---
title: "Nevada Iowa Construction & Remodeling | Busy Builders"
description: "Deck building in Nevada, Iowa done right. Busy Builders serves Story County with remodeling, additions, and custom home building."
url: "https://busybuildersiowa.com/nevada/"
---

# Nevada, Iowa

## Construction & Remodeling

Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Nevada, Iowa.

[Plan Your Nevada Project](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/)

1285+

Completed Projects​

## Nevada, Iowa General Contractor

### About Us

Established in 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa. We bring decades of combined trade experience to projects in Nevada and throughout Story County. As Iowa-registered contractors, we understand local building codes, permit processes, and the specific characteristics of county seat communities. From bathroom updates to custom home builds, we deliver quality work with transparent communication.

### Our Mission

Provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. We provide detailed written estimates, explain permit requirements upfront, and maintain clear communication throughout your project.

### Our Vision

To serve all of Central Iowa with dedicated construction services, building lasting relationships through quality workmanship and integrity.

[Request your free quote](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/)

## Building in Nevada and Story County

Nevada is the [Story County](https://busybuildersiowa.com/story-county-iowa/) seat with about 6,925 residents, sitting on US Highway 30 east of Ames, about 4 miles east of I-35. City permits go through Nevada city hall at 515-382-5466. Call before you set a start date.

Nevada gets overlooked because Ames is next door, but it is a genuinely different market. Lots are larger, the housing is older on average. Buyers here are frequently people who wanted Story County schools and space without an Ames price. That mix pushes our work toward additions and whole-house updates rather than the rental-conversion pressure you see closer to campus.

County-seat towns also carry a courthouse-square housing belt, and Nevada’s is no exception. Those homes hide the usual pre-1970s issues: cast iron waste, galvanized supply, and panels that need attention before a kitchen opens up.

Footings go at least 42 inches down to sit under Iowa’s frost line.

We build across Story County. Homeowners in [Ames](https://busybuildersiowa.com/ames/), [Maxwell](https://busybuildersiowa.com/maxwell/), [Marshalltown](https://busybuildersiowa.com/marshalltown/), and [Colfax](https://busybuildersiowa.com/colfax/) call us for the same work.

Planning a Nevada project? Call: 844-435-9800 for a written estimate.

*Permit rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the City of Nevada before you commit to a budget or a timeline.*

## What each project costs and requires in Nevada

Nevada has been the Story County seat since state commissioners chose it in 1853, and about 6,974 people live here now. Some 71.9 percent of homes are owner-occupied. Permits run through City Hall on Cloudpermit, and fees are set by the square foot. Each card gives a starting price where we publish one, the city’s rules, and one detail found only in Nevada.

### Home Building in Nevada

New homes start at about $150 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. In Nevada, the fee appendix sizes the house permit by area: a $75 base and $0.25 for each square foot. Expect a plan review charge equal to half the permit, paid up front. A new house also owes $200 to tie into city water and another $200 for sewer. Nevada’s code takes on the state building code as its own instead of naming an edition. The last step is an occupancy certificate signed by the building official. Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa.

[Home Building in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/locations/home-building-nevada-ia/)

### Home Remodeling in Nevada

Nevada asks for a building permit when a remodel alters the general structure of the house. Cosmetic work that leaves the structure alone needs none. A residential remodel permit runs $75 plus $0.25 per square foot, and plan review adds half that amount. Replacing galvanized pipe or a water heater needs a plumbing permit, even when nothing else changes. The city’s Building and Zoning Official, on staff since April 2026, reviews and inspects the work. Small projects get fit into our schedule quickly, and one customer noted the crew cleaned up before leaving.

[Home Remodeling in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-remodeling/)

### Kitchen Remodeling in Nevada

Kitchen remodels start at about $250 per square foot, and a full job runs about 6 to 12 weeks from approval to final punch. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Nevada lists kitchen remodels among the jobs that need a plumbing permit, at $35 plus $2 per fixture unit. New circuits bring an electrical permit at $35 plus $2 per circuit. A new sink or faucet on its own needs no permit. When we open kitchen walls, we often find mold behind the sink from a faucet that leaked slowly for years.

[Kitchen Remodeling in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/kitchen-remodeling/)

### Bathroom Remodeling in Nevada

We have quoted light hall bath facelifts at about $3,000 to $5,000 and big primary baths up to about $60,000. Most full bathrooms that keep fixtures in place land near $15,000 to $20,000. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Nevada names bathroom remodels and added bathrooms on its plumbing permit list. Licensed subcontractors we coordinate handle that work. A faucet swap alone needs no permit, and neither does a light fixture replaced in place. Two full bathroom remodels we finished in 2026 were reviewed by their owners, and one came from a repeat customer.

[Bathroom Remodeling in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/bathroom-remodeling/)

### Basement Finishing in Nevada

We price basements after a walkthrough, since ceiling height, moisture, egress and room count set the cost. Nevada’s planning FAQ says any room used for sleeping needs an egress window with at least 5.7 square feet of clear area. The city lists a maximum sill height of 42 inches. Smoke detectors go on the ceiling near bedrooms and the basement stairs, wired to the house panel. City code bars sump pump water from the sanitary sewer. After cost, the basement question homeowners search most is how to pay for the finish.

[Basement Finishing in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing/)

### Basement Remodeling in Nevada

Remodeling a finished basement in Nevada starts with a look behind the old walls, so we put the price in writing after that visit. Moisture, wiring and how much finish must come out drive it. Nevada wants a building permit when the structure changes. Adding a bathroom takes a plumbing permit, and any new circuit takes an electrical one. Swapping outlets or light fixtures in place needs nothing. Turning a family room into a bedroom brings in the city’s egress rule. It calls for 5.7 square feet of clear area and a sill no higher than 42 inches. That is stricter than the 44 inches in the model code.

