Our Process
- Home Addition Builder
Why We Put the Process in Writing
Busy Builders was started by people with decades in the trades who were tired of how the industry treats homeowners. Vague quotes, change orders that appear after demo, and crews that go quiet for a week. The fix is not complicated. It is a written scope, honest pricing, and telling you bad news early instead of late.
Every service follows the same spine. See it applied on home additions, basement finishing, or kitchen remodeling, and see the work itself on our work.
About Us
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ construction and remodeling projects across Central Iowa. 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, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Johnston, and Grimes call first when the house isn’t big enough anymore.
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Get From Us
A Written Scope, Not a Napkin Number
You get the work spelled out in writing before anything starts, so there is no argument later about what was included.
Honest Pricing Up Front
We publish starting rates and we tell you when your budget does not match your wish list. Early, not after demo.
Permits Handled For You
We prepare drawings, submit the application, and manage inspections through your city building department.
Weekly Updates, Every Week
You hear from us on a schedule, including the weeks when the news is a delay. Silence is how trust dies.
Licensed Trades on Trade Work
Electrical, plumbing, and heating are done by licensed Iowa professionals, scheduled and managed by us.
Written Workmanship Warranty
Written warranty on workmanship (details provided in your contract).
- Home Additions Step By Step
The Six Steps of Every Project
FIRST CONVERSATION
We start on the phone or in your kitchen, not with a proposal. What do you want to change, what is driving it, and what is the budget you are actually comfortable with. If what you want and what you can spend do not line up, you hear that in the first conversation instead of the fifth.
- Free consultation, no obligation
- Budget reality check up front
- Straight answer on feasibility
SITE WALK & ASSESSMENT
We walk the space and look at what is behind the walls, under the floor, and outside at grade. Structure, plumbing routes, electrical capacity, and drainage. This is where the real cost drivers surface, and finding them now is cheaper than finding them after demo.
- Structure and systems evaluated
- Cost drivers identified early
- Photos and notes shared with you
DESIGN & WRITTEN SCOPE
You get drawings and a written scope that spells out what is included, what is not, and what the allowances are. This document is what protects both of us. When something changes later, we point at the scope instead of arguing about memory.
- Drawings you approve
- Line by line written scope
- Allowances stated in writing
PERMITS & SCHEDULING
We prepare the permit application and submit it through your city building department, then build the schedule around the review timeline. You get a start date you can plan around, not a vague someday.
- Permit prepared and submitted
- Inspections scheduled and managed
- Real start date, not an estimate
CONSTRUCTION & WEEKLY UPDATES
Our crews build it, licensed trade professionals handle electrical, plumbing, and heating, and you get an update every week. Job sites get cleaned daily and access paths get protected. If something goes sideways, you hear it from us the same week.
- Daily cleanup, protected access
- Licensed trades on trade work
- Weekly updates including bad news
WALKTHROUGH & WARRANTY
We walk every room and every surface with you, list anything that needs correcting, and finish it. Written warranty on workmanship (details provided in your contract). Then we are still reachable at the same number.
- Full walkthrough together
- Punch list completed, not deferred
- Written workmanship warranty
Permits, Registration, and Who Does the Trade Work
Disclaimer: This page describes our general process and is not project-specific advice. Cost figures are planning estimates that vary by scope, materials, site conditions, and current pricing. Permit requirements vary by city and jurisdiction; verify current requirements with your local building authority. Warranty coverage is defined in your written contract. No specific outcomes are guaranteed. Consult a registered contractor for guidance specific to your project.
What Pricing Looks Like Before You Commit
| 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 |
| 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.
Ready to Start?
- Achievement
How Busy Builders Runs a Project
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Working With Us
What does the first meeting cost?
Nothing. The consultation and the written estimate are free, and neither commits you to anything. We would rather spend an hour telling you a project is not worth it than take a job that disappoints you.
How do you handle change orders?
In writing, before the work happens. If you change your mind or we find something behind a wall, we price it, you approve it, and it gets documented. Nothing gets added to your invoice that you have not signed off on.
Who actually does the work?
Our own crews do framing, carpentry, tile, drywall, and finish work. Electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling are handled by separately licensed Iowa trade professionals we schedule and manage. You still have one point of contact.
Is Busy Builders licensed or registered?
Registered. Iowa does not license general contractors; it requires registration with DIAL for contractors earning $2,000 or more per year. Our Iowa contractor registration is #C140184. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs do hold separate state licenses.
How often will I hear from you during the build?
Weekly at minimum, and immediately if something changes the schedule or the budget. The most common complaint homeowners have about contractors is silence, so we treat communication as part of the job rather than a courtesy.
What if something is wrong at the walkthrough?
We list it and we fix it. The walkthrough exists to catch things, so finding items is normal and expected. Written warranty on workmanship follows, with details in your contract.
