Home Remodeling
Central Iowa
Your home should work as hard as your family does. If the kitchen is cramped, the bathrooms are outdated, the basement sits empty, or the layout just doesn’t fit how you live anymore, Busy Builders fixes it.
We handle full home remodeling projects across Central Iowa from a single room to every floor, with honest pricing, a clear written plan, and a registered general contractor on site from permit to final walkthrough.
- General Contractor
Full-Service Home Remodeling
About Us
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed over 1,000 construction and remodeling projects across Central Iowa.
We remodel homes for homeowners who have outgrown their layout, bought a house that needs updating, or simply want every room in the home to work the way it should.
Whether the project is a single bathroom or a whole-house overhaul, we treat every remodel like it belongs to us.
Our Mission
Honest pricing, a clear written plan, and no surprise charges on every home remodeling project in Central Iowa.
We tell you what the project actually requires before any work begins, and we do not upsell scope your home doesn’t need.
Our Vision
We want to be the registered general contractor that homeowners in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, and Grimes call first when it’s time to remodel, and that we recommend to every neighbor who asks.
- Home Remodeling Step By Step
How Do We Remodel Your Home?
ASSESSMENT & PLANNING
Every home remodeling project starts with a full walkthrough of the spaces being remodeled. We assess existing conditions, identify what is worth keeping and what needs to be replaced, and flag every plumbing, electrical, structural, and moisture issue before any work is scoped or priced.
Many older Central Iowa homes have outdated wiring, undersized electrical panels, corroded plumbing, and insulation that hasn’t performed correctly in years.
Catching these issues at the assessment stage keeps costs predictable and eliminates surprises mid-project.
You get a written scope of work, timeline, and fixed estimate before we touch anything. Read our guide on 10 signs it’s time to remodel your kitchen or bathroom if you’re still deciding where to start.
- Full condition assessment of all spaces being remodeled, including plumbing, electrical, and moisture
- Hidden damage, code violations, and system deficiencies identified before work is scoped
- Written scope of work, timeline, and fixed estimate confirmed before any work begins
PERMITS & APPROVALS
Any home remodeling project in Central Iowa that involves structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, or HVAC alterations requires a building permit.
Iowa Building Code is administered through DIAL under Iowa Administrative Code agency 481, and each city in the Des Moines metro has its own submission process and review timeline.
We file all required permits, submit drawings where required, and schedule all inspections as part of the project scope.
Unpermitted remodeling work creates serious problems at resale, with insurance carriers, and with mortgage lenders.
Review the Iowa DIAL permit submission process for your city’s specific requirements.
- Permit application filed for all structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scope items
- Drawings submitted where required by local building departments
- All inspections scheduled and coordinated, homeowner doesn't manage a thing
DEMO & HAZARD REMEDIATION
Demo reveals what is actually behind the walls, and in Central Iowa homes built before 2000 that often means water damage, mold, rotted framing, outdated wiring, and moisture problems that were covered up rather than fixed.
Any damage we find gets repaired before rebuilding begins. Radon testing is recommended at this stage for basement and main floor remodels because 71.6% of Iowa homes test above the EPA’s radon action level of 4 pCi/L. Selective or full demo is performed based on the project scope, and all debris is removed before new work begins.
We do not cover up problems we find during demo.
- Layout staked and footing locations confirmed before excavation
- Mold remediation, rotted framing replacement, and moisture repair where needed
- Radon testing recommended at this stage for all basement and lower-level scopes
STRUCTURAL WORK & FRAMING
Structural changes, wall removals, beam installations, and new partition walls all happen at this stage. Load-bearing walls are identified and properly supported before any removal begins.
Headers and beams are sized per Iowa building code for the spans and loads involved. Pressure-treated lumber is used wherever wood contacts concrete per Iowa and IRC code.
Structural inspections are scheduled and passed before mechanical work begins in jurisdictions that require them.
Getting the structural work right at this stage is what determines whether every finish that follows looks and performs the way it should for the next 20 years.
- Load-bearing wall identification and proper structural support before any removal
- Headers and beams sized per Iowa building code for all spans and loads
- Pressure-treated lumber at all concrete contact points per Iowa and IRC code
MECHANICAL ROUGH-IN: PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL & HVAC
Mechanical rough-in covers all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work done while walls are open.
