Basement Remodeling
West Des Moines, IA
Redoing a finished basement in West Des Moines falls under the same permit line as a remodel. Start without a permit and the city adds an investigation fee equal to the permit fee. This page covers what the city requires when you rework a basement, and what a remodel tends to uncover.
- West Des Moines at a glance
West Des Moines through the years
West Des Moines began as Valley Junction, a railroad hub of about 500 people, incorporated in 1893. It took its current name in 1938 and counted 68,723 residents in 2020.
About 500
Residents at 1893 incorporation
1938
Renamed West Des Moines
68,723
Residents in the 2020 Census
$309,000
Median owner-occupied home value
Equal fee added
Charge for work without permit
$59.50
Remodel fee under $10,000
44 inches
Highest egress sill allowed
Sub permits
Plumbing, electrical, mechanical filed separately
- Permits and rules
Remodeling a finished basement in West Des Moines
Reworking a finished basement in West Des Moines needs a permit when it changes rooms, walls or systems, filed online with separate trade permits. The city’s fee sheet treats remodels and basement finishes in existing homes the same way. Here is what changes when a basement already has finishes.
Remodel or repair
The city lists remodels and basement finishes together as permit projects, and its fee sheet prices them on one line for existing homes. Below $10,000 the fee is a flat $59.50. If you are unsure whether a repair crosses into a remodel, the Building Division answers at bi@wdm.iowa.gov or 515-222-3630.
Adding a bedroom
Turning a family room or office into a bedroom adds a sleeping room, which needs an egress window. In Iowa that means 5.7 square feet of net clear opening, at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high. The sill sits at or below 44 inches. West Des Moines permits egress windows as their own project, so a new opening is reviewed on its own.
What old walls hide
When we open older Central Iowa basements, we most often find mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and old or unsafe wiring. Those finds change the plan, which is why our written estimate follows a look at the space. Wiring fixes go through a licensed electrician on a sub-contractor permit.
Fixing another contractor's work
Some customers come to us after a bad experience with another contractor. We have redone basements with concrete spilled into the sump pit and finished walls that collapsed because they were never fastened. Fixes like these start with a fresh written plan and permit, then demolition.
Unpermitted basements
West Des Moines charges an investigation fee for work done without a permit. It equals the regular permit fee and is added on top, so the owner pays that amount twice. If you bought a home with a finished basement and no permit on file, ask the city before remodeling over it.
Trades and inspections
Plumbing, mechanical and electrical changes need separate sub-contractor permits through the City Access Portal. Licensed subcontractors do that work on our jobs. The Building Division handles inspections, which you can request at 515-222-3630 or in the portal as a permit contact.
- Our process
How Busy Builders builds your West Des Moines basement remodel
A remodel starts with a walkthrough and a written scope, then the remodel permit through the City Access Portal. Demolition follows approval. Moisture or wiring problems found behind old finishes get a written change order before work continues. New bedrooms get an egress window permitted on its own, and licensed trades file their sub-contractor permits.
Basement remodels are a core service for us, inside more than 100 projects a year. A repeat customer had us build a deck, then came back for the basement. Busy Builders holds Iowa contractor registration C140184.
- Written scope and permit before demolition
- Egress window permitted for new bedrooms
- Licensed trades on sub-contractor permits
Scope, permit, then rebuild
- Achievement
Trusted Basement Remodeling Contractors in West Des Moines
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa. We serve homeowners in West Des Moines and the surrounding suburbs. Every project starts with a written plan and ends with a walkthrough that confirms every detail is right.
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Basement Remodeling in West Des Moines
What does a basement remodel cost in West Des Moines?
It depends on what we find once old finishes come off, plus the rooms, bathroom and egress you want. We give a written estimate after we look. The city’s fee is a flat $59.50 for remodel work under $10,000; at $10,000 or more it is based on valuation.
Do I need a permit to remodel a finished basement in West Des Moines?
Yes, when the work changes rooms, walls or systems. The city lists remodels and basement finishes among residential permit projects. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work need separate sub-contractor permits, all filed through the City Access Portal.
What if my West Des Moines basement was finished without a permit?
The city charges an investigation fee for work done without a permit, equal to the permit fee and added to it. Talk to the Building Division at 515-222-3630 before remodeling over unpermitted work. It can tell you what it needs to see.
Can I add a bedroom in my finished basement in West Des Moines?
Yes, with an egress window. Iowa’s standard is 5.7 square feet of net clear opening, at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high. The sill can sit no higher than 44 inches. The city lists the egress window as its own permit project. We plan the window location before any new framing goes up.
Is radon a concern in West Des Moines basements?
The city publishes no radon rule, but radon is a statewide issue. Iowa HHS reports that about 5 in 7 Iowa homes test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Radon is very common on our Des Moines area basement jobs. When a test calls for mitigation, we treat it as part of the work.
Where do I file basement remodel plans in West Des Moines?
In the City Access Portal, under Additions and Remodels. The city requires electronic submission, and paper is accepted only with prior approval. The portal also handles fees, review status and inspection requests. Questions about a specific plan go to bi@wdm.iowa.gov.
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