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
Jul 20, 2026

Hiring a general contractor is the single biggest decision in most home projects, yet many homeowners are not sure what a GC actually does

Jul 17, 2026

A general contractor turns a project you can describe into a building you can live in. In Iowa, the role carries legal duties, registration

Jul 17, 2026

The expensive basement mistakes happen in the steps people skip on the way to picking flooring. This guide covers the errors we see most

Jul 17, 2026

Most finished basements in the Des Moines metro take 6 to 10 weeks of construction, plus 2 to 4 weeks of design and permitting

Jul 17, 2026

Finishing a basement yourself can save real money, and it can also cost you more than hiring it out on day one. This guide

Jul 17, 2026

Finishing a basement changes how air moves through your whole house. Iowa basements deal with radon, humidity, and tight winter construction that traps stale

Jul 17, 2026

Planning a kitchen remodel in one of Des Moines‘ fast-growing suburbs? Costs in Ankeny and Waukee land close to the metro average, but each

Jul 16, 2026

Financing a home you are building works nothing like getting a mortgage on a house that already exists. A construction loan releases money in

Jul 15, 2026

Finishing a basement is one of the best ways to add living space without changing your home’s footprint. It is also one of the