Melbourne, Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Melbourne, Iowa.
Melbourne, Iowa General Contractor
About Us
Established in 2020, Busy Builders was founded to bring integrity and honesty back to remodeling and homebuilding. We serve Melbourne and all of Marshall County, from small bathroom updates to complete custom home builds. This bedroom community near Iowa’s geographic center deserves contractors who deliver quality work and honest service.
Our Mission
Provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. Melbourne 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 Marshall County and beyond.
Full-Service Construction And Remodeling in Melbourne
New home construction in Melbourne, IA. This charming community of approximately 786 residents sits in the heart of Marshall County, just 18 miles from Marshalltown and about an hour from Des Moines. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau identified the geographic center of Iowa’s population as being located near Melbourne. Platted in 1882 by the Milwaukee Land Company, Melbourne offers affordable small-town living with convenient access to employment centers throughout central Iowa. We build custom homes designed for Iowa’s climate with proper foundations, energy-efficient systems, and quality finishes.
Complete home remodeling in Melbourne, IA. Melbourne has a resilient history, rebuilding after a fire destroyed the business district in 1903 and after a tornado struck the southern end of town in 1981. That resilience continues today as homeowners invest in their properties. Whether you’re updating an older home or modernizing a mid-century property, we understand the unique challenges of renovating in smaller communities where quality work matters.
We design and build kitchens in Melbourne, IA that balance function and style. Older homes often have original kitchens that benefit from modern updates. We customize solutions for your space, from cabinet refacing to complete renovations. Melbourne’s central location provides access to suppliers in Marshalltown, Ames, and Ankeny for competitive material pricing.
We remodel basements in Melbourne, IA to maximize your living space. Marshall County has elevated radon levels (predicted indoor screening levels greater than 4 pCi/L), making proper testing and mitigation essential for any basement project. We assess existing conditions, address radon and moisture concerns, and transform underused basement space into functional living areas.
In Melbourne, IA we transform bathrooms into functional, comfortable spaces. Older homes often have original bathrooms with dated fixtures, inadequate ventilation, and outdated plumbing. We handle complete renovations that bring bathrooms up to modern standards while working within the constraints of existing framing and plumbing runs.
We build home additions in Melbourne, IA that blend with your existing structure. Contact Melbourne City Hall at (641) 482-3338 for building permit information. Office hours are Monday-Wednesday 7am-4pm and Thursday-Friday 7am-1pm. We manage the permit process, ensure compliance with local zoning, and build additions that match your home’s architecture.
We finish basements in Melbourne, IA that add valuable living space. Given Marshall County’s elevated radon levels, we recommend testing as part of any finishing project. We install proper vapor barriers, insulation, and ventilation to create comfortable, healthy living spaces that effectively expand your home’s usable square footage.
We build decks in Melbourne, IA designed for Iowa’s weather extremes. Whether you want outdoor space for family gatherings, a deck to enjoy Melbourne’s parks, or a place to relax after Mousehole Days festivities, we construct outdoor living spaces built to last. From composite decking that handles freeze-thaw cycles to traditional wood with proper sealing, we build for Central Iowa’s climate.
Building in Melbourne and Southern Marshall County
Melbourne is a community of about 786 people in southern Marshall County. City hall can be reached at 641-482-3338, and county offices handle the surrounding unincorporated ground.
Towns this size run differently for a contractor. There is no supply house down the road, so we stage materials in fewer and larger deliveries and we group trades to avoid wasted trips. That planning is the difference between a Melbourne job running on schedule and running long.
Most homes here are older farmhouse and mid-century construction on lots with real room around them. Room is an advantage. It usually means an addition can go out instead of up, which avoids reworking a roof and is almost always the cheaper path.
What varies most is the foundation. Rural foundations in this part of the county run from poured wall to block to stone. Which one you have decides whether a basement finish is a finish job or a structural one.
Footings still have to reach 42 inches to sit beneath Iowa’s frost line.
We build across Marshall County. Homeowners in Marshalltown, State Center, Haverhill, and Ferguson call us for the same work.
Have a project near Melbourne? Call: 844-435-9800 and we will come look at it.
Permit rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the City of Melbourne before you commit to a budget or a timeline.
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 Melbourne.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Based on Average Pricing in Melbourne.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Windows
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Based on Average Pricing in Melbourne.
- Dream Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Melbourne, IA
How do building permits work in Melbourne?
Contact Melbourne City Hall at (641) 482-3338 or email citymelb@partnercom.net for building permit information.
Office hours are Monday-Wednesday 7am-4pm and Thursday-Friday 7am-1pm.
Permit requirements vary based on project scope.
We coordinate all permits and inspections for our clients.
What's Melbourne's history?
Melbourne was platted February 23, 1882 by the Milwaukee Land Company and incorporated December 30, 1895.
It was the only town in Marshall County served continuously by two major railroads, which helped it grow rapidly.
The town rebuilt after a fire destroyed the business district in 1903 and again after a 1981 tornado damaged the southern end of town.
Why is Melbourne significant to Iowa geography?
In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau identified the geographic center of Iowa’s population as being located in Marshall County near Melbourne.
This means Melbourne sits at the heart of where Iowans live, making it a truly central Iowa community.
Which school district serves Melbourne?
Melbourne is part of the West Marshall Community School District, shared with nearby State Center.
The district operates West Marshall Elementary, West Marshall Middle School, and West Marshall High School, with schools located approximately 15 minutes away in State Center.
What's the housing market like in Melbourne?
Melbourne has approximately 350 housing units with high owner-occupancy rates.
As a bedroom community with convenient access to Marshalltown, Ames, and Ankeny, Melbourne offers affordable housing for commuters.
Median household income is around $82,000, higher than many rural Iowa communities.
How far is Melbourne from major cities?
Melbourne is 18 miles from Marshalltown, 45 minutes from Ames, 35 minutes from Ankeny, 30 minutes from Altoona, 30 minutes from Newton, and about 60 minutes from Des Moines.
Its central location makes it ideal for commuters working throughout central Iowa.
Busy Builders regularly serves Melbourne from our West Des Moines base.
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