Our Services
In Central Iowa
Your home should work for the way you actually live, not the way it was built 20 or 40 years ago.
Whether you need a kitchen that fits your family, a finished basement with real livable space, a new deck, an addition, or a custom home from the ground up, Busy Builders handles the full project from start to finish.
We serve Central Iowa with honest pricing, a clear written plan, and a registered general contractor on site from permit to final walkthrough.
We are a registered and insured Iowa contractor; Iowa Contractor Registration #C140184.
Eight Services, One Team From Permit to Final Walkthrough
Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa since 2020. Every job gets the same three things: a written estimate before work starts, the permits the project needs, and a registered contractor on site. Pick a service below to see what it covers, what it typically costs, and the projects we build most.
Prices are typical starting points from our service pages. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity, and location within our service area.
Home Building
We build new homes across Central Iowa, from custom homes on your own lot to spec homes, tiny homes and multi-family buildings. One team runs the whole job: plans, permits, site work, foundation, framing, mechanicals and finishes. Iowa footings go at least 42 inches deep to stay below the frost line. Before we break ground, you get a detailed written estimate and a clear schedule.
- Custom homes, spec homes, tiny homes and multi-family
- Plans, permits and inspections handled by one team
- Detailed written estimate before any work begins
Popular projects
Home Remodeling
Some houses need more than one room fixed. We remodel whole homes and large parts of homes. That includes older houses with plaster walls, old wiring and layouts that no longer fit how you live. We can do the work all at once or in phases, so you can stay in the house and spread out the cost. Every job starts with a fixed written estimate, and we tell you what we find once the walls are open.
- Whole-house, phased and older-home remodels
- Permits and trade scheduling handled by one team
- Fixed written estimate before any work begins
Popular projects
Kitchen Remodeling
The kitchen is the room families use hardest, and the one where budgets slip most. On our jobs, the costs homeowners underestimate most are tile, countertops, added outlets and moving plumbing, so we price them up front. We handle cabinets, counters, islands, lighting, layout changes and wall removal. We also schedule the licensed electricians and plumbers the job needs.
- Islands, small kitchens and open-concept layouts
- About 6 to 12 weeks from approval to final punch list
- Licensed electricians and plumbers scheduled for you
Popular projects
Bathroom Remodeling
We remodel hall baths, primary suites and basement bathrooms across Central Iowa. We set the estimate up front and walk through wiring, lighting and plumbing before work starts. Those are the details that grow a bathroom job later when nobody talks about them early. We build walk-in showers, double vanities, tile floors and walls, and bathrooms made for aging in place.
- Walk-in showers, primary suites and aging-in-place baths
- Scope settled up front so the job does not grow later
- Licensed plumbers and electricians scheduled for you
Popular projects
Basement Finishing
A finished basement usually costs less per square foot than an addition, because the foundation and roof are already there. We start with water, not framing. Iowa clay holds water against foundation walls, so we fix drainage and moisture first. Radon is common in Des Moines area basements, and we treat mitigation as part of the finish. Bedrooms get egress windows with at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening.
- Moisture and drainage solved before framing
- Radon mitigation built into the plan
- Egress windows sized for Iowa code
Popular projects
Basement Remodeling
Basement remodeling updates a space that is already finished but no longer works. Older basements often hide mold, missing moisture barriers, weak insulation and unsafe wiring behind the walls. We have also rebuilt many basements other contractors got wrong, from concrete spilled into a sump pit to walls that were never fastened. We open it up, fix what is behind the drywall, and rebuild the layout for how you live now.
- Hidden moisture, mold and wiring fixed first
- New layouts for bars, bedrooms and family rooms
- Redo work on basements other contractors got wrong
Deck Building
Iowa summers are short, so a deck has to be worth using the day it is done. We build pressure-treated wood and composite decks, replace decks that are no longer safe, and add screened porches and covered decks. Every footing goes at least 42 inches deep, below the frost line. Composite costs more up front and needs less upkeep. Treated wood starts lower. We walk you through both.
- Composite, treated wood, porches and covered decks
- Footings at least 42 inches deep for Iowa frost
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Popular projects
Home Additions
When the house is too small but the neighborhood is right, an addition beats moving. We build bump-outs, sunrooms, garages, second stories, ADUs and in-law suites. We also build storm shelters and safe rooms into additions when you ask. An addition has to tie into your roof, foundation and mechanicals, so it looks and works like it was always there.
- Bump-outs, sunrooms, garages and second stories
- ADUs and in-law suites for family close by
- Exterior finishes matched to your house
Popular projects
- Achievement
Your Full-Service Construction and Remodeling Team in Central Iowa
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa.
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- Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Central Iowa Homeowners Ask About Most
What should I look for when hiring a construction or remodeling contractor in Central Iowa?
Start by confirming the contractor holds active registration with Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). Iowa requires contractor registration, not licensing, for general contractors earning $2,000 or more per year. You can verify any contractor’s status at dial.iowa.gov.
