa building code for the spans and loads involved.
Opening up a kitchen to an adjacent dining or living room is one of the most common structural changes in Central Iowa kitchen remodels, and proper beam sizing at that opening is what determines whether the project passes structural inspection and performs safely for the next 30 years.
Structural inspections are scheduled and passed before mechanical work begins.
- Load-bearing wall identification and proper structural support before any removal
- Headers and beams sized per Iowa building code for all spans and loads
- Structural inspection scheduled and passed before any mechanical rough-in begins
PLUMBING ROUGH-IN
Moving the sink, adding a second sink, relocating a dishwasher drain, or running a refrigerator water line all happen while the walls and floor are open.
This is the least expensive time to change plumbing locations in a kitchen. Doing it after walls close costs significantly more and adds time to the project. We replace corroded supply lines and upgrade shutoff valves during this step as a matter of course on older Central Iowa homes.
All rough-in work is done by licensed plumbers, pulled with permits, and inspected before walls close.
- Sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator line relocation while walls and floors are open
- Supply line replacement and shutoff valve upgrades on older Central Iowa homes
- Licensed plumber on all rough-in work, permitted and inspected before walls close
ELECTRICAL ROUGH-IN
Electrical rough-in covers new circuits, outlet locations, under-cabinet lighting wiring, pendant fixture rough-in, exhaust fan wiring, and dedicated appliance circuits for refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves.
Iowa NEC 2023 with state amendments requires GFCI protection on all countertop receptacles in kitchens, and dedicated circuits are required for most major appliances.
Many Central Iowa kitchens built before 2000 are undersized for modern appliance loads and need panel upgrades at this stage.
All electrical work is performed by licensed electricians, pulled with permits, and inspected before drywall closes the walls.
- New circuits, outlet locations, and dedicated appliance circuits roughed in while walls are open
- GFCI protection on all countertop receptacles per Iowa NEC 2023 amendments
- Licensed electrician on all wiring, permitted and inspected before drywall
VENTILATION & RANGE HOOD ROUGH-IN
Range hood ventilation is one of the most commonly done wrong details in Central Iowa kitchen remodels.
Iowa building code requires exhaust to vent to the exterior, not to recirculate inside the kitchen or vent into the attic.
We run the exhaust duct from the range hood location to an exterior wall or roof penetration with proper backdraft damper and weather cap.
Duct sizing is matched to the range hood CFM rating so the ventilation system actually performs at the capacity the hood is rated for.
Getting this step right protects the kitchen from grease buildup, moisture damage, and air quality issues for the long term.
See Energy.gov’s guidance on kitchen ventilation for more on why proper exhaust matters.
- Range hood exhaust ducted to exterior with proper backdraft damper and weather cap
- Duct sizing matched to range hood CFM rating for full ventilation performance
- Iowa code compliant venting, never recirculating or venting into the attic
DRYWALL & CEILINGS
Drywall goes up once all mechanical inspections are passed.
We hang, tape, mud, and sand every surface to a smooth paint-ready finish.
Moisture-resistant drywall is used on all kitchen walls, particularly behind the backsplash area and above the sink where humidity and splashing are constant.
Ceilings are finished smooth and primed for paint. Any soffit work around upper cabinets or above the range hood is built cleanly so the finished ceiling reads as intentional rather than an afterthought.
Every surface is primed before paint so the finish coat applies evenly and holds up to the daily demands of a kitchen environment.
- Moisture-resistant drywall on all kitchen walls, particularly behind backsplash and above sink
- Smooth ceiling finish primed and ready for paint
- Soffit construction around upper cabinets and range hood built cleanly to ceiling
CABINET INSTALLATION
Cabinets go in after drywall is complete and walls are primed.
Upper cabinets are hung first, then base cabinets are set and leveled across the floor.
Every cabinet is secured to studs with proper fasteners. Iowa’s humidity swings cause wood to move seasonally, and we account for that movement in how cabinets are gapped and fitted so doors and drawers operate correctly year-round.
Crown molding, light rail, filler strips, and decorative end panels are fitted after the cabinet runs are set.