Check where your sump pump drains before we start. Section 103.15 of the city code makes it unlawful to send sump water into the sanitary sewer. Inspections run first come, first served, with 24 hours notice. Once walls open in older Central Iowa basements, we most often find mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and unsafe wiring. Some customers come to us after a bad experience with another contractor, and they say so in their reviews.

[Basement Remodeling in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-remodeling/)

### Deck Building in Nevada

Deck prices depend on size, height, stairs and decking material, so we quote each one in writing. A deck permit in Nevada is a flat $50 under the city’s fee appendix. If you replace less than 60 percent of an existing deck, the city says no building permit is needed. Any deck more than 30 inches above the adjacent ground needs a railing. Inspections, done by city staff, must be requested 24 hours ahead. Our finished decks include composite builds with black metal railings and fresh pressure-treated wood decks.

[Deck Building in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/deck-building/)

### Home Additions in Nevada

Additions start at about $300 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Nevada charges an addition the same residential rate as a new house: $75 plus $0.25 per square foot, with plan review at half that fee. An R-1 lot must hold at least 10,000 square feet, and the footprint of all buildings is capped at 35 percent of it. In R-2 that cap rises to 45 percent. Residential buildings top out at 38 feet.

The zoning table sets yard setbacks by district, and we check yours at City Hall before design starts. A zoning map dated June 2026 shows each lot’s district. Under state law SF 592, an accessory dwelling unit can reach 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger. Cities also cannot require the owner to live on site. A finished two-story addition we built has an upper deck and exterior finishes matched to the original house. We also build storm shelters, safe rooms and attached garages as part of an addition when asked.

[Home Additions in Nevada](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-additions/)

## Our Building Partners.

- Achievement

## Your Project, Our Passion.

Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa.

1285+

Completed Projects​

90+

Crew and Trade Partners​

2020

Serving Central Iowa Since​

## Quality Construction at the Right Price.

### Additions

Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.

Starting From

$

300

Per sqft.

Features

- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU

[Plan Your Home Addition](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-additions/)

### Kitchen Remodeling

Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.

Starting From

$

250

Per sqft.

Features

- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Backsplash
- Islands
- Lights

[Plan Your Kitchen Remodel](https://busybuildersiowa.com/kitchen-remodeling/)

### Home Building

Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.

Starting From

$

150

per sqft.

Features

- Custom Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build

[Plan Your New Home](https://busybuildersiowa.com/locations/home-building-nevada-ia/)

- Frequently Asked Questions

## FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Nevada, IA

How do building permits work in Nevada?

The City of Nevada Planning & Zoning Department handles permits at City Hall, 1209 6th Street, Nevada, IA 50201.

Contact (515) 382-5466 for information.

Nevada uses Cloudpermit for online permit processing at [us.cloudpermit.com.](https://us.cloudpermit.com.)

Permits are required for structural alterations, additions, electrical work, and plumbing.

Inspections require a 24-hour advance notice and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

We coordinate all permits and inspections for our clients.

What building codes does Nevada follow?

Nevada’s city code adopts the Iowa State Building Code by reference rather than naming an edition.

Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work follow the state codes: the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, the 2023 National Electrical Code and the 2024 International Mechanical Code. Footings go at least 42 inches deep.

The Planning & Zoning Department reviews plans, issues permits, and coordinates inspections to ensure compliance.

Which school district serves Nevada?

Nevada Community School District serves the city, operating three schools: an elementary school, a middle school, and Nevada High School (home of the Cubs).

The district serves approximately 1,570 students, with about 20% of students identifying as minorities.

The district was formed in 1958 through the consolidation with Shipley.

The schools are entirely within Story County, serving Nevada and the surrounding rural area.

What's the housing market like in Nevada?

Nevada has approximately 6,925 residents with steady, modest growth (4% since 2000).

The median home value is approximately $200,000, with median household income around $75,000 and average household income over $108,000.

As a county seat with diverse employment close to Ames, the city offers stable housing values.

About 70% of homes are owner-occupied.

How far is Nevada from Des Moines?

Nevada is approximately 35 miles north of Des Moines (about 40 minutes) and just 4 miles east of I-35 on Highway 30.

Ames is approximately 8 miles west.

The city’s location offers easy access to both Story County’s university community and the Des Moines metro.

Busy Builders serves Nevada from our West Des Moines base.

What makes Nevada unique for homeowners?

Nevada is the county seat of Story County, named after Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story.

The city became a designated Main Street Iowa community in 2019, reflecting a commitment to downtown revitalization and historic preservation.

First settled in 1853, Nevada’s name is pronounced nuh-VAY-duh (different from the state).

The Story County Courthouse and downtown square anchor the community’s historic character while new development continues on the city’s edges.

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- Our Articles

## Home Building & Remodeling Blogs for Nevada, IA

[Read our blog](https://busybuildersiowa.com/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.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/remodeling-an-already-finished-basement/)[Oct 9, 2026By Blake Daniels ### ADU vs Basement Suite for Aging Parents in West Des Moines Read More An ADU or a basement suite for a parent moving in? Iowa SF 592, costs, appraisal treatment and step-free access compared for West Des Moines.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/adu-vs-basement-suite-aging-parents-west-des-moines/)[Oct 7, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Building on a Rural Lot in Dallas or Madison County: Septic, Well and County Permits Read More County permits instead of city, a septic system and a well instead of utilities. What a rural lot in Dallas or Madison County really costs to build on.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/building-on-a-rural-lot-dallas-madison-county/)

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