--- title: "Frequently Asked Questions | Busy Builders Central Iowa" description: "Answers on cost, timelines, permits, Iowa contractor registration, service area, and how Busy Builders runs a project in Central Iowa." url: "https://busybuildersiowa.com/faq/" --- # Frequently Asked Questions Straight answers about cost, timelines, permits, and how construction actually works in Central Iowa. If your question is not here, call us and ask. [Get Your Free Estimate](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/) - Home Addition Builder ## Start With the Question You Actually Have Most homeowners calling us for the first time want to know three things: what it costs, how long it takes, and whether they can trust the person on the phone. The answers below cover all three without the hedging. Service specific costs and timelines live on each page. See [all services](https://busybuildersiowa.com/our-services/), how we run a job on [our process](https://busybuildersiowa.com/our-process/), or real projects on [our work](https://busybuildersiowa.com/our-work/). ### About Us Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ construction and remodeling projects across [Central Iowa](https://busybuildersiowa.com/service-area/). We build home additions for families who need more space and want it done right the first time. Every addition we build is designed to match the existing home’s structure, style, and systems so it feels like it was always there. ### Our Mission Honest pricing, a clear written plan, and no surprise charges on every home addition project we take on. We tell you what the project actually requires before a single permit is filed, and we do not upsell scope the addition doesn’t need. ### Our Vision We want to be the registered general contractor that homeowners in [Des Moines](https://busybuildersiowa.com/des-moines/), [West Des Moines](https://busybuildersiowa.com/west-des-moines/), [Ankeny](https://busybuildersiowa.com/ankeny/), [Waukee](https://busybuildersiowa.com/waukee/), [Johnston](https://busybuildersiowa.com/johnston/), and [Grimes](https://busybuildersiowa.com/grimes/) call first when the house isn’t big enough anymore. [Learn More About Us](https://busybuildersiowa.com/about-us/) - Frequently Asked Questions ## Quick Answers ### What does it cost? Every service page publishes real ranges. Additions from $300 per square foot, kitchens from $250, basements $25 to $75, decks $15 to $80. ### How long does it take? Decks 1 to 3 weeks. Bathrooms 3 to 8 weeks. Basements 6 to 12 weeks. Additions 10 to 24 weeks depending on scope. ### Do I need a permit? Almost always, and we handle it. Structural work, plumbing moves, and new circuits all require permits in every Central Iowa city. ### Are you licensed? Iowa registers general contractors rather than licensing them. Our registration is #C140184. Trade work uses separately licensed professionals. ### Where do you work? The Des Moines metro plus Boone, Dallas, Story, Warren, Marshall, and Guthrie counties, roughly 50 miles out from Des Moines. ### Is the estimate free? Yes. Consultation and written estimate cost nothing and commit you to nothing. - Home Additions Step By Step ## The Questions We Get Most Step #1 ### HOW MUCH WILL MY PROJECT COST? It depends on scope, and anyone who quotes you a number over the phone without seeing your house is guessing. What we can do is publish real starting rates so you can sanity check your budget: additions from $300 per square foot, kitchens from $250, home building from $150, basements $25 to $75, decks $15 to $80 depending on material. Then we walk your site and put a written number in your hands. - Published rates you can check - Written estimate after a site walk - 10 to 15 percent contingency recommended Step #2 ### HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? Decks run 1 to 3 weeks. Bathrooms run 3 to 8 weeks, with full custom tile at the long end. Basements run 6 to 12 weeks including design and permitting. Additions run 10 to 24 weeks depending on whether we are bumping out a wall or building a second story. Permit review and material lead times both move these numbers, and we tell you which one is holding things up. - Service specific ranges, not averages - Permit timeline included in the estimate - Weekly updates on schedule changes Step #3 ### DO I NEED A PERMIT, AND WHO PULLS IT? If you are changing structure, moving plumbing, or adding circuits, yes. We prepare the drawings, submit the application to your city building department, and manage inspections. Requirements differ city to city across the metro, which is exactly why homeowners should not be navigating it alone. - We prepare and submit the application - We schedule and meet inspections - City specific requirements handled [Get Your Free Estimate](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/) Step #4 ### ARE YOU LICENSED OR REGISTERED? Registered, and the distinction matters in Iowa. The state does not license general contractors. It requires registration with DIAL for anyone earning $2,000 or more per year in construction. Our Iowa contractor registration is #C140184. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians do hold separate state licenses, and we use licensed professionals for that work. - Iowa registration #C140184 - Registered, not licensed, is correct in Iowa - Licensed trades on trade work Step #5 ### WHAT AREA DO YOU SERVE? The Des Moines metro is our core: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, Grimes, Altoona, and Norwalk. We also work out into Boone, Dallas, Story, Warren, Marshall, and Guthrie counties, roughly a 50 mile radius from Des Moines. - Full metro coverage - Six surrounding counties - About 50 miles from Des Moines [Get Your Free Estimate](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/) Step #6 ### WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROJECT IS DONE? We walk every room with you and build a punch list, then complete it rather than deferring it. Written warranty on workmanship follows, with details in your contract. After that you still have the same phone number and the same people, which is the