Pleasant Hill Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Pleasant Hill, Iowa General Contractor
About Us
Established in 2020, Busy Builders has served more than 1,285 Central Iowa homeowners. We bring decades of combined trade experience to projects in Pleasant Hill and throughout Polk County. As Iowa-registered contractors, we understand local building codes, permit processes, and the specific characteristics of growing suburban 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.
Full-Service Construction And Remodeling In Pleasant Hill
New home construction in Pleasant Hill, IA. This fast-growing Polk County city of 10,147 residents (2020 census) incorporated in 1956 and received its own ZIP code (50327) in 2005. Located on Des Moines’ east side along the Highway 163 corridor, Pleasant Hill offers suburban living with easy downtown access. The city has more than 500 acres available for mixed-use development along Highway 163. We build custom homes with foundations designed for Iowa’s 42-inch frost line, energy-efficient systems, and quality finishes suited to this rapidly expanding community.
Complete home remodeling in Pleasant Hill, IA. The city has nearly doubled in population since 2000 (from 5,070 to over 12,500 estimated in 2025), creating diverse housing stock spanning multiple decades. With proximity to Adventureland, Prairie Meadows, and the Des Moines metro, homeowners invest in properties for long-term enjoyment. Whether you’re updating a 1970s ranch or modernizing a 1990s two-story, we understand each era’s construction methods and can transform your home while respecting its structure.
Kitchen remodeling in Pleasant Hill, IA addresses both infrastructure and design needs. Many Pleasant Hill kitchens from the 1970s through 1990s have layouts that don’t suit modern family living. We assess structural requirements before opening walls, upgrade electrical systems to current NEC standards with dedicated circuits, and ensure plumbing meets 2021 UPC requirements. With median household incomes around $86,890 and steady growth, Pleasant Hill homeowners regularly invest in kitchen upgrades.
Basement remodeling in Pleasant Hill, IA requires understanding local conditions and radon risks. Polk County falls within EPA Radon Zone 1, with predicted indoor screening levels above 4 pCi/L. We recommend professional radon testing before any basement work. Mitigation systems installed during remodeling typically cost $800-1,500, whereas those installed during retrofits cost significantly more. Older Pleasant Hill homes may have foundations that require a moisture assessment before finishing.
Bathroom remodeling in Pleasant Hill, IA often reveals aging infrastructure in older homes. Cast iron drain lines, galvanized supply pipes, and inadequate ventilation are common in pre-1980s construction. Modern bathroom remodels require proper ventilation per IRC standards (50 CFM minimum for bathrooms under 100 square feet). We inspect existing plumbing conditions before providing estimates and coordinate all required permits through the City’s Building Division.
Home additions in Pleasant Hill, IA require permits through City Hall at 5160 Maple Drive, Suite A. Contact (515) 309-9461 for building permit information or apply online through Citizenserve at pleasanthilliowa.org. A permit is required for all new construction, remodels, additions, basement finishes, garages, sheds, decks, fences, and pools. All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits must be applied for by a State Registered Contractor. We coordinate all permits and inspections for additions.
Basement finishing in Pleasant Hill, IA converts unused square footage into valuable living space. Per IRC requirements, basement bedrooms must have egress windows with minimum 5.7 square feet of opening, 24-inch minimum width, and maximum 44-inch sill height. Proper insulation (R-10 continuous or R-13 cavity for basement walls per Iowa code), vapor barriers, and dehumidification are essential given Iowa’s humidity and temperature extremes.
Deck building in Pleasant Hill, IA enhances outdoor living in this growing suburb. With convenient access to Des Moines metro attractions and a strong sense of community, Pleasant Hill homeowners value quality outdoor spaces. Building permits are required through City Hall at (515) 309-9461. Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles demand proper footing depth (42 inches minimum) and pressure-treated lumber or composite materials rated for our climate.
Building in Pleasant Hill and the East Side
Pleasant Hill has roughly 10,147 residents and sits along Highway 163 on the east edge of Des Moines. City permitting runs through 515-262-9368. Confirm what your project needs before you commit to a start date.
Pleasant Hill is unusual because it grew outward onto rolling ground rather than flat farmland. Slope is the defining site condition here. It makes walkout basements genuinely achievable on lots where other suburbs cannot offer them. It makes drainage and retaining work a real line item rather than an afterthought.
We price the grading honestly. A walkout on a good slope is one of the best value additions in Central Iowa. A walkout forced onto the wrong lot is an expensive way to get a window.
Footings need 42 inches minimum to sit below Iowa’s frost line. On a graded lot we confirm we are bearing on undisturbed soil rather than fill.
We build across the east side. Homeowners in Altoona, Des Moines, Bondurant, and Polk City call us for the same work.
Got a sloped lot in Pleasant Hill? Call: 844-435-9800 and we will tell you what it can take.
Permit rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the City of Pleasant Hill before you commit to a budget or a timeline.
Our Building Partners.
- Achievement
Your Dream, Our Passion.
Since 2020, more than 1,285 Central Iowa homeowners have trusted us with their projects, and it shows.
Quality Construction at the Right Price.
Additions
Based on Average Pricing in Pleasant Hill.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Based on Average Pricing in Pleasant Hill.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Windows
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Based on Average Pricing in Pleasant Hill.
- Dream Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Pleasant Hill, IA
How do building permits work in Pleasant Hill?
The City of Pleasant Hill Building Division handles permits at 5160 Maple Drive, Suite A, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327.
Contact (515) 309-9461 for building permits or (515) 262-9368 for general City Hall inquiries.
The city uses Citizenserve for online permit applications at pleasanthilliowa.org.
A permit is required for all new construction, remodels, additions, basement finishes, garages, sheds, decks, fences, pools, signs, and all electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
What building codes does Pleasant Hill follow?
Pleasant Hill operates under Iowa State building codes, including the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
Iowa’s frost line depth of 42 inches applies to all foundation work.
All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits must be applied for by a State-registered contractor.
Which school district serves Pleasant Hill?
Two school districts serve Pleasant Hill.
Most of the city falls within the Des Moines Public Schools district, which operates Pleasant Hill Elementary.
Newer portions are served by Southeast Polk Community School District, which operates Four Mile Elementary and Southeast Polk Junior and Senior High Schools in Pleasant Hill.
Southeast Polk teams are known as the Rams (Runnells, Altoona, Mitchellville Schools), and the district enrolls over 7,200 students across 11 schools.
What's the housing market like in Pleasant Hill?
Pleasant Hill has approximately 10,147 residents (2020 census), with estimates reaching 12,500 in 2025.
The city has nearly doubled since 2000 (from 5,070).
Median household income is approximately $86,890.
About 70.8% of homes are owner-occupied.
The median age is 41.1 years.
The city has seen increasing diversity with 6.4% Hispanic/Latino and 3.5% Black/African American residents.
How far is Pleasant Hill from downtown Des Moines?
Pleasant Hill is approximately 8 miles east of downtown Des Moines (about 15 minutes) via Highway 163.
The city offers easy commuter access while providing suburban amenities.
Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) provides public transportation service.
Busy Builders serves Pleasant Hill from our West Des Moines base.
What makes Pleasant Hill unique for homeowners?
Pleasant Hill was incorporated in 1956 and is one of the fastest-growing suburbs on Des Moines’ east side.
The city received its own ZIP code (50327) in 2005.
With more than 500 acres available for development along the Highway 163 corridor, Pleasant Hill continues to expand with new commercial services and housing.
The city offers proximity to Adventureland theme park and Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, plus easy access to 11 colleges and universities within 35 miles.
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