Construction and Remodeling Blog

Real answers for Central Iowa homeowners. Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa, and this blog shares what those jobs teach: costs, permits, timelines, codes, and the mistakes worth avoiding. Every guide is written for Iowa conditions, from the 42 inch frost line to statewide radon levels.

1285+
Completed Projects
Since 2020
Serving Central Iowa
280+
Guides Written for Iowa Homes
Aug 27, 2026
Most Story City basement projects run $30,000 to $76,000. Cost by scope, Iowa egress requirements, and why radon testing comes before framing.
Aug 26, 2026
Most Clive decks run $10,000 to $38,000. Elevation and railing drive cost more than size, especially on greenbelt-adjacent lots.
Aug 25, 2026
Most Melbourne kitchen remodels run $24,000 to $72,000. Cost by tier, small-city permits, and what older homes hide behind the walls.
Aug 24, 2026
Most Ames kitchen remodels run $28,000 to $82,000. Cost by tier, the city’s unusual permit structure, and what older neighborhoods hide.
Aug 23, 2026
Home additions in State Center start at $300 per square foot. Cost by type, Iowa frost line requirements, and how small-city inspection works.
Aug 22, 2026
Whole home remodels in Ankeny run $85,000 to $300,000+. Cost by level, the city’s permit portal, and why doing it all at once costs
Aug 21, 2026
Most New Virginia basement projects run $29,000 to $74,000. Cost by scope, Iowa egress rules, and why septic sizing matters if you add a
Aug 20, 2026
Most Indianola decks run $8,000 to $32,000. Cost by material, Iowa frost line footing requirements, and the wood versus composite math.
Aug 19, 2026
Iowa adopted the 2024 IRC statewide in September 2025, but cities adopt their own editions on their own timelines. Here is how to find