Adel Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Adel, Iowa.
Adel, Iowa General Contractor
About Us
Established in 2020, Busy Builders was founded to bring integrity and honesty back to remodeling and homebuilding. We serve Adel and all of Dallas County, from small bathroom updates to complete custom home builds. As the county seat and a growing community along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, Adel deserves contractors who deliver quality work and honest service.
Our Mission
Provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. Adel 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 Dallas County and beyond.
Building in Adel and Around Dallas County
Adel runs its own building department. Permit applications and inspections go through Community Development at city hall, not the county. Call 515-993-4525 before you set a start date, because plan review time varies with how busy the season is.
Adel splits into two very different jobs for us. Near the courthouse square the homes are old. Old here means plaster walls, knob-and-tube leftovers, and floor joists never sized for a kitchen island. We open a wall and find out what is really there. On the newer ground west and south of town the work changes. There we are building from scratch or finishing a basement in a house barely a decade old.
Lots along the North Raccoon River need a harder look at drainage and footing depth. Iowa foundations must reach at least 42 inches to sit below the frost line, the depth where the ground stops freezing. River-adjacent soil can change what that costs.
We work across Dallas County. Homeowners in Dallas Center, De Soto, Van Meter, Waukee, and Perry call us for the same work.
Planning a project in Adel? Call: 844-435-9800 and we will walk the site with you.
Permit rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the City of Adel before you commit to a budget or a timeline.
What each project costs and requires in Adel
Adel grew from 3,682 residents in 2010 to 6,153 in 2020, and the Census Bureau estimated 7,098 in 2025. The city’s Community Development Director handles building inspections in house, and the code of ordinances sets the rules. Each card below opens with a price where we publish one, then the Adel rule that shapes the work.
Home Building in Adel
New homes start from about $150 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Adel’s code sets job site rules for every new home. The site needs a staked-down portable toilet, a temporary address and protection that keeps dirt off the street. A dumpster or trailer stays from start to finish, with trash secured. Zoning also sets a floor on house size, from 1,000 square feet of living space in R-1 to 2,000 in R-3. For a home valued between $100,000 and $500,000, the city permit fee starts at $900, plus $5 per $1,000 above $100,000. Many homeowners ask what a general contractor actually does, and these site rules are part of the answer.
Home Remodeling in Adel
Adel’s zoning code says no building may be structurally altered without a zoning and building permit. Remodels fall under the 2006 International Existing Building Code listed in the city’s ordinance, the code for work on existing homes. A substantial remodel carries the same site rules as a new build, from a portable toilet to a secured dumpster. Plumbing and electrical work use their own online permit applications. The Building Official enforces the code and may adopt added rules with Council approval. We complete more than 100 projects a year, most of them additions, full remodels and basement finishes.
Kitchen Remodeling in Adel
Kitchen remodels start from about $250 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. A full kitchen runs about 6 to 12 weeks from approval through the final punch list. New sink lines and circuits follow the state codes, the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code. Each trade has its own residential permit application on the city website. If an inspection fails, Adel charges $42 an hour for the return visit, with a one-hour minimum. Tile, countertops, added outlets and plumbing moves are the items owners most often underestimate.
Bathroom Remodeling in Adel
We have quoted hall bathrooms from about $3,000 to $5,000 for a light refresh. Large primary baths have reached about $60,000. A typical three-quarter or full bath without big moves lands around $15,000 to $20,000. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. New fixtures and circuits in Adel go through the city’s residential plumbing and electrical permit applications, separate from the building permit. Licensed plumbers and electricians we coordinate do that work. Most bathroom jobs grow only when the owner adds wiring, plumbing or lighting after the first estimate.
Basement Finishing in Adel
A basement finish in Adel needs a permit, and plumbing and electrical changes use their own permit forms. A failed inspection costs $42 an hour, one hour minimum. The city’s ordinance lists the 2006 International Residential Code as its residential code, so we confirm the edition in force at plan review. A basement bedroom needs an egress window with 5.7 square feet of net clear opening and a sill no higher than 44 inches. Radon is very common on our Des Moines area basement jobs. We make mitigation part of the finish, not an add-on.
