Bathroom Remodeling
Central Iowa
Your bathroom should work as hard as your morning does.
If yours has a shower that leaks, a layout that wastes space, or fixtures that look two decades old, it’s costing you time and comfort every single day.
Busy Builders fixes what isn’t working and rebuilds it the way it should have been done from the start.
- Bathroom Contractor
Full-Service Bathroom Remodeling
About Us
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed over 1,000 bathroom remodeling and construction projects across Central Iowa.
We specialize in bathroom remodeling for homeowners who are done working around a space that slows down their morning, leaks behind the tile, or simply looks 20 years out of date.
Whether the problem is a failing shower surround, a layout that wastes space, or plumbing that has never worked right, we treat every bathroom like it belongs to us.
Our Mission
Honest pricing, a clear plan, and no surprise charges on every bathroom remodeling project in Central Iowa.
We assess what your bathroom actually needs before any demo begins, and we tell you plainly what can stay and what has to go.
We will not upsell you on work your bathroom doesn’t require.
Our Vision
We want to be the registered general contractor that homeowners in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, Grimes, Johnston, Altoona, Clive, Norwalk, and Indianola call first for bathroom remodeling and recommend to their neighbors without hesitation.
Every project we complete is a chance to earn that reputation one bathroom at a time.
- Bathroom Remodeling Step By Step
How Do We Remodel Your Bathroom?
ASSESSMENT & PLANNING
Before any demo, we walk through the bathroom and assess what’s worth keeping and what needs to go.
We check for water damage behind walls, subfloor condition, existing plumbing and electrical locations, and ventilation setup. Many older Central Iowa bathrooms have exhaust fans venting into the attic, undersized electrical panels, or corroded supply lines, and we catch all of it before work begins.
Permit requirements are reviewed for your specific city before anything is quoted. You get a written scope of work and timeline before we touch a single tile.
- Full condition assessment of plumbing, electrical, subfloor, and ventilation
- Water damage and mold check before demo begins
- Written scope of work with timeline and cost before any work starts
DEMO & WATER DAMAGE REPAIR
Demo is where hidden problems show up.
Water damage, mold behind tile, rotted subfloor, and failing waterproofing are common in Iowa bathrooms, and Iowa’s seasonal humidity fluctuations accelerate mold growth behind improperly waterproofed surrounds, often invisible until demo day.
Any damage we find gets fixed before rebuilding begins.
Subfloor repairs, mold remediation, and plumbing corrections all happen at this stage, because we don’t cover up problems.
- Selective or full demo based on remodel scope
- Mold remediation, subfloor repair, and rotted framing replacement
- All hidden water damage addressed before any new materials go in
PLUMBING ROUGH-IN
Moving a toilet, adding a second sink, or relocating a shower drain all happen while the walls and floor are open. This is the least expensive time to change plumbing locations. Doing it after walls close costs significantly more and adds weeks to the timeline.
All rough-in work is done by licensed plumbers and inspected before walls close.
We also replace corroded supply lines and upgrade shutoff valves during this step. Review bathroom remodeling costs in Central Iowa to understand how the plumbing scope affects your budget.
- Toilet, sink, and shower drain relocation while walls and floors are open
- Supply line replacement and shutoff valve upgrades
- Licensed plumber on all rough-in work, inspected before walls close
ELECTRICAL ROUGH-IN
Electrical rough-in covers new circuits, outlet locations, lighting wiring, exhaust fan wiring, and heated floor connections.
Iowa NEC 2023 with state amendments requires GFCI protection on every bathroom outlet, not just the ones near the sink. If your bathroom is in an older home, this step often uncovers outdated wiring that needs to be brought up to code before anything else moves forward.
All electrical is done by licensed electricians, pulled with permits, and inspected before drywall goes up.
See the Iowa NEC 2023 electrical code for the full requirements.
- New circuit installation for lighting, outlets, exhaust fan, and heated floors
- GFCI protection on all bathroom receptacles per Iowa NEC 2023
- Licensed electrician on all wiring, permitted and inspected before drywall
WATERPROOFING & SUBFLOOR PREP
Waterproofing is the step most homeowners never see, but it determines whether a bathroom lasts 5 years or 25.
We apply a waterproofing membrane behind all tile in showers, tub surrounds, and wet walls. Tile and grout alone do not stop water. Iowa’s humidity swings create constant pressure on grout lines, making a proper membrane non-negotiable in Des Moines metro bathrooms.
Subfloor is leveled, repaired, and prepped before any tile or flooring goes down. Skipping this step is the number one reason bathroom tile jobs fail in Iowa.
- Waterproofing membrane applied behind all shower and tub tile
- Subfloor leveling and repair before any flooring or tile is set
- Cement board or equivalent backer installed on all wet wall surfaces
TILE & FLOORING INSTALLATION
Tile work is where the bathroom starts to look like what you planned.
We set floor tile, shower tile, tub surround tile, and accent tile with proper layout, spacing, and grout selection. Iowa’s hard water is hard on grout, so we use sealers and materials rated to hold up to mineral buildup over time. For non-tile areas, luxury vinyl plank and heated floor systems are installed during this step.
The EPA’s guidance on moisture control explains why proper installation and sealing matter long after the crew leaves.
- Floor tile, shower tile, and tub surround tile set with proper installation
- Luxury vinyl plank and heated floor system installation in non-tile areas
- Grout sealing and edge caulking at all floor-to-wall transitions
DRYWALL & CEILING
Moisture-resistant drywall goes on all bathroom walls.