part that matters when something needs a look in year two. - Full walkthrough and punch list - Written workmanship warranty - Same number, same people, after handoff ## Permits, Registration, and Iowa Code Iowa requires contractors earning $2,000 or more per year to register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. General contractors are registered, not licensed, and our registration is #C140184. Electricians, plumbers, and heating and cooling technicians hold separate state licenses. Permits are issued by your city, and requirements differ between Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and every other metro city. Iowa specifics that come up constantly: the frost line sits at 42 inches, basement bedrooms need egress windows with 5.7 square feet of net clear opening, habitable rooms need a 7 foot ceiling, and as many as 5 in 7 Iowa homes test above the EPA radon action level. Verify any registration through [Iowa DIAL](https://dial.iowa.gov/). *Disclaimer: This page is for general information and is not project-specific advice. Cost figures are planning estimates that vary by scope, materials, site conditions, and current pricing. Permit and code requirements vary by city and jurisdiction; verify current requirements with your local building authority before starting any project. Structural changes require evaluation by a qualified professional. Radon levels vary by home; test before and after any basement project. No specific outcomes are guaranteed. Consult a registered contractor for guidance specific to your project.* ## Published Starting Rates We publish starting rates so you can sanity check a budget before calling anyone. Every project gets a written estimate, because a square foot rate cannot see your site. Service Published starting rate Home building From $150 per square foot Home additions From $300 per square foot Kitchen remodeling From $250 per square foot Bathroom remodeling $8,000 to $60,000 or more by scope Basement finishing $25 to $75 per square foot Deck building $15 to $80 or more per square foot by material Contingency we recommend 10 to 15 percent of budget Based on our published Central Iowa pricing. Your written estimate sets the final numbers. ### Still Have a Question? Ask us directly. The first conversation is free and commits you to nothing, and we would rather talk you out of a bad project than take it. Call: 844-435-9800. Or use the form above to request your free estimate. - Achievement ## Answers From a Registered Iowa Contractor Since 2020, Central Iowa homeowners have trusted Busy Builders with 1,285+ completed projects. We are a registered Iowa contractor, registration #C140184, serving Des Moines, West Des Moines, and the metro around them. 1285+ Completed Projects​ 90+ Skilled Workers​ 99% Satisfaction Rate​ - Frequently Asked Questions ## More Questions About Working With Us Can I live in the house during construction? Usually yes. Most families stay put and we contain dust, protect flooring on the path in and out, and clean daily. Kitchen and only bathroom projects are the exceptions worth planning around, and we talk through that during design. Do you offer free estimates? Yes. The consultation and the written estimate are both free and neither commits you to anything. We will also tell you when a project is not worth doing, which costs us the job and saves you money. How do you handle unexpected problems behind walls? We tell you the same day we find it, price the fix in writing, and get your approval before proceeding. Old Iowa homes hide old leaks and questionable wiring, so this happens. Surprises are normal, hidden surprises are not. Do you work with my insurance or a designer? We can. If you are working with an architect or designer, we build to their drawings. For insurance related work, we will document conditions thoroughly, but we are contractors rather than adjusters and we do not advise on claims. What is your warranty? Written warranty on workmanship, with the details set out in your contract. Manufacturer warranties on products like decking or windows are set by the manufacturer, and you should verify current coverage directly with them before purchasing. How do I get started? Call 844-435-9800 or use the form on this page. We will ask a few questions, set a time to walk the site, and go from there. No pressure and no obligation at any point before you sign a scope. - Home Addition Blogs ## Guides for Central Iowa Homeowners [Learn More About Home Additions](https://busybuildersiowa.com/category/home-additions-blogs/) [Aug 25, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Kitchen Remodel Cost in Melbourne, Iowa: 2026 Guide Read More Most Melbourne kitchen remodels run $24,000 to $72,000. Cost by tier, small-city permits, and what older homes hide behind the walls.Most Melbourne kitchen remodels run $24,000 to $72,000. Cost by tier, small-city permits, and what older homes hide behind the walls.Most Melbourne kitchen remodels run $24,000 to $72,000. Cost by tier, small-city permits, and what older homes hide behind the walls.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/kitchen-remodel-cost-melbourne-iowa-2026/)[Aug 24, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Kitchen Remodel Cost in Ames: 2026 Pricing Guide Read More Most Ames kitchen remodels run $28,000 to $82,000. Cost by tier, the city's unusual permit structure, and what older neighborhoods hide.Most Ames kitchen remodels run $28,000 to $82,000. Cost by tier, the city's unusual permit structure, and what older neighborhoods hide.Most Ames kitchen remodels run $28,000 to $82,000. Cost by tier, the city's unusual permit structure, and what older neighborhoods hide.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/kitchen-remodel-cost-ames-2026/)[Aug 22, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Whole Home Remodel Cost in Ankeny: 2026 Planning Guide Read More 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 less per room.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 less per room.Whole home remodels in Ankeny run $85,000 to $300,000+. 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