This is the least expensive time to run new supply lines, drain lines, circuits, and ductwork because access is completely open. Iowa NEC 2023 with state amendments under Iowa Administrative Code 481-404 governs all electrical work, and all plumbing is inspected to Iowa code.
HVAC ductwork changes are assessed against the existing system’s capacity before any extensions are made.
All rough-in work is performed by licensed electricians and licensed plumbers, pulled with permits, and inspected before drywall closes the walls.
See the Iowa NEC 2023 electrical code for the full requirements.
- Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-in completed while walls are open
- Iowa NEC 2023 electrical compliance on all circuits, outlets, and panel work
- Licensed electricians and plumbers on all mechanical work, permitted and inspected
INSULATION & AIR SEALING
Insulation and air sealing upgrades during a remodel improve comfort, cut energy bills, and protect the finished work that follows.
Iowa’s temperature range from below 0°F in winter to above 90°F in summer demands proper R-values in walls, ceilings, and rim joists throughout the home.
Spray foam is used at rim joists and all penetrations where air sealing is the priority. Batt or blown-in insulation fills wall and ceiling cavities to current Iowa energy code requirements.
Sound insulation between floors and between rooms is also available and is most cost-effective to install at this stage before walls close.
- Spray foam air sealing at rim joists and all penetrations before cavity insulation
- Wall and ceiling insulation meeting Iowa energy code R-value requirements
- Sound insulation between floors and rooms installed while walls are open
DRYWALL & CEILINGS
Drywall goes up once all mechanical inspections are passed and insulation is complete.
We hang, tape, mud, and sand every surface to a smooth paint-ready finish. Moisture-resistant drywall is used in all bathrooms, kitchens, and wet areas.
Mold-resistant drywall is the right call for basement applications and anywhere Iowa’s humidity creates ongoing moisture pressure against the walls.
Ceiling options include smooth drywall, textured finishes, and coffered or tray ceiling details depending on the design direction.
Every surface is primed before paint so the finish coat applies evenly and lasts.
Read our guide on how to prepare your Iowa home for a remodel to understand what daily life looks like during the drywall phase.
- Moisture-resistant and mold-resistant drywall in all wet areas and basement applications
- Smooth finish on all surfaces, primed and ready for paint
- Ceiling options including smooth, textured, coffered, and tray details
FLOORING INSTALLATION
Flooring goes in after drywall is complete and painted so finished surfaces aren’t damaged by other trades.
Subfloor condition is assessed and repaired before any new flooring goes down. Iowa’s clay soil creates moisture pressure from below in basement and slab-on-grade applications, and a proper vapor barrier is installed under all below-grade flooring.
Hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, tile, and carpet are all available depending on the room, the budget, and the homeowner’s preferences. Transition strips between rooms and flooring types are installed cleanly so every connection looks intentional rather than patched together.
See our guide on flooring options for Iowa homes for a full material comparison.
- Subfloor assessment and repair before any new flooring installation
- Hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, tile, and carpet options for every room and budget
- Vapor barrier installation under all below-grade flooring in Iowa applications
CABINETS, COUNTERTOPS & FIXTURES
Cabinets and countertops go in after paint is complete in kitchens and bathrooms.
We install semi-custom and custom cabinetry, quartz and granite countertops, and tile backsplashes.
All plumbing fixtures are connected and tested after countertops are set. Light fixtures, outlets, switches, and hardware are installed and connected during this step across every room in the remodel scope.
Fixture selection is coordinated during the planning phase so lead times don’t stall the project mid-build. This is the step where the remodel starts looking like the finished product rather than a construction site.
See our kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling service pages for finish-level detail on cabinets and fixtures.
- Cabinet and countertop installation with plumbing connections tested before project close
- Light fixtures, outlets, switches, and hardware installed and connected throughout
- Fixture selection coordinated during planning phase to prevent lead time delays
PAINTING & INTERIOR FINISHES
Paint is applied after cabinets and tile so every wall edge is cut in cleanly against finished surfaces.
We use moisture-resistant paint in all bathrooms and kitchens, and standard interior paint in dry living areas.
Trim, baseboards, door casings, window trim, and stair components are installed after drywall and before paint so every edge is sharp and clean.
Hardware, towel bars, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, outlet covers, switch plates, and mirrors are all installed at this stage.
These finish details are what separate a remodel that looks done from one that looks intentional throughout.
