Sully, Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in Sully, Iowa.
Sully, Iowa General Contractor

About Us
Established in 2020, Busy Builders was founded to bring integrity and honesty back to remodeling and homebuilding. We serve Sully and all of Jasper County, from small bathroom updates to complete custom home builds. This small rural community deserves contractors who deliver quality work and honest service, even for projects in towns where some contractors won’t travel.
Our Mission
Provide the most transparent and honest experience possible for any construction project. Sully homeowners deserve contractors who show up when promised, communicate clearly, and deliver quality work at fair prices.
Our Vision
To serve all of Central Iowa with dedicated construction services, from West Des Moines through Jasper County and beyond.
Full-Service Construction And Remodeling in Sully
Home building in Sully goes through the city, not the county, which makes it unusual in Jasper County. The city code requires a construction permit before any structure is erected, and Sully appoints its own Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator. Because the city code names no I-code edition, we confirm the standard with the inspector at 641-594-3493 before design. Home building starts at $150 per square foot, and final costs vary by scope, materials and complexity.


Home remodeling in Sully needs a construction permit any time a structure is reconstructed or structurally altered. That language is broad, so we ask the city inspector early rather than guessing. Sully posts 16 permit forms, including construction, demolition, house moving, excavation and variance. That is more paperwork organization than most towns this size offer. Fees are set by council resolution and are not published, so call 641-594-3493 for a current figure.
Kitchen remodeling in Sully triggers the city permit once you alter structure, move a wall or change a gas line. The application goes to the city at 641-594-3493, and the city’s own inspector reviews it. No I-code edition is named in the Sully code, so we confirm expectations before we order anything. We lay out clearances on the floor before cabinets go on order. Kitchen remodeling starts at $250 per square foot, and final costs vary by scope, materials and complexity.


Basement remodeling in Sully answers to the city inspector rather than the county, and the code chapter names no edition. That does not remove the fundamentals. A bedroom needs an egress opening of 5.7 square feet net clear, and habitable ceiling height runs 7 feet minimum. We design to those numbers and confirm the inspector’s expectations at 641-594-3493 before drywall is ordered. We measure ceiling height on the first visit. A certificate of occupancy follows completion.
Bathroom remodeling in Sully, IA. Sully appoints its own building inspector and zoning administrator, which is unusual for a town of 881 this far out. The permit goes to the city at 641-594-3493 rather than to a county office. Fees come from a council resolution and are not published, so we pin down a current figure before we price. In the room, fixture clearances get laid out on the floor first, then the rough-in gets booked before a wall closes.


Home additions in Sully need a city construction permit, because an addition reconstructs and structurally alters the house. Sully names no adopted I-code edition, so we set the standard with the inspector at 641-594-3493 up front rather than arguing about it later. Footings go below 42 inches. We build additional stories, sunrooms, garages, ADUs and tornado shelters. Additions start at $300 per square foot, and final costs vary by scope, materials and complexity.
Basement finishing in Sully, IA. The Sully code names no I-code edition at all, so we start from the numbers that hold everywhere. Iowa homes average 8.5 pCi/L of indoor radon against 1.3 nationally, and about 5 in 7 sit above the EPA action level. We test before we frame, because mitigating through a finished floor costs far more later. Then we confirm the inspector’s expectations at 641-594-3493, since Sully appoints its own rather than sending you elsewhere.


Deck building in Sully has a rule worth knowing. No permit is needed to repair or replace a deck, stoop, steps, porch or fence if it keeps the same dimensions and basic design. Change the size or the layout and the permit comes back. New decks get a city construction permit at 641-594-3493. Footings go below the 42 inch frost line, and we flash the ledger and set guard height carefully either way.
Building in Sully, the Jasper County Exception
Sully is the outlier in Jasper County. Everywhere else in the county, the building code question ends at Jasper County Ordinance 40D and its 2006 code books. Sully runs its own show. The city code creates the position of Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator, appointed by the council. It requires a construction permit before any structure is erected, reconstructed or structurally altered. Call the city at 641-594-3493 or stop by 318 6th Avenue.Here is the honest part. The Sully code contains no adopted I-code chapter at all. There is no edition to name, which differs from the rest of the county and from Marshalltown, where the 2021 editions apply. So on a Sully job we ask the city inspector which standard applies. We build to current residential practice as the floor.Two local rules are worth knowing. No permit is needed to repair or replace a stoop, steps, deck, porch or fence if it keeps the same dimensions and basic design. A certificate of occupancy is applied for alongside the building permit, then issued within 10 days of completion. Fees are set by council resolution and are not published on the city site.Sully sits about 51 road miles from Des Moines, right at the edge of where we work. Call Busy Builders at 844-435-9800. Permit rules and fees change, so confirm both before you commit to a budget.
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 Sully.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Based on Average Pricing in Sully.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Windows
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Based on Average Pricing in Sully.
- Dream Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in Sully, IA
Does Sully use the same 2006 code as the rest of Jasper County?
No. The Sully city code contains no adopted I-code chapter at all, so there is no edition to name. The rest of Jasper County runs the 2006 books under Ordinance 40D, and neighboring Marshalltown runs the 2021 editions. Sully sits outside both answers. Ask the city inspector at 641-594-3493 which standard applies to your project before you have plans drawn.
Who inspects construction in Sully?
The city does. Sully code creates the position of Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator, appointed by the council, and that person handles both roles. Most Jasper County towns rely on the county building department instead. Reach the city at 318 6th Avenue or 641-594-3493. Having a local inspector often means faster scheduling, which is a real advantage on a tight timeline.
Can I replace my deck in Sully without a permit?
Yes, if you keep it the same. Sully requires no permit to repair or replace a stoop, steps, deck, porch or fence provided the dimensions and basic design stay the same. Widen it, move it or change the layout and you need a construction permit. Call 641-594-3493 and describe the work before you order material. It is a short call that avoids a stop work order.
What does a Sully building permit cost?
Fees are set by council resolution and are not published on the city site. Nobody should quote you a number off a web page. Call the city at 641-594-3493 and ask for the current resolution. Sully posts 16 permit forms, including construction, demolition, house moving, excavation and variance. Ask which ones your scope needs while you have someone on the phone.
Is Sully too far for Busy Builders to serve?
No, but it is close to the line. Sully sits about 51 road miles from Des Moines, right at the edge of where we work. We are straightforward about that because travel affects scheduling and crew days. For a full remodel, an addition or a new home, the distance is workable. For a very small job, we will tell you honestly if it does not pencil.
When do I get a certificate of occupancy in Sully?
You apply for it alongside the building permit, which surprises people who expect it at the end. The city then issues it within 10 days of completion. Plan for that in your move in schedule, especially on a new home. Ask the city at 641-594-3493 what the inspector needs to see before signing off, so nothing holds up the date.
- Our Articles
Home Building & Remodeling Blogs for Sully, IA

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