Beyond registration, ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
Request at least three references from projects similar to yours, and ask those homeowners specifically about communication, timeline accuracy, and how the contractor handled unexpected problems.
A trustworthy contractor will also pull all required permits on your behalf and schedule third-party inspections rather than asking you to handle that process.
In Central Iowa, third-party inspections are commonly handled through Veenstra & Kimm, now part of Kleinfelder, and most cities require separate permits for electrical, plumbing, and structural work.
Be cautious with any contractor who asks for more than 10 to 15 percent of the project cost upfront before materials are ordered.
How much does it cost to remodel or build a home in the Des Moines metro area?
Costs vary significantly based on project type, square footage, material selections, and site conditions. Custom home builds in Central Iowa typically start around $150 per square foot for a standard spec build and can reach $250 or more per square foot for fully custom designs with high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodels generally start at $250 per square foot, with most mid-range projects in the Des Moines metro falling between $25,000 and $65,000, depending on whether you’re moving plumbing or gas lines, replacing cabinetry, or updating countertops and fixtures.
Bathroom remodels range from $12,000 to $35,000, with plumbing relocations and tile work driving the biggest cost differences. Basement finishing runs $25 to $75 per square foot, and home additions start near $300 per square foot.
We recommend budgeting an extra 10 to 15 percent for unknowns behind walls, especially in homes built before 1990.
Central Iowa’s clay soil conditions can also affect foundation work and drainage, which occasionally adds cost that doesn’t show up in initial estimates.
We provide detailed, written estimates before any work begins so you see exactly where every dollar goes.
How long do remodeling and construction projects typically take in Iowa?
Timelines depend on project scope, permit approval speed, and Iowa’s seasonal conditions.
Bathroom remodels typically run 3 to 6 weeks. Kitchen remodels take 6 to 12 weeks, with the longer end applying to projects that involve structural changes, custom cabinetry, or permit-dependent work like moving gas lines.
Basement finishing takes 8 to 14 weeks depending on layout complexity and whether you’re adding a bathroom, which requires plumbing rough-in and separate inspections.
Custom home builds require 8 to 14 months from groundbreaking to move-in. Iowa weather plays a real role in scheduling. Concrete and foundation work slows or stops when ground temperatures drop below freezing, and Iowa’s frost line sits at least 42 inches deep, which means foundation footings require deeper excavation than many other states.
We plan around these seasonal realities and build buffer into every project schedule. Before starting, we create a detailed timeline with milestone dates and provide regular updates throughout the project so you always know where things stand.
Do I need permits for remodeling or construction in Central Iowa, and who handles them?
Yes, most remodeling and construction projects in Central Iowa require permits. Any work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or changes to your home’s footprint will need permits from your local city building department.
Even basement finishing projects typically require building, electrical, and plumbing permits, depending on the scope.
Permit requirements and fees vary by city. Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Waukee each have their own building departments with different fee structures and inspection timelines.
Smaller communities in our service area sometimes fall under county jurisdiction for zoning review.
We handle the full permit process on every project, from application through final inspection, so you don’t have to navigate multiple city departments on your own. Skipping permits creates serious problems down the road. Unpermitted work can surface during a home sale, void your homeowner’s insurance coverage, and result in fines or required teardowns.
A registered contractor should always pull permits as part of the project, and you should be cautious of any contractor who suggests otherwise.
We are a registered and insured Iowa contractor; Iowa Contractor Registration #C140184.
Which home remodeling project adds the most value in Central Iowa?
Kitchen remodels and basement finishing consistently deliver the strongest returns for Central Iowa homeowners, though the “best” project depends on your home’s current condition and your neighborhood.
A mid-range kitchen remodel typically recovers 50 to 75 percent of its cost at resale according to national cost-versus-value data, and kitchens are consistently the first space buyers evaluate.
Basement finishing is especially valuable in Iowa because nearly every home in the Des Moines metro has a full basement, yet a large percentage remain unfinished. Finishing that space adds usable square footage at a lower cost per square foot than building an addition. Keep in mind that finished basement space doesn’t count toward gross living area on a standard appraisal, but appraisers typically credit it at 60 to 75 percent of above-grade value.
Bathroom remodels and home additions also add strong value, particularly in neighborhoods where your home is smaller or less updated than comparable properties.
The smartest approach is to match your project to what your specific neighborhood demands rather than chasing national averages.
How do I get started with Busy Builders, and what happens during a consultation?
Call us at 844-435-9800 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
During that first meeting, we walk through your goals, assess your existing space, and talk honestly about what’s realistic for your budget and timeline.
We’ll point out things you might not have considered, like whether your electrical panel can handle a kitchen remodel without an upgrade, or whether your basement shows signs of moisture issues that need to be addressed before finishing.
Sometimes a remodel accomplishes what you thought required an addition, and sometimes building new makes more financial sense than extensive renovations.
After the consultation, we put together a detailed written estimate that breaks down every cost category, from materials and labor to permits and inspections. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for before any work begins. There’s no pressure and no obligation.
Since 2020 we have completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa. The process always starts with an honest conversation about what makes sense for your situation.
