---
title: "Basement Remodeling In West Des Moines, IA | Busy Builders"
description: "Basement remodeling in West Des Moines, IA. Mid-range remodels $45K to $70K. Moisture-first process, permits handled, 1,285+ projects completed."
url: "https://busybuildersiowa.com/locations/basement-remodeling-west-des-moines-ia/"
---

# 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.

2020

Serving Central Iowa Since​

[Get Your Free Estimate](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/)

1285+

Completed Projects​

- 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

Sources: [History of West Des Moines](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/discover-wdm/about-west-des-moines/history-of-wdm); [U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/westdesmoinescityiowa); [Fee Estimator II](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20813/639184641621200000).

- 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.

Sources: [West Des Moines single family residential permits](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/development-services/building-inspection/permit-applications/single-family-residential); [Fee Estimator II](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20813/639184641621200000); [West Des Moines sub-contractor permits](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/development-services/building-inspection/permit-applications/sub-contractor-permits); [West Des Moines Building Inspection](https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/development-services/building-inspection).

- 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

[See Our Full Basement Remodeling Process](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-remodeling/)

How we rework it

### 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](https://busybuildersiowa.com/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.

1285+

Completed Projects​

90+

Crew and Trade Partners​

2020

Serving Central Iowa Since​

- 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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- Newest Blogs

## Basement Remodeling Resources for West Des Moines

[Explore Basement Remodeling Resources](https://busybuildersiowa.com/category/basement-remodeling-blog/)

[Oct 12, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Remodeling an Already-Finished Basement: What Is Worth Redoing Read More A badly finished basement is a different project from a bare one. What is behind the walls, what to keep, and when to strip it to the studs.A badly finished basement is a different project from a bare one. What is behind the walls, what to keep, and when to strip it to the studs.A badly finished basement is a different project from a bare one. What is behind the walls, what to keep, and when to strip it to the studs.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/remodeling-an-already-finished-basement/)[Sep 30, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Can You Finish a Basement in an Iowa Winter? What Actually Changes Read More Winter is one of the best times to finish a basement in Central Iowa. What changes: the egress window, deliveries, moisture, radon and the schedule.Winter is one of the best times to finish a basement in Central Iowa. What changes: the egress window, deliveries, moisture, radon and the schedule.Winter is one of the best times to finish a basement in Central Iowa. What changes: the egress window, deliveries, moisture, radon and the schedule.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/finish-a-basement-in-an-iowa-winter/)[Sep 22, 2026By Blake Daniels ### How to Finance a Finished Basement in Central Iowa Read More The five ways Central Iowa homeowners pay for a basement finish, what lenders look at, and how to pick the one that fits your equity and timeline.The five ways Central Iowa homeowners pay for a basement finish, what lenders look at, and how to pick the one that fits your equity and timeline.The five ways Central Iowa homeowners pay for a basement finish, what lenders look at, and how to pick the one that fits your equity and timeline.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/how-to-finance-a-finished-basement-central-iowa/)

Tagged [West Des Moines](https://busybuildersiowa.com/tag/west-des-moines/)

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