- Moisture-resistant paint in bathrooms and kitchens, interior paint in all dry areas
- Trim, baseboard, door casing, and window trim installed before paint for clean edges
- Hardware, accessories, and finish details installed and verified before walkthrough
FINAL WALKTHROUGH & CLEAN UP
The final walkthrough is where we go through every room of the remodel together before calling the project complete.
Every plumbing fixture, electrical outlet, light switch, HVAC register, appliance, and GFCI circuit is tested before the walkthrough begins.
Every surface, connection, hardware piece, and finish detail is reviewed side by side with the homeowner.
If anything doesn’t meet the standard we set at the start of the project, we fix it before handoff. The crew removes all tools, materials, debris, and protective coverings so every remodeled room is clean and ready to use from day one.
We hand over all permit documentation and inspection records at project close to protect your investment at resale and with your insurance carrier.
- Full room-by-room inspection of every surface, connection, and finish detail with the homeowner
- Function test on all plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and GFCI circuits before handoff
- Complete clean up and delivery of all permit documentation and inspection records at project close
- Achievement
Trusted Home Remodeling Contractors in Central Iowa
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 Home Remodeling
Central Iowa
How much does a home remodel cost in Central Iowa?
Home remodeling costs in Central Iowa vary significantly based on scope, room type, and finish level.
A single bathroom refresh runs $8,000 to $30,000 depending on size and materials.
A kitchen remodel runs $25,000 to $100,000 or more depending on layout changes and finish quality.
A whole house remodel covering multiple rooms typically runs $75,000 to $250,000 depending on the size of the home and the depth of the scope.
The biggest cost variables are structural changes, plumbing and electrical updates, and whether hidden damage is found during demo.
Busy Builders provides a fixed written estimate before any work begins.
See our full breakdown of whole house remodeling costs in Des Moines for a complete picture.
Do I need a permit to remodel my home in Iowa?
Yes, for any work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC modifications.
Cosmetic updates like paint, hardware swaps, and fixture replacements that don’t touch the supply lines typically don’t require permits.
Iowa Building Code is administered through DIAL under Iowa Administrative Code agency 481, and each city in Central Iowa has its own submission process.
Unpermitted remodeling work creates serious problems at resale, with insurance carriers, and with mortgage lenders.
Busy Builders files all permits and schedules all inspections as part of every project scope.
Review the Iowa DIAL permit submission process for your city’s specific requirements.
How long does a home remodel take in Central Iowa?
Timeline depends entirely on scope. A single bathroom remodel typically runs 3 to 8 weeks.
A kitchen remodel runs 6 to 12 weeks.
A whole house remodel covering multiple rooms and systems runs 3 to 8 months, depending on size and complexity.
Permit processing time is the most variable factor at the start, and it differs significantly across Des Moines, Ankeny, and Waukee.
We build a realistic project schedule into the written estimate before work begins and update homeowners throughout.
See our detailed breakdown of the whole house remodeling timeline in Iowa for a phase-by-phase picture.
Should I do a whole house remodel or tackle one room at a time?
Both approaches work and the right choice depends on your budget, timeline, and how much disruption your household can handle at once.
A whole house remodel is more cost-efficient because trades can be coordinated across the entire project simultaneously.
A room-by-room approach spreads the cost over time and keeps the household functioning with less disruption during each phase.
The key is designing the phased approach with the whole house in mind from the start so each room connects seamlessly to the next when work continues.
See our full comparison of whole house remodel vs. room by room before making the decision.
How do I know if I need a gut remodel or just a cosmetic refresh?
A cosmetic refresh, new paint, hardware, fixtures, and flooring, is the right call when the bones of the space are solid and the systems are current.
A gut remodel is necessary when there is water damage behind the walls, outdated electrical or plumbing, structural issues, or a layout that fundamentally doesn’t work for the household.
The clearest signal that you need more than a cosmetic refresh is any evidence of moisture, mold, or systems that haven’t been updated since the 1980s or 1990s.
Read our guide on gut renovation vs. cosmetic refresh to understand which category your home falls into.
How do you keep my home livable during a remodel?
We seal off work areas with plastic barriers to contain dust and debris from the rest of the home.
Floors and hallways leading to the work area are protected throughout the project.
Crews clean up at the end of every workday.
For whole-house remodels, we phase the work to keep at least one bathroom and the kitchen functional at all times, wherever possible.
A remodel happens inside your home and we treat it that way from day one to final walkthrough.
Read our full guide on how to prepare your Iowa home for a remodel so you know exactly what to expect before work begins.
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