This is the step where the kitchen starts to take the shape of what was planned months earlier in the design phase.
- Upper cabinets hung before base cabinets set and leveled across the floor
- All cabinets secured to studs with proper fasteners accounting for Iowa's humidity movement
- Crown molding, filler strips, and end panels fitted after cabinet runs are complete
COUNTERTOPS, BACKSPLASH & SINK
Countertops are templated after cabinets are fully installed and leveled.
Quartz and granite slabs are fabricated to the template and installed with proper support and adhesive.
Undermount sinks are set before the countertop is installed, so the cutout is clean and sealed correctly.
Backsplash tile is set after countertops are in place so the bottom row sits directly on the counter surface for a clean, watertight transition.
Iowa’s hard water is hard on unsealed grout, and we use sealers rated to hold up to the mineral content common in Central Iowa municipal water.
All plumbing connections at the sink are made and tested before moving to the next step.
- Countertop templating after cabinets are fully set, fabricated and installed to spec
- Undermount sink set before countertop for a clean sealed cutout
- Backsplash tile set after countertops with sealed grout rated for Central Iowa's hard water
APPLIANCES, FIXTURES & HARDWARE
Appliances are delivered and installed after countertops and backsplash are complete so finished surfaces aren’t damaged during delivery.
Refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave are connected, tested, and confirmed operational before the project moves to final finishes.
Faucets, garbage disposals, and soap dispensers are connected and tested at the sink.
Light fixtures, pendants, and under-cabinet lighting are installed and connected by the licensed electrician.
Cabinet hardware, drawer pulls, and knobs go on last so nothing gets scratched during the appliance and fixture phase.
- Appliances delivered, installed, connected, and confirmed operational before final finishes
- Faucets, garbage disposal, and sink accessories connected and tested
- Light fixtures, pendants, and under-cabinet lighting installed and connected by licensed electrician
FLOORING & PAINTING
Flooring and final paint happen in coordination at the end of the project.
Paint is applied to walls and ceilings after cabinets and tile are complete so every edge is cut in cleanly. We use moisture-resistant kitchen paint because standard interior paint fails fast in a high-heat, high-humidity cooking environment.
Flooring is installed after paint is complete so finished floor surfaces aren’t damaged by other trades.
Transition strips between the kitchen and adjacent rooms are fitted cleanly so every connection looks intentional.
Read our guide on cost-efficient kitchen renovation strategies if you are managing a tight budget heading into this phase.
- Moisture-resistant kitchen paint applied after cabinets and tile for clean cut lines
- Flooring installed after paint is complete to protect finished surfaces
- Transition strips between kitchen and adjacent rooms fitted cleanly at project close
FINAL WALKTHROUGH & CLEAN UP
The final walkthrough is where we go through every detail of the kitchen together before calling the project complete.
Every appliance, plumbing fixture, electrical outlet, light switch, GFCI circuit, cabinet door, and drawer is tested before the walkthrough begins.
Every surface, connection, hardware piece, grout line, and finish detail is reviewed side by side with the homeowner.
If anything doesn’t meet the standard we set at the start of the project, we fix it before handoff.
The crew removes all tools, materials, debris, and protective coverings so the kitchen is clean and ready to use from day one.
All permit documentation and inspection records are handed over at project close to protect your investment at resale and with your insurance carrier.
- Full kitchen inspection of every surface, appliance, fixture, and finish detail with the homeowner
- Function test on all plumbing, electrical, appliances, GFCI circuits, and ventilation before handoff
- Complete clean up and delivery of all permit documentation and inspection records at project close
- Achievement
Trusted Kitchen Remodeling Contractors in Central Iowa
Since 2020, over 1,000 Central Iowa homeowners have trusted us to build and remodel their dreams, and it shows.
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Kitchen Remodeling
Central Iowa
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Central Iowa?
Kitchen remodeling in Central Iowa starts at $250 per square foot and varies based on scope, cabinet quality, countertop material, and whether structural or mechanical changes are needed.
