West Des Moines Iowa
Construction & Remodeling
Your One Call Solution for Home Building and Remodeling in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa General Contractor
About Us
Busy Builders was founded in 2020 and is based at 111 S 49th St in West Des Moines. People with decades in the trades started the company to bring integrity and honesty back to remodeling and home building.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide the most transparent and honest experience possible when it comes to any construction project, whether that is a bathroom remodel or building your new home.
Our Vision
Our vision is simple, to grow and serve all of Iowa with our dedicated service to the remodeling industry, all starting with West Des Moines and the surrounding areas.
Building in West Des Moines and the Western Suburbs
West Des Moines is the largest suburb we serve and it spans four counties, which matters more than most homeowners expect. Which county your address falls in can change how a project is reviewed, so we confirm it at the start rather than assuming.
The city covers a very wide range of housing. Valley Junction holds genuine early-century homes with the framing and wiring to match. The Country Club and Ashworth areas are mid-century, usually solid but closed off by modern standards. Everything west of Jordan Creek is newer, where the work is basements, additions, and outdoor living rather than renovation.
Those three call for different conversations. On the older homes we plan for discovery. On the newer ones we plan for permits and covenants.
Footings go at least 42 inches deep to sit under Iowa’s frost line. On the older Valley Junction foundations we verify what is there before tying new structure into it.
We build across the western suburbs. Homeowners in Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, and Norwalk call us for the same work.
Planning a West Des Moines project? Call: 844-435-9800 for a written estimate.
Permit rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the City of West Des Moines before you commit to a budget or a timeline.
What each project costs and requires in West Des Moines
West Des Moines spans four counties and takes residential permit applications electronically through its City Access Portal. Its fee estimator, effective July 1, 2026, sets flat fees for jobs under $10,000 and valuation-based fees above that. Each card below gives a starting price where we publish one, the city’s rule for that work, and a fact specific to West Des Moines.
Home Building in West Des Moines
New homes with Busy Builders start at about $150 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area.
West Des Moines takes new home applications only through its online City Access Portal. The city charges a $60 Certificate of Occupancy fee and an $81 sewer tap fee where a new tap is needed. A stormwater erosion inspection fee starts at $154. Water connection costs come from West Des Moines Water Works, not the city.
What it costs to build a house in Iowa is the question homeowners search most before they call us.
Home Remodeling in West Des Moines
We price West Des Moines remodels with a written estimate, since walls, plumbing, wiring and finishes change the number on every job.
The city lists remodels among residential projects that need a permit. Jobs under $10,000 pay a $59.50 flat fee; at $10,000 or more the fee follows project valuation. Starting without a permit costs double, because the city adds an investigation fee equal to the permit fee. The oldest part of town, Valley Junction, has its own zoning districts.
Licensed subcontractors handle the electrical, plumbing and HVAC on our remodels.
Kitchen Remodeling in West Des Moines
Kitchen remodeling with Busy Builders starts at about $250 per square foot and typically runs 6 to 12 weeks. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area.
In West Des Moines, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work is permitted separately as sub-contractor permits through the City Access Portal. A remodel under $10,000 pays a $59.50 flat building fee.
Opening the wall behind a kitchen sink, our crews regularly find mold from years of a slow faucet leak. Tile, countertops, added outlets and plumbing moves are the costs owners most often underestimate.
Bathroom Remodeling in West Des Moines
Our bathroom quotes run from about $3,000 to $5,000 for a light hall bath refresh up to about $60,000 for a large primary suite. Most full remodels sit near $15,000 to $20,000. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area.
West Des Moines handles bath plumbing, electrical and mechanical work as separate sub-contractor permits, filed online. If the building side stays under $10,000, the remodel fee is a flat $59.50.
The usual reason a bathroom grows is scope added after the first estimate.
Basement Finishing in West Des Moines
Finishing a West Des Moines basement is priced by size, rooms, a bathroom, egress windows and radon work, so we quote it in writing.
The city lists basement finishes and egress windows as permit projects. Under $10,000 the building fee is a flat $59.50. At $10,000 or more, the city values finish space at $88.00 per square foot or uses the applicant’s figure, whichever is greater. A new bedroom needs an egress window with 5.7 square feet of clear opening.