Basement Remodeling in Adel
Reworking a finished basement in Adel starts with a permit, since the city’s zoning code requires one before any structure is altered. The online application asks for construction plans and any documents the state code requires. Plumbing and electrical changes use separate permit forms. Adel’s Community Development Director handles the city’s building inspections. A failed inspection costs $42 an hour, one hour minimum, so we prepare before each visit. A new bedroom needs an egress window with 5.7 square feet of net clear opening and a sill no higher than 44 inches.
Opening old walls is where the surprises are. Our crew most often finds mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and old wiring. We have also rebuilt basements other contractors botched, including one with concrete spilled into the sump pit. Licensed trades we coordinate fix the wiring and plumbing before new framing is closed. The permit lapses if work has not begun within 180 days, so we set start dates with that in mind.
Deck Building in Adel
Adel’s zoning code gives open decks some room. An open, unenclosed deck may extend 10 feet into the back yard or the front yard. In the R-1 district, that rear yard is 25 feet deep. A deck still needs a zoning and building permit, since the code covers anything erected or added to. We price decks by size, height, stairs and material, and put the number in writing. One customer had us build a deck and later remodel the basement, after a bad run with another contractor.
Home Additions in Adel
Additions start from about $300 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Adel’s setbacks depend on the district. In R-1, homes keep 25-foot front and rear yards and 15 feet of combined side yard, with at least 7 feet on one side. R-2 moves to 30-foot front and rear yards with 10 feet per side. R-3 lots need a 50-foot front yard and a 60-foot rear yard. All three single-family districts cap homes at two and a half stories or 35 feet.
The application needs two copies of a scaled plan showing lot lines, existing and new buildings, floor area, utilities and easements. Work must start within 180 days and be substantially done within two years. Iowa’s SF 592 allows an accessory dwelling unit up to 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger. Cornices and similar trim may reach only two feet into a required yard. We build attached garages and safe rooms on request.
Our Building Partners.
- Achievement
Your Project, Our Passion.
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa.
Quality Construction at the Right Price.
Additions
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Backsplash
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Custom Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Adel, IA
Do I need a permit for remodeling in Adel?
The City of Adel handles building permits through City Hall at 301 S. 10th Street.
Contact the Building Department at (515) 993-4525.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Permit applications are available for download at adeliowa.org or pickup at City Hall.
Commercial electrical permits are obtained through the State of Iowa.
We coordinate all permits and inspections for our clients.
What building codes does Adel follow?
Adel operates under the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC).
The city’s Code Compliance Officer, Steve Nichols, handles all building inspections and compliance concerns.
Properties within the downtown historic district may have additional requirements reviewed by Planning & Zoning.
What's the housing market like in Adel?
Adel is experiencing strong growth as part of Dallas County, one of Iowa’s fastest-growing counties.
Average household income is over $106,000.
Housing ranges from historic homes near the downtown square to newer suburban developments.
The median home value has risen steadily as Des Moines metro families seek small-town living with easy commutes.
What school district serves Adel?
Adel is served by the ADM (Adel-DeSoto-Minburn) Community School District, formed in 1993.
The district mascot is the Tigers.
Quality schools are a major draw for families considering Adel.
How far is Adel from Des Moines?
Adel is approximately 22 miles west of Des Moines via US Highway 6, about a 25-minute drive.
The city offers easy commuting access to Des Moines metro employment.
Busy Builders regularly serves Adel from our West Des Moines base, approximately 20 miles away.
What makes Adel unique for homeowners?
Adel is the Dallas County seat, and its Community Development Director handles building inspections in house.
The Dallas County Courthouse (1902) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Properties in the downtown historic district may have added requirements, so confirm with the city before exterior work.
Older homes near the courthouse square often have plaster walls and floor joists never sized for a kitchen island. We open a wall before we price.
- Our Blog