Standard drywall fails quickly in high-humidity spaces, so we use greenboard or cement board in wet zones and moisture-resistant drywall in dry areas throughout.
Ceilings are finished smooth and primed for paint. Iowa code requires a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches in bathrooms, and we plan around existing structural constraints to maximize usable height.
- Moisture-resistant drywall on all bathroom walls and ceiling
- Cement board or greenboard in all wet zones per Iowa building code
- Smooth finish on all surfaces, primed and ready for paint
VANITY, FIXTURES & CABINETRY
Vanity, toilet, mirrors, and cabinetry go in once tile and drywall are complete. We set countertops, mount sinks, connect plumbing, and install all cabinetry level and secure.
Fixture selection happens during the planning stage, so lead times don’t delay the project.
This is the step where an Ankeny or Waukee bathroom stops looking like a construction zone and starts looking like a finished room.
- Vanity, countertop, and sink installation with plumbing connections
- Toilet, mirror, and cabinetry installation and leveling
- All fixture connections tested before moving to final finishes
PAINTING & VENTILATION
Painting happens after tile and cabinetry, so walls can be cut in cleanly around everything already in place.
We use moisture-resistant bathroom paint. Standard interior paint peels and stains within a year in a humid bathroom, which is why the right product matters here.
Exhaust fan installation and final ductwork connection to the exterior also happen at this step. Iowa code requires fans to vent outdoors, and we never run exhaust into the attic, regardless of how the original setup was done.
Final inspections are scheduled through the Iowa DIAL permit and inspection process.
- Moisture-resistant paint applied in two coats for clean, lasting coverage
- Exhaust fan connected and vented to the exterior per Iowa building code
- Final inspection scheduled with your city before project handoff
FINAL FINISHES & WALKTHROUGH
Final finishes are the details that make everything feel intentional and complete.
Towel bars, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, outlet covers, light switch plates, mirror mounting, and door hardware all go in at this stage.
We do a detailed walkthrough with the homeowner to check every surface, every connection, and every finish before we call the project done.
Most Central Iowa bathroom remodels run 3 to 8 weeks from start to finish.
Read our guide on how to prepare your Iowa home for a remodel so you know exactly what to expect.
- Towel bars, hardware, outlet covers, and all finish accessories installed
- Full function test on all plumbing, electrical, and ventilation before handoff
- In-person walkthrough and quality review with homeowner
- Achievement
Your Dream, Our Passion.
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 Bathroom Remodeling in
Central Iowa
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Central Iowa?
Costs vary based on scope, and there are three main tiers to understand.
A half-bath or cosmetic refresh with new fixtures, paint, and a vanity typically runs $8,000 to $15,000. A full guest or secondary bathroom remodel usually falls in the $15,000 to $30,000 range.
A primary suite bathroom with custom tile, a double vanity, and a walk-in shower runs $30,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on materials.
The biggest cost drivers are plumbing relocation, tile work complexity, and whether waterproofing or subfloor repair is needed. Busy Builders provides a detailed written estimate before any work begins.
See our full bathroom remodeling costs in Central Iowa guide for a complete breakdown.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Most bathroom remodels run 3 to 8 weeks from demo to final walkthrough, depending on the scope.
Simple updates like new fixtures, a vanity swap, and paint can finish in 2 to 3 weeks. Full remodels with custom tile, layout changes, or plumbing moves typically take 6 to 8 weeks.
Permit processing time in your city affects the start date. Des Moines, Ankeny, and Waukee all move at different speeds, and we factor that into the schedule we give you before work begins.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Iowa?
Yes, for any plumbing, electrical, or structural changes.
Cosmetic updates like paint, mirrors, and hardware swaps typically don’t require permits.
Iowa requires all registered contractors earning $2,000 or more per year to register with DIAL, and Busy Builders is fully registered. Skipping permits creates problems at resale, with insurance, and with lenders.
We pull all permits and schedule all inspections as part of every project scope.
Review the Iowa DIAL permit submission process for your city’s specific requirements.
Should I keep my tub or replace it with a walk-in shower?
The right answer depends on your household and how many tubs are in the home.
If this is the only tub in the house, removing it can hurt resale value because buyers with young children want at least one.
If the home has a second tub elsewhere, converting the primary bath to a walk-in shower is almost always a better use of space. Walk-in showers are the most requested upgrade in Des Moines metro bathroom remodels and appraise well when done with proper tile and waterproofing.
See our full breakdown in shower or tub: which adds more value in Iowa.
What bathroom upgrades give the best return on investment?
Updated showers with proper waterproofing and tile, double vanities, and modern lighting return the most at resale in Central Iowa.
Mid-range bathroom remodels in Iowa return roughly 70 to 80% of cost. Heated floors and walk-in showers are consistently the most requested upgrades among homeowners across the Des Moines metro.
Quality waterproofing behind tile is the most important upgrade buyers will never see, but one that protects the value of everything visible above it.
Permits and professional installation matter as much as the materials you choose.
How do you protect the rest of my home during a remodel?
We seal off the work area with plastic barriers to contain dust and debris from the rest of your home.
Floors and hallways leading to the bathroom are protected from traffic and tool movement throughout the project. Crews clean up at the end of every workday.
A bathroom remodel happens inside your home, and we treat it that way from day one to the final walkthrough.
Read our guide on how to prepare your Iowa home for a remodel so you know exactly what to expect.
- Newest Blogs
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