Radon is very common on our Des Moines area basement jobs, so mitigation is part of the finish.
Basement Remodeling in West Des Moines
Reworking a finished basement in West Des Moines is priced after we see what is behind the walls, so the estimate comes in writing.
The city lists remodels and basement finishes as permit projects, with one fee line for both in existing homes. Under $10,000 it is a flat $59.50. Above that, the city uses $88.00 per square foot or the owner’s figure, whichever the Building Official finds greater. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work need separate sub-contractor permits through the City Access Portal.
Turning a rec room into a bedroom means adding an egress window, which is its own listed permit. It needs 5.7 square feet of clear opening and a sill no higher than 44 inches. Iowa HHS reports that about 5 in 7 Iowa homes test above the EPA radon action level of 4 pCi/L.
Behind old basement walls we most often find mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and unsafe wiring. Bought a home with an unpermitted basement? West Des Moines adds an investigation fee equal to the permit fee for work done without one.
Deck Building in West Des Moines
Deck prices in West Des Moines depend on size, height, material and stairs, so we give a written estimate.
The city lists decks and porches as permit projects, and a deck under $10,000 pays a flat $47.50 fee. Add a roof or screens and the flat fee becomes $60.50. Footings reach the city’s 42-inch frost depth. Out front, the zoning table lets an open deck or porch at least 6 feet deep reach 8 feet into the front setback.
Photos of our finished composite decks show black metal railings, one with an attached pergola.
Home Additions in West Des Moines
Additions with Busy Builders start at about $300 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. West Des Moines values new addition space at $175.92 per square foot to set its permit fee.
The two standard single-family districts are RS and R-1. RS keeps a 30-foot front yard, a 35-foot rear yard and side yards of at least 7 feet, 14 feet total. R-1 needs 35 feet front and rear, with 8-foot sides totaling 20. A street side yard is 20 feet, or 25 feet to a garage. Building projections may reach 2 feet into a setback.
On older platted lots, the front setback can match the average of the next-door houses. Footings go to the 42-inch frost depth. Under Iowa’s SF 592, an accessory dwelling unit can reach 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger.
We build storm shelters, safe rooms and attached garages on request as part of addition work.
Our Building Partners.
- Achievement
Your Project, Our Passion.
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa.
Quality Construction at the Right Price.
Additions
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Additional Story
- Tornado Shelter
- Living Room
- Bedroom
- Sunroom
- Bathroom
- Garage
- ADU
Kitchen Remodeling
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Countertops
- Appliances
- Cabinetry
- Backsplash
- Islands
- Lights
Home Building
Busy Builders starting rate. Your written estimate sets the final price.
- Custom Build
- Multi-Family
- Tiny Home
- Spec Build
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Construction & Remodeling in West Des Moines, IA
What types of home additions are popular in West Des Moines?
Homeowners in West Des Moines often expand kitchens, add bedrooms, or create sunrooms to fit growing families.
We design additions that blend seamlessly with your existing home while increasing comfort and long-term value.
Do you design and build decks in West Des Moines, IA?
Yes. We create custom decks that enhance outdoor living in West Des Moines.
From low-maintenance composite materials to high-end wood designs, we build decks that are both stylish and durable.
Is West Des Moines a good place for new home construction?
Absolutely. West Des Moines is one of Iowa’s most desirable areas, offering both established neighborhoods and new developments.
We build custom homes that fit the community’s standards while reflecting your personal style.
Can you remodel kitchens in West Des Moines homes?
Yes. Kitchen remodels are among the top upgrades for West Des Moines homeowners.
We design open layouts, custom cabinetry, and modern finishes that balance beauty with functionality.
How long does a basement remodel typically take in West Des Moines?
Most basement remodels take between 6 to 10 weeks depending on the design and features.
We provide clear timelines and ensure every space is built with moisture protection and lasting quality.
Why choose a local contractor in West Des Moines instead of a larger company?
A local contractor understands West Des Moines building codes, neighborhoods, and market expectations.
With decades of experience in Central Iowa, we deliver reliable craftsmanship and personal service you can trust.
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