Slater, Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Slater, Iowa.
Slater, Iowa General Contractor
About Us
Established in 2020, Busy Builders was founded to bring integrity and honesty back to remodeling and homebuilding. We serve Slater and all of Story County, from small bathroom updates to complete custom home builds. This small rural community deserves contractors who deliver quality work and honest service, even for projects in towns where some contractors won’t travel.
Our Mission
Provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. Slater homeowners deserve contractors who show up when promised, communicate clearly, and deliver quality work at fair prices.
Our Vision
To serve all of Central Iowa with dedicated construction services, from West Des Moines through Story County and beyond.
Full-Service Construction And Remodeling in Slater
New home construction in Slater, IA. Slater is the closest Story County city we serve, about 22 road miles from Des Moines. That keeps crews and deliveries efficient across a long build. The city does not publish a fee schedule and says costs vary by project. So we get the permit number in writing before we set your budget. Safe Building of Polk City inspects. Home building starts around $150 per square foot.
Home remodeling in Slater, IA. Most Slater houses date to 1960 through 1979, and the interior walls are what people want changed. Slater requires a permit for any structural change, and for demolition, so even removing an interior wall goes on paper. We file first. Median household income runs $97,500 against a median home value of $232,800, so we help you size the work to the street. That conversation happens before design, not at the end of it.
Kitchen remodeling in Slater, IA. A 1960s or 1970s Slater kitchen is usually a separate room. It has a single doorway to the dining room and about nine feet of counter. Opening that wall is the request we hear most. We check what the wall carries before we price it, because in that era it often carries the ceiling. Any structural change needs a Slater permit, which we pull before demolition.
Basement remodeling in Slater, IA. Basements under 1960 to 1979 houses here usually carry an older finish that trapped moisture behind it. We open the walls, check the block and the slab, and handle drainage before any new framing. Slater does not publish an adopted code edition, so we confirm the standard with the building official first. That one call prevents a bad surprise at the framing inspection. Slater permits demolition too, which covers stripping an old finish.
Bathroom remodeling in Slater, IA. Houses from the 1960s and 1970s usually have one full bath with a five foot tub alcove and a small vanity. Families in the Ballard district often want a second bath before the kids reach high school. Moving a wall to get there counts as a structural change, so Slater requires a permit. Safe Building of Polk City handles the inspections, and we book them early.
Home additions in Slater, IA. With a median home value of $232,800 and household income near $97,500, most Slater additions are about staying rather than trading up. That is a good reason to build. We keep the addition in proportion to the block so the house still sells well later, though nobody can promise a return. Additions typically start around $300 per square foot, on footings below the 42 inch frost line.
Basement finishing in Slater, IA. A basement bedroom needs an egress window with 5.7 square feet of net clear opening, and habitable space needs a 7 foot ceiling. Measure at the lowest duct, not in the open middle of the room. Iowa averages 8.5 pCi/L of indoor radon against 1.3 nationally, and as many as 5 in 7 Iowa homes test high. We test before we finish. A 5.7 square foot opening often means enlarging the old foundation opening, which is real concrete work.
Deck building in Slater, IA. Slater is one of five towns on the High Trestle Trail. That 25 mile route runs from Ankeny through Sheldahl, Slater and Madrid to Woodward. Trail traffic changes how people use a back yard, so privacy planning matters more here than in most small towns. Slater permits fences too, so we file for both together when they go in as one project. Footings go 42 inches deep.
Building in Slater and Story County
Slater sits about 22 road miles from Des Moines, the closest Story County city we serve. Crews arrive early there, and a supply run does not eat half a day.Permits come from the City of Slater at 101 Story St, 515-685-2531. The rule here reaches further than most people expect. Slater requires a permit for any permanent structure or structural change, and it names fences specifically. Demolition needs one too. That catches plenty of small projects homeowners assume are free.Fees are not published. The city says costs vary by project, which is honest but hard to budget against. So we describe the real scope to the city, get the number, then price the job. Safe Building of Polk City inspects.The adopted code edition is not published either. We confirm the working standard with the building official before we draw plans. That keeps a framing inspection from becoming an argument.Most Slater housing went up between 1960 and 1979. Median household income is $97,500 against a median home value of $232,800. That gap matters. There is income to fund good work, and the comps stay modest, so we talk openly about how much finish a house can carry.Slater is one of five towns on the High Trestle Trail, and Ballard Community School District serves the town.Call 844-435-9800. Permit rules and fees change, so confirm both with the city before you commit to a budget.
Our Building Partners.
- Achievement
Your Dream, Our Passion.
Since 2020, more than 1,285 Central Iowa homeowners have trusted us with their projects, and it shows.
Quality Construction at the Right Price.
Additions
Based on Average Pricing in Slater.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Based on Average Pricing in Slater.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Windows
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Based on Average Pricing in Slater.
- Dream Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Slater, IA
Do I need a permit for a fence in Slater?
Yes. Slater requires a permit for any permanent structure or structural change, and the city names fences specifically. Demolition needs one too. That reaches further than most small towns, and it catches projects homeowners assume are free. We file for the fence and the deck together when they go in as one job.
What does a permit cost in Slater?
Slater does not publish a fee schedule. The city says costs vary by project, which is honest but not much help when you are building a budget. So we call 515-685-2531, describe the actual scope, and get the number before we hand you a price. We would rather make that call than pad an estimate.
Can we build a deck facing the High Trestle Trail?
Slater is one of five towns along the High Trestle Trail. The route runs 25 miles from Ankeny through Sheldahl, Slater and Madrid to Woodward. Trail-facing yards see real foot traffic in season. We plan deck height, railing style and screening with that in mind, and we pull the permit like any other structure.
Who inspects work in Slater?
Safe Building of Polk City handles inspections for Slater. The adopted code edition is not published, so we confirm the working standard with the building official before we draw plans. That one call keeps a framing inspection from becoming an argument. We schedule inspections as soon as a footing or framing date is firm.
How far is Slater from Des Moines?
About 22 road miles, which makes it the closest Story County city we serve. That matters more than it sounds. Crews get there early, deliveries land on time, and a supply run does not cost half a day. It is one reason Slater projects tend to hold a predictable schedule from start to finish.
Our budget is bigger than what homes here sell for. Is that a problem?
It is worth talking about openly. Median household income in Slater is $97,500 against a median home value of $232,800. There is income to fund good work, and the comps stay modest. We will tell you where a finish level stops paying back at resale, and we never guarantee what a project returns.
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