A cosmetic refresh with new cabinet fronts, countertops, and appliances typically runs $25,000 to $45,000.
A mid-range full remodel with new cabinetry, quartz countertops, updated electrical, and layout adjustments runs $45,000 to $80,000.
A high-end custom kitchen with layout changes, premium cabinetry, and custom features runs $80,000 to $150,000 or more.
Online calculators typically miss permit costs, electrical panel upgrades, and plumbing relocation costs that are common in older Central Iowa homes.
Busy Builders provides a detailed written estimate before any work begins.
See our full kitchen remodeling costs in Central Iowa guide for a complete breakdown.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Central Iowa?
Most kitchen remodels in Central Iowa run 6 to 12 weeks from demo to final walkthrough, depending on scope and permit processing time in your city.
A cosmetic refresh with no structural or plumbing changes can finish in 3 to 5 weeks.
A full remodel with cabinet replacement, countertops, new appliances, and electrical updates typically runs 8 to 10 weeks.
A full gut remodel with layout changes and structural work runs 10 to 14 weeks.
Permit processing time in Des Moines, Ankeny, and Waukee all differ, and we build those timelines into the project schedule upfront so there are no surprises.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Iowa?
Yes, for any work involving structural changes, electrical modifications, or plumbing updates.
Cosmetic swaps like new hardware, paint, and light fixture replacements that don’t require new wiring typically don’t need permits.
Iowa Building Code is administered through DIAL under Iowa Administrative Code agency 481, and Busy Builders is a fully registered contractor in Iowa.
We file all permits and schedule all inspections as part of every project scope. Skipping permits on kitchen work creates problems at resale, with insurance carriers, and with mortgage lenders.
Review the Iowa DIAL permit submission process for your city’s specific requirements.
Should I keep my existing cabinets or replace them?
It depends on the condition of the boxes and how much of the layout you want to change. If the cabinet boxes are solid, doors close correctly, and the layout works for the household, refacing or repainting is a cost-effective way to update the look without the cost of full replacement.
If the boxes are damaged, the layout needs to change, or the existing cabinets don’t reach the ceiling and you want a cleaner built-in look, full replacement delivers a better long-term result.
We assess cabinet condition during the planning phase and give you a straight answer on which direction makes financial sense for your specific kitchen.
Can you remove a wall to open up my kitchen?
Yes, and it is one of the most requested changes in Central Iowa kitchen remodels. Before any wall removal is planned, we identify whether the wall is load-bearing and what is running inside it, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC ducts.
A load-bearing wall requires a properly sized header or beam to carry the load it is supporting, and that work needs to be permitted and inspected.
A non-load-bearing partition wall is straightforward to remove once the mechanical systems inside it are rerouted.
Both are manageable as part of a kitchen remodel scope, and we price the structural work into the written estimate before any demo begins.
How do you keep my home livable during a kitchen remodel?
We seal off the work area to contain dust and debris from the rest of the home.
We protect floors and hallways throughout the project and clean up at the end of every workday.
For most Central Iowa kitchen remodels, the kitchen is inaccessible for 6 to 12 weeks, so we recommend setting up a temporary kitchen area with a microwave, coffee maker, and mini fridge before demo begins.
Read our full guide on how to prepare your Iowa home for a remodel so you know exactly what to expect from day one to final walkthrough.
- Newest Blogs
Kitchen Remodeling Blogs for Central Iowa
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Des Moines? Your 2026 Planning Guide
Is 2025 the year for a kitchen remodel? Learn from Des Moines pros on trends, tips, and designs to elevate your cooking space. Transform your home today!
Hidden Costs in Whole House Remodels Iowa Homeowners Always Miss
Planning a whole house remodel in Central Iowa is exciting. But for most homeowners, the final bill lands well above the original estimate. This guide walks through the seven...
Whole House Remodel ROI: What to Expect at Resale in Des Moines
Most homeowners assume expensive kitchen and bathroom remodels deliver the best returns. The data says otherwise. Eight of the top 10 ROI projects are exterior replacements. A $4